Doubleheader Interlude / Rangers-Twins GameThread: How the White Sox Can Maximize Their Chances to Win the Division

by larry on Sep 4, 2010 4:01 PM CDT

A few small suggestions:

A White Sox game should never end with Carlos Quentin or Mark Teahen wearing a glove. With Andruw Jones and Alejandro De Aza on the roster, there should always be an outfielder available to come in as a defensive replacement. Similarly, with Brent Morel now added, there should always be a third baseman available to replace Teahen.
Bat Gordon Beckham higher in the order. Beckham is one of the best hitters on the White Sox. You don't bat one of your best hitters ninth. Whether it's back to 2nd or simply a few spots higher, it's time to get the most plate appearances from your best hitters.
Ignore the feelings of the relievers. The bullpen hasn't been good recently. They don't deserve the courtesy of a quiet bullpen when they are pitching. With expanded rosters, Ozzie shouldn't be afraid to have another reliever warming - particularly in high leverage situations - in case an implosion occurs.
Pitch John Danks on short rest on Wednesday. Due to today's doubleheader, the White Sox will either need to pitch Danks or Gavin Floyd on short rest or use Carlos "Tony" Harrell. The latter is replacement level. In September and in a pennant chase, you can't afford to send replacement level to the mound to start. Danks threw 103 pitches. Assuming his hamstring cramp is minor, he shouldn't have a problem pitching on short rest. Gavin the Tiger-killer is also an acceptable option. Short rest does not reduce either of them to replacement level. Arm fatigue concerns give way to wins in the September and whoever goes would have an extra day's rest prior to his next start, due to the off day on 9/13.

Tweet Comment 55 comments | 1 recs |

Do you like this story?

Comments

is it known yet if Freddy will be ready for his next start?

if not then pitching Danks or Gavin on short rest may not be an option

Oz on Swish HR celeb: "That's the way he is. Good for him, enjoy it. I wish he could do it for me, he was a very horseshit player for me.''

by OznCoop on Sep 4, 2010 4:08 PM CDT reply actions

i don't see how that would affect things. if anything, that would make it more likely one of them would pitch on short rest because lucas "carlos" pena would have to go on tuesday.

in any event, freddy is supposedly fine for his start.

by larry on Sep 4, 2010 4:10 PM CDT up reply actions

I want this interlude to be over already, fuck the twins for winning.

"Because he's a (bleeping, bleep), that's what he is," Guillen said at the time of West (after Buehrle and Guillen ejected because of the balks) FUCK YOU JOE WEST
On Twitter? Follow my occasional rants about whatever...

by chisoxfan1473 on Sep 4, 2010 4:09 PM CDT reply actions

I think you keep Denard Robinson out there

"We are strong enough as we are and everything fits together in such a way that the only thing we were going to add would be something of an impact guy," KW

by ChicagoPete on Sep 4, 2010 4:11 PM CDT via mobile reply actions

THIS.

by The Actual El Guapo on Sep 4, 2010 4:13 PM CDT up reply actions

I lloooooove college football

At a bar watching Meechigan and scouting ND. I’m going next week and dare I say we shall bring home a glorious victory GO BLUE

"We are strong enough as we are and everything fits together in such a way that the only thing we were going to add would be something of an impact guy," KW

by ChicagoPete on Sep 4, 2010 4:24 PM CDT via mobile up reply actions

hella this.

Fireworks: Bang?

by colintj on Sep 4, 2010 4:15 PM CDT via mobile up reply actions

the time in between this double header is too long

i am sitting here rocking out to material girl by madonna.

Kenwo4life=ratings

by KenWo4LiFe on Sep 4, 2010 4:12 PM CDT reply actions

you are one strange cat

Oz on Swish HR celeb: "That's the way he is. Good for him, enjoy it. I wish he could do it for me, he was a very horseshit player for me.''

by OznCoop on Sep 4, 2010 4:13 PM CDT up reply actions

x

Kenwo4life=ratings

by KenWo4LiFe on Sep 4, 2010 4:14 PM CDT up reply actions

Fuck the Twins with Kirby Puckett's bronze statue.

I am really despising them. They’re making Kinsler, Young, and Guerrero look like 3 Kotsays out there.

When life gives ya lemons, shut up and eat your damn lemons.

by P-Townfan on Sep 4, 2010 4:13 PM CDT reply actions

The statue

is all that’s left of Kirby. Hopefully there’s a statue of Mauer up on Monday.

by Gentleman Jim on Sep 4, 2010 4:14 PM CDT up reply actions

ugh

i am a bark for buffeting. i am a hound for thornypaws. i am a doe for swiftness. i am a tree for wind-siege. i am a windmill. i am a hole in a wall.

by BuehrleMan on Sep 4, 2010 4:20 PM CDT up reply actions

To quote Mr. Sox Machine

In Minnesota – Kirby’s statue Fucks you! In the bathroom.

Theain is the guy I Just can’t stand! pierre is almost as bad,he dose get on base more. If Quntin gets any worse trade him. WE NEED HELP!

by 67WMAQ on Sep 4, 2010 4:21 PM CDT up reply actions

so.....How Bout Them Dawgs!

