- Be sure to scroll down and read the Crosstown Preview that Al, from Bleed Cubbie Blue, and I did.
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How important is the White Sox hot start?
I recently came across an article at Baseball Think Factory, that highlighted the predicted winning percentages for the remainder of the season solely based on the first 40 games. At first I couldn't figure out how I missed such an article, considering I visit Baseball Think Factory every day. Then I scrolled down and read the comments. It's an article from before last season, so I have to thank Zataod, from Trying to empty the mind, for his post that brought the article to my attention.
Essentially, the article states that teams who get off to hot starts are generally good one, but they don't continue to win at the same rate. Perhaps forebodingly, I should point out this one statement.
But there were also some clunkers who got off to hot starts. At least, several of these teams are far less than world beaters. Consider the 1907 Giants (started 28-12, then went 54-59, for an 82-71 record), the 1912 White Sox (28-12, 50-64; 78-76), the 1951 White Sox (29-11, 52-62; 81-73), the 1972 Mets (29-11, 54-62; 83-73), and the 2001 Twins (28-12, 57-65; 85-77).Two of the White Sox hottest starts turned out to be flame outs. - The guys at FutureSox.com have used their connections to give us a nice interview with 2004 supplemental round draft pick Tyler Lumsden.
- I recently came across this blog, written presumably in japanese. Google translates the name of the blog to "It will be blown in the wind of the Michigan lake." The reason I came across it was they had an entry on their visit to USCF to see Iguchi. Here's a link to google's translation of the same page. Unfortunately, this doesn't make what she has to say any clearer.
- Finally, I doubt any of you saw it, but last night gave us more reason to be upset at Hunter Wendelstedt. In the Nationals-Brewers game, bottom of the ninth inning, with the score tied 0-0, Brad Wilkerson leaned into a slow curveball to be awarded first base. Here's how a Nat's fan called it:
Brewers pitcher Chris Capuano was equally dominating, pitching 8 1/3 innings and only giving up 5 hits while striking out 6. In fairness, the winning run shouldn't have ever reached base. Capuano through an 84 mph1-2 breaking ball a little inside, and Brad Wilkerson stuck his right elbow several inches into the strike zone to let himself get hit. It should have been called "no pitch." Surprisingly, no one on the Brewers team complained.Kerwin Danley was the home plate umpire of that game.
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