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Far too often we see backseat managers on here that think they can manage the team better than TLR. Despite not knowing the inner workings of the team or how players are feeling, they think they know what is best for the team. The Sox have been decimated by injuries, but the team has still performed damn well. Tony gets a lot of unnecessary hate on here. It's time he gets some appreciation for how well the team has performed in the face of great adversity. The players also seem to love and respect him.

The Chicago White Sox are now 4-0 vs. the Cubs this season. They will attempt to extend their current winning streak to three games later this evening. Projected Starters: The White Sox will send RHP Lance Lynn (10-3, an AL leading 2.20 ERA among qualified starters, 130 2/3 IP, 145 Ks), who despite pitching well in August (2.86 ERA, 1.045 Ratio) is without a decision. The Cubs will counter with RHP Alec Mills (5-6. 4.76 ERA, 81 1/3 IP, 62 Ks), who pitched out of the bullpen until joining the rotation on June 15th. This will be Alec's first appearance against the White Sox. Starting Lineups: Will be posted when available this afternoon. Bullpen Availability: (# Pitches in last appearance(s) on F = Friday, Th = Thursday, W = Wednesday, T = Tuesday) The Chicago Cubs did not play on Thursday, Adrian Sampson (37 F), Michael Rucker (40 F) and Ryan Meisinger (30 F) will likely not be available tonight. The Chicago White Sox have the following anticipated bullpen availability: Available: Bummer (27 W), Hendriks (29 T), Ruiz (11 W), Tepera (8 Th). Likely Available: Kopech (27 Th). Likely Out: Crochet (18 F & 8 Th). Out: Kimbrel (24 F & 6 Th), Lopez (59 F), Wright Jr. (29 F). White Sox Position Player Availability: Barring any roster moves today, the Sox have three bench players. Tony La Russa announced Friday Seby Zavala will catch tonight. Jake Lamb and Brian Goodwin were the other two Friday reserves. I have not heard an official pronouncement regarding Yasmani Grandal's availability to start at DH or 1B, or to PH, as the team navigates his return to full health. Zack Collins cannot return to the White Sox until 10 days after his Friday option (Tuesday, September 8th in Oakland, The Field of Screams). Final Thoughts: Outside of Dallas Keuchel angst, the Friday game thread went well given the circumstances. Let us all strive to continue with positive thoughts and commentary, and remember we are all in this together. The team is here for us to enjoy, and we are here to support the team. Thank you for reading, and I hope we enjoy another White Sox victory. Go Sox! Eh Cumpari, ci vo sunari Can you dig it? Yes I can...

1 inning 7 hits and a walk against a minor league line up, and yanking him is gutsy? If anything was gutsy, it was letting start the 2nd, thankfully he either came ro his senses or someone awoke him from his nap.

The Sox have thrust him into situations he’s just not comfortable in. 8th inning situations and then a seven run lead over a team like the Cubs. You can see it in his eyes. He’s trying, but he’s a future HOF reliever, and it’s almost like asking Abreu to play shortstop. On paper having he and Liam back-to-back in the late innings sounds great, but obviously in reality, it’s not working.

Well, I once thought keeping Orlando Hernandez on a playoff roster over Brandon McCarthy made no sense as Hernandez had lost his rotation spot as was genuinely bad down the stretch….

Age shit? You have been doing it for years. People of all ages take naps.And then you do age shit here. You really have no idea what you are talking about. Now go get stoned and tell everyone how coll you are.

10-12 losses? Wow, I had no idea he cost the team THAT many games. Imagine if Soxtalk was the manager. 87-43 record, on pace for 108 wins and 54 losses. Mercy!

Props to the injury management TLR. Its been great. The 10-12 losses by bad bullpen TLR management...not so great.

well we won 2 in a row so we gotta make sure we put out a shit lineup today to kill momentum.

I was really hoping that it was because ron was retiring.

Did I miss the "Yermin Mercedes Appreciation Thread"?

Not quite but pretty close. Sick burn though.

Weird seeing ageist shit from someone clearly older themself. Every manager in the game would have had a vet come out for the 2nd, few would "wake up" and pull them as quickly as the "tired" TLR. Now get your nap in before the game gramps.

Think ahead and be optimistic. Many more pinch hitting needs in the WS w/o DH.

Can we please see a shutout today? That’s about the best thing I could hope for at this point. 6 IP from Lynn and then a shut down scoreless 7th, 8th, and 9th. Here’s your cherry White Sox.

I don't understand the need to rest either Eloy or Robert. They are young players. Why do they need a rest especially when they spent months not playing? I know they were rehabbing with their injuries, but they were still not playing. The team is well rested already and off days are coming. Enough of the resting already. LaRussa should put his best lineup out there. Some rest can come after the clinching.

I don't really care what Kimbrel does up 7 in the 9th in an insanely high scoring game like tonight. Got two quick outs, stumbled for 3 batters, then finished it up with a K. Let's see how he does his next few outings.