55-7! now that is winning a football game. too bad florida sucked in their opener…oh wait, no, thats fantastic!

"Sure I steal bases. I just like to do it 4 at a time." -Konerko-

by oneloyaldawg on Sep 4, 2010 4:18 PM CDT reply actions

Florida sucking in their opener is not fantastic.

It’s FAN-FUCKING-TASTIC!

by chisoxfan1473 on Sep 4, 2010 4:19 PM CDT up reply actions

i love you...is that appropriate? if not, then i still love you

"Sure I steal bases. I just like to do it 4 at a time." -Konerko-

by oneloyaldawg on Sep 4, 2010 4:20 PM CDT up reply actions

there's something to be said for the thrill of inappropriateness.

by chisoxfan1473 on Sep 4, 2010 4:25 PM CDT up reply actions

it was LA Lafayette

how is that impressive?

When I was a kid, I didn't want to be a doctor or a fireman. I wanted to be Super Mario. It's the most literal pipe dream I've ever had.

by U-God on Sep 4, 2010 5:55 PM CDT up reply actions

because our backups were doing that for most of the 2nd half. Richt doesnt believe in running up the score, and even the 3rd string was scoring

just ask ole miss what it means to trounce your cupcake opener, oh wait…they dont know. they lost to jax state!

"Sure I steal bases. I just like to do it 4 at a time." -Konerko-

by oneloyaldawg on Sep 4, 2010 6:22 PM CDT up reply actions

i still see nothing to get giddy about

your back-ups beat the sunbelt.

my school beat ucla.

When I was a kid, I didn't want to be a doctor or a fireman. I wanted to be Super Mario. It's the most literal pipe dream I've ever had.

by U-God on Sep 4, 2010 7:07 PM CDT up reply actions

oh yah!

well your school is ugly!

/sulks in corner
//waits for neuheisel to buy some better players
///braces self for inevitable NCAA sanctions

-Jeeves Life in the Cell

by jeeves on Sep 4, 2010 10:55 PM CDT up reply actions

9-0 Twinn on anotha Thome bomb...

Can we get back to White Sox based balls already?

by chisoxfan1473 on Sep 4, 2010 4:23 PM CDT reply actions

Sox can maximize chances to win the division only if Twins agree and decide to lose a few games

Mark Teahen peed in my canteen.

by SavePeavytill2010 on Sep 4, 2010 4:24 PM CDT reply actions

Anybody got a Joe Mauer voodoo doll?

Seriously, screw both these teams. The Sox vs. Sawx game at 6 should be better.

When life gives ya lemons, shut up and eat your damn lemons.

by P-Townfan on Sep 4, 2010 4:37 PM CDT up reply actions

I tried the Morneau doll, Kubel doll etc. doesn't matter, they still win

Mark Teahen peed in my canteen.

by SavePeavytill2010 on Sep 4, 2010 4:42 PM CDT up reply actions

show me on the doll where they twins'd you

"Sportsmanship is just loser talk for losing."

by boyonthedock on Sep 4, 2010 4:48 PM CDT up reply actions 1 recs

Did Lewin just call Thome a lummox

by 3E8 on Sep 4, 2010 4:26 PM CDT reply actions

because "Faulknerian Idiot Man-Child" was too wordy.

Theain is the guy I Just can’t stand! pierre is almost as bad,he dose get on base more. If Quntin gets any worse trade him. WE NEED HELP!

by 67WMAQ on Sep 4, 2010 4:27 PM CDT up reply actions 2 recs

That's actually not far from the truth

Know some people he went to high school with the town over from mine.

When life gives ya lemons, shut up and eat your damn lemons.

by P-Townfan on Sep 4, 2010 4:37 PM CDT up reply actions

Joke's on them. Dumb as bricks...

…but he can hit a baseball very far. He can probably buy Peoria three times over.

Theain is the guy I Just can’t stand! pierre is almost as bad,he dose get on base more. If Quntin gets any worse trade him. WE NEED HELP!

by 67WMAQ on Sep 4, 2010 5:02 PM CDT up reply actions

It still hurts me to see him in a Twins uniform.

No.. I’m NOT crying… just some dust in my eye…

"Fuck fangraphs and your fancy designer stats can go pound some hard sand"- Billyok

by DrEmilioLizardo on Sep 4, 2010 5:06 PM CDT up reply actions

yea... i actually feel good for him that he passed mcsteroid on the HR list

but god I hate the team that hes on.

SSS: it has a double meaning.

by Jackkoho on Sep 4, 2010 5:08 PM CDT up reply actions

for your information there's an inflammation in my tear gland

-Jeeves Life in the Cell

by jeeves on Sep 4, 2010 10:57 PM CDT up reply actions

i'm making a lasagna

for one

When I was a kid, I didn't want to be a doctor or a fireman. I wanted to be Super Mario. It's the most literal pipe dream I've ever had.

by U-God on Sep 5, 2010 1:30 AM CDT up reply actions

He is a jug-eared, stump-jumping motherfucker.

FJTITA.

