NWINFan

I met Pope briefly and he seemed like a decent guy. His game stories are okay. But the Trib has Paul Sullivan dominating the sports front page and most of the time I read the Tribune for other things. Regardless, the Trib has had to fight back accusations of pro-Cub bias for decades, and this recent example is why. Simply put: the Sox should have been the main story because they're heading to the playoffs. In 2021, the Cubs are going nowhere. Even though I will admit Sullivan had a column criticizing the Cubs FO.

In my opinion, WIllie Mays is the greatest around-player of all time. I think Robert has a chance to be that or at least rival that.

The Tribune acts like it still owns the Cubs. It had a game story of the Sox pounding the Cubs. Then there were two stories about the Cubs so-called rebuild. The Cubs are almost 20 games under .500, get pounded on almost daily basis, and are going nowhere. The Sox are 20 games over .500 and going to the playoffs. So, let's write about the team that will be losing for some time to come.

In a way, this was a no-win situation for the White Sox. They couldn't let a team like the Cubs win a series at their own ballpark. Yet, the second game was a real fluke, and the Cubs never belonged on the same field with the Sox. In reality, the Cubs don't belong on the field with many teams. It's called tanking. Glad this nonsense is over. Back to playing real major league baseball. Oh, wait, the Sox have to play the Pirates first.

This series was embarrassing enough for the Cubs. It's hard to beat a team six times in a row, even one like the Cubs. Cub fans no doubt wish the season was over tomorrow.

It is sure nice to have Grandal and Robert back in the lineup. Great to have a series win.

Hendricks looked pumped. He dominated. Great win over the lowlife Cubs.

That home run by Luis was amazing. Looked like he was out ahead of the pitch and all his power was spent. Hit it out anyway. Then Abreu almost hit one out.

It is a losing approach, I don't know how many times I've seen the White Sox offense go three-up, three down in a low pitch inning. The opposing pitcher breezes. I saw a highlight of a Frank Thomas walk-off home run on YouTube. He worked the pitcher for 12 pitches before hitting the home run. Many Sox innings are ten pitches or less.

After the first two miserable games against the Cubs, I don't have any appreciation of Tony LaRussa.

Second time the Sox were shut out in recent weeks to go along with two one-run games in Toronto. It is concerning that this offense can go so dormant. It is also concerning if the Sox lose this series to the pathetic Cubs.

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.

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.

Actually, there are several ways you can use Lopez. It would nice him in the seventh and eighth innings. I agree about Keuchel. He should not start a post-season 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.

One obvious but important point Al is making is that Cubs can't be lovable losers anymore. Used to be the team could be bad and still draw. In 1993, when the Sox won the division, the Cubs still out drew them. As we all know, things really began changing during the late 1960s for various reasons. Now he says a there is the possibility of a real historical changing of the guard or at least the potential for one. He believes the Cubs can't just say they are rebuilding. They have to spend some real money in this offseason. Spinning tales about goats and sucking up Old Style won't cut it anymore. This is what this Sox rebuild can mean. Not just having a good season or two but taking over this baseball city. As for tonight. I hope the Sox use their home park as a launching pad and leave no doubt which team has a real and long and bright future.

Al Yellon writes at the Cubbie Blue site that the teams at a crossroads and that the Sox can take over as the more popular team. He believes the Cub organization has to have a strong off season or the more casual fan will drift over to the South Side. Simply said, he believes the Sox have more talented and likable players, and a long run in the playoffs will tip the scales after a half century of Cub popularity. It will be interesting to see if there is a noticeable Cub fan presence at the park tonight. This is baseball. On any day, a bad team can beat a good one. But if I were a Cub fan, I'd stay at home. Even with Keuchel on the mound, Cub fans are better off finding something else to do. How about Scrabble?

Anything less than a sweep of the Cubs will be disappointing. The Sox shouldn't let this minor league team beat them even once.

The starting pitching was the most encouraging thing about this series. It helps overcome many problems. They needed this last win. Blowing a lead like that would have been devastating. Those last three innings by the pen really did it for me. Then the Eloy home run. There is something about an Eloy home run.

Relieved to see the win after the Jays got close. Nice to see the bullpen get three clean innings to finish the game. But really should have swept Toronto. And you shouldn't have to sweat a game like this. Maybe Kimbrel should be the closer. Regardless, with the talent they have, the Sox should be better.

Toronto has scored seven runs in three games and has won two of them. That says it all.

Abreu will probably have 100 RBIs before September starts. This will make his 6th 100 RBI season in his career. By the end of the year he will be approaching 800 RBIs for a career. Yes, Jose has always been a choker.

If Kimbrel doesn't like his role, I don't understand it. First, he gets traded from a shit team to a contending team. And he has a vital role to play on that contending team. What in the hell is the problem?

The Jays are a decent team not a playoff team. Should be able to beat them once.

If Frank would have been healthy in 2005, something tells me the Sox would never have worried about a challenge from Cleveland.