He looked really good in that field of dreams game. And he got squeezed and was kind of the victim of bad luck in that Rays game. But he was likely going to work his way out of it until Tony messed up. He gave up a home run to Aaron Judge. Judge was on a tear at that moment. I honestly don't put much stock in this outing.

Put Lamb in for Eloy. Don’t even risk injury with him in a game that’s not going to be won.

Lynn wasnt even looking home he was going to 1st regardless of Sebi

Well that was one glorious line up day. RIP 8.27.21.

Maybe you are right and Renteira or any other manager, or even Soxtalk manager would have had a similar regular season record this season but surely the make or break for the TLR hire is what happens post season, as that is what he is really here for.

I couldn't agree with you more, ron. He's less than perfect, but he's good enough to manage my team and I'm damn glad to have him.

Too many hits. Had to run the bases too much. He could just strike out in every at-bat today. Save some energy.

This thread, again?

I would like to see Dallas transitioned to the bullpen now, so he is ready for his playoff role. There are five off days between now and the final game. They can bring up Steiver for the one DH start against Cleveland, and go with Reynaldo as the fifth starter. He may also be needed as a fourth playoff starter if something unexpected happens. Transition Keuchel both mentally and physically for his bullpen role now, and next season as he can serve as a long man or first/second replacement for an injured pitcher in 2022. The Sox have 20 million legitimate reasons to do this.

I will be there tonight. First game in a couple years.

I know rest is important, but the team needs to stay sharp, too. You can do that sitting on the bench. Again, I think players have been rested. I don't think any bad play is due to exhaustion.

https://www.cbssports.com/fantasy/baseball/news/white-soxs-adam-engel-makes-progress/ Sounds like he is at least a week away. At this point I expect Hamilton back before Engel.

I can see Goodwin and Engel pinch hitting for each other, but is there any other right handed hitter in the lineup where you would pinch hit Lamb for him even against a tough righty? I don't see another spot.

You are taking a short view if this for 2 reasons. 1. Rest isn't always Physical many young ayers need to mental break as issues can snowball and create slumps. 2. The advantage if having a big division lead is the Sox can rest their players now so they don't need to rest them at the end of the season and can go into the postseason on a roll, while the other team may be cold from resting at that time.

The 2021 Chicago White Sox. Where relievers come to die

Oh no, now the sox can't use 7 era kimbrel in a close game!

Thrilled with the comeback win but you can't feel good about a bullpen that gives up seven runs in three innings. I would like to see Lopez take Keuchel's spot in the rotation right now. Lopez' s comeback has been great to watch. Now give him the baseball.

I have been of the mind that they'd give Dallas the playoff start over Cease just based on experience, cease being inconsistent and also his stuff playing up in a bullpen role more than kuechels. Obviously, I have changed my tune on that. Theres no way they can start Keuchel over cease at this point. I hope they can find a way to have cease start at home but either way he's won the job. Not sure what role Keuchel will have in the playoffs, if any, but he will definitely be back as a starter for next season and I actually predict a bounceback year. Also, we need to stop scoreboard watching Cleveland and start watching Houston. Having home field in the 1st round would be nice

Glad you went to that game. Must have been fun Al… I mean Not Steve… I mean Burger Guy… I mean Adam.

No. No they dont. He will be fine in October. What matters in August isnt why they made the trade.

Nothing wrong with it. Are we that satisfied with beating a shitty team that it’s not worth talking about?

It is a huge issue going forward this year. It seems obvious he needs closing opportunities to see if he excels in that role for the Sox, but we don't know if the Sox are willing to do it. His performance this year with the team has done nothing for him to deserve it, and that's coming from someone that only wants to see him in save situations in the 9th.

Hello Craig. Liam also reads this board.

duh

According to Brooks Baseball, his average fastball of 96.3 over last month is the lowest velocity he's had in over 10 years. It's down a full mph since June.

He had a handful of 94 mph tonight. He was consistently at 97 with the Cubs and now he's only reaching that once in a while. I saw plenty of 98-99 from him earlier in the year.

Wasn’t he previously at 97 - 99 and now is between 94 - 95?

This future HOF reliever gave up two home runs to the Cubs with a seven run lead and you post this? Seriously?

He didn't look good against Yankees or Rays either

Well, so much for that change in delivery. Won the game, but that should be a guarantee against a team has awful as the Cubs. The fact that we have to hold onto our nuts with a 7 run lead in the 9th is a terrible indication. Kimbrel blows and he needs to put up his end of the goddamn bargain.

Dallas' contract isn't even in the same universe as Heyward's when it comes to bad contracts

It's 14-8 guys. Relax.

If he doesn't pitch an immaculate inning, he's bad. To be honest, a lot of times, the outs closers get come on hard hit balls that defense do their thing on. The base hit was actually a good pitch he made to like the best hitter on the planet at the moment. I'll take a do nothing base hit against Guerrero anytime of the week.