I guess one man's pain in the ass is another’s perfect fit.
by mick10 on Sep 1, 2010 2:39 PM EDT

by winningugly on Sep 5, 2010 7:37 AM CDT up reply actions

Texas, you are a piece of shit.

That is all.

"Sarcastic little bitch. I’m gonna marry her just to make her miserable." - South Side Expat

by RWShow on Sep 4, 2010 4:40 PM CDT reply actions

Thanks, larry. I hope Lilli relays this to Ozzie.

"I became an optimist when I discovered that I wasn't going to win any more games by being anything else."
Earl Weaver

by Chiburb on Sep 4, 2010 5:44 PM CDT via mobile reply actions

I come bearing bad news for fans of the Red Sox, White Sox, Cardinals, Rockies, and great September pennant races. Barring a comeback of historic proportions, the eight playoff berths are virtually locked up with the exception of the NL wild card.

The Yankees, Rays, Twins, Rangers, Braves, Reds and Padres all began September holding a playoff position by a lead of at least four games (including a fallback wild-card lead for Atlanta). That doesn’t sound like much of a lock, until you understand some of the history of the 14 full seasons (1996-2009) under the six-division, wild card format:

• September comebacks, no matter how small, are rare: only 19 of the 112 playoff teams (17 percent) did not hold at least a share of a playoff spot on Sept. 1.

• Big September comebacks — even modestly big — are shockingly rare: only one of 112 playoff teams was more than 3-½ games out of playoff spot on Sept. 1: the 2007 Rockies, who were five out. And all they had to do to get in was finish 14-1, including a tight win in a one-game playoff.

There is an old theory that you best keep within one game of a playoff spot for every week left in the season. But even that doesn’t sound urgent enough given such a history.

(Disclaimer Department: You might recall the 2007 Phillies trailed the Mets by seven games with 17 to play and won their division. True enough. But this is only a Sept. 1 snapshot to help you understand what defines a big last-month comeback. The 2007 Phillies were two games back on Sept. 1.)

Today, the White Sox trail the Twins by three in the loss column and still play Minnesota three more times — at home. So yes, Chicago still has a fighting chance (coolstandings.com gives the Sox a 17.4 percent chance at reaching the postseason), but the point is that it would take the kind of September comeback that almost never happens.

If the pattern holds up, the AL will have only one September comeback among its last 16 playoff teams since 2007 (the 2009 Twins), and baseball will have no team from the Chicago and Los Angeles markets (including the Angels) in the postseason for the first time since 2001.

by larry on Sep 4, 2010 5:48 PM CDT reply actions

how about a subject line, chief.

I photoshopped a boner on the security guard but it's too dark to see --- billyok

by mick10 on Sep 4, 2010 6:24 PM CDT up reply actions 5 recs

If Manny is not to be played the first day he is eligble to play for us because he is "tired"

Danks should not be pitched on short rest. Fox of the Twins provided needed help yesterday. Broadway even bailed us out in 2008. Harrell/Torres need to rise up. It’s a 25 man team.

I guess one man's pain in the ass is another’s perfect fit.
by mick10 on Sep 1, 2010 2:39 PM EDT

by winningugly on Sep 4, 2010 8:20 PM CDT reply actions

oh for fucks sake old man

you are softer than stool after you take your daily dose of ensure. he could go one time on short rest. man up. you saw the great ted lyons pitch on 2 days rest multiple times.

Kenwo4life=ratings

by KenWo4LiFe on Sep 4, 2010 10:16 PM CDT up reply actions

it's actually a 30 man team.

by larry on Sep 4, 2010 10:41 PM CDT up reply actions

So my point is made even more.

Time to man up, kids.

I guess one man's pain in the ass is another’s perfect fit.
by mick10 on Sep 1, 2010 2:39 PM EDT

by winningugly on Sep 5, 2010 7:38 AM CDT up reply actions

yes. i'm sure it's the lack of manning up that causes those players to not be good at major league baseball.

silly me for thinking it’s talent that’s the determining factor.

by larry on Sep 5, 2010 9:57 AM CDT up reply actions

Luuuuuuke hasn't had much of a shot at it yet.

So far he looks OK. Give. Him. That. Shot.

If Danks pitches well I’ll retract my objection. For now – it stands. Twinn are deeper than us in the MiL, sure, but if a guy named Fox can be thrown in and pitch decently for 5+ innings why not Harrell.

I guess one man's pain in the ass is another’s perfect fit.
by mick10 on Sep 1, 2010 2:39 PM EDT

by winningugly on Sep 5, 2010 11:46 AM CDT up reply actions

7 walks per 9 is a pretty low standard for "OK"

by larry on Sep 5, 2010 12:03 PM CDT up reply actions

SSS.

(Yeah, he’s walking that tightrope. And got lucky.) Keep him on a short leash and throw Carlos in there if needed. Would rather save Danks’ arm and let Jackson go on 4 days when we need it more.

I guess one man's pain in the ass is another’s perfect fit.
by mick10 on Sep 1, 2010 2:39 PM EDT

by winningugly on Sep 5, 2010 12:57 PM CDT up reply actions