South Side Hit Men

Time will tell how much, if at all, Engel and Vaughn are able to play. Could see Leury at 2B or RF, rather have Leury Hernandez vs. Leury Goodwin in the lineup. Perhaps Sheets sees a start or two in RF. Greinke has been god-awful since his return from COVID, so perhaps the Sox will catch a break there.

No change of control = no change in ownership. Whether it is a precursor to something substantial is not known.

They managed his workload well, but to do so he shifted from multi inning / spot start outings to mostly 1 inning outings. April - May: 9 Appearances 2-5 innings 5 Appearances under 2 innings July - September: 4 Appearances 2-2 1/3 innings 22 Appearances 1/3- 1 1/3 innings The Sox never publicly disclosed Kopech’s innings target this season. Perhaps he can pitch 1-2 + innings in the playoffs. He’ll need to expand from his reliever arsenal of fastball slider when he transitions to a starter role. Cease also hasn’t seen a dramatic drop off in performance. Hopefully the Sox will be able to trust him to take the mound in October, something they weren’t willing to do last year.

Yes, I posted in June and July I posted the hope the Sox would consider a 6 man rotation for 4-6 + weeks, and then transition back sometime after Labor Day to allow pitchers to return to regular rest for the playoffs. They picked spots for guys when needed, but having 1-2 Lopez and a trade deadline pickup or second callup would have helped manage the innings, and possibly could have held off Rodon's recent drastic decline. Also wanted a set up guy and a multi inning guy picked up at the deadline. Cheap in terms of cost (trade and salary), but the Sox went all in on Kimbrel, who may bounce back next season but is likely running out of gas at this point. Thought the Kimbrel trade would have made more sense if it freed Kopech to stretch out more for this year and beyond, but that didn't happen. Heuer is a really good pick up for your team, and can pitch high leverage innings if ownership wants to contend over the next few years. Madrigal is another good cost controlled piece, his ability to stay healthy the main concern. He should do well in the NL.

So glad divisions championships mean a great deal, should be an incredible final two weeks. Next year, this could be pretty much meaningless. Some of these division/pennant races were as or more memorable than the World Series, and are recalled to this day. Historically, the National League had a three game tie-breaker and the American League a single game winner take all, which was consolidated when the separate league offices were combined under the Selig coup d'etat in 1999. Bold & Italics = World Series Champion 2021 NL West San Francisco (97-53) vs. Los Angeles (96-54) 2020 AL Central Minnesota (36-24) over Chicago & Cleveland (both 35-25) 2018 NL Central (Game 163) Milwaukee (96-67) over Chicago (95-68) and NL West (Game 163) Los Angeles (92-71) over Colorado (91-72) 2008 AL Central (Game 163) Chicago (89-74) over Minnesota (88-75) 1978 AL East (Game 163) New York (100-63) over Boston (99-64) 1959 NL Pennant (Games 155 & 156) Los Angeles (88-68) over Milwaukee (86-70) 1951 NL Pennant (Games 155-157) New York (98-59) over Brooklyn (97-60) 1948 AL Pennant (Game 155) Cleveland (97-58) over Boston (96-59) 1946 NL Pennant (Games 155-156) Saint Louis (98-58) over Brooklyn (96-60)

The unprecedented 2021 season (162 games from 60) is taking a toll on most teams. People are upset about the Kimbrel trade (either the prospects given and/or his performance), but his drop off in performance and velocity is likely due, at least in part, to hitting a wall at this stage of the season. They will have to walk a tight rope in the playoffs this year, but hopefully all the pitchers below will be at full strength in 2022. (All innings include majors + minor league & college innings/games, if applicable) Pitchers with significant increases in workload 2021 vs. 2020 + 2019 Rodon 127.2, 7.2 & 34.2 Keuchel 151.1, 63.1 & 112.2 Kimbrel 55.2, 15.1 & 20.2 Cease 156.1, 58.1 & 73.0 Kopech 61.0, None Pitchers with an adequate baseline 2021 vs. 2020 + 2019 Giolito 167.2, 72.1 & 176.2 Lynn 146.0, 84.0 & 208.1 Lopez 87.0, 26.1 & 184.0 Hendriks 64.0, 25.1 & 85.0 Crochet 49.2, 9.1 & 65.0 Bummer 51.0, 9.1 & 75.1

Yes, Hoyer went to each of his players and tried to accommodate their preferred locations as best as possible. Kimbrel wanted to remain in Chicago as his daughter is getting treatment here and he likes the city. Rizzo wanted to go out East for family as well, and Baez specifically wanted to go to the Mets. Bryant wanted to go out West (from Vegas). I don't see Tony ever allowing Mercedes or Zavala up, they ignored his signs and it was one of the few times Tony actually got animated this season (they other when he attacked/shoved Roberto Perez after Abreu was hit in late July). I believe Kimbrel is simply out of gas, like Rodon. I'll create a thread of players who may be hitting the wall at this point.

The head rots at the top, and I don't expect serious long term change until Jerry steps down or passes, consistent with what happened with the Bulls. Kim Ng would be a great club president of operations, and let her bring in qualified people.

The Sox are not serious contenders until there is a legitimate, breathing human being as manager.

Tony has issued the stay command after Eloy "scarred him" by laying on the warning track last week. Tony is fine with balls dropping as long as Eloy doesn't do much near a wall. White Sox fundamentals.

If Tatis Jr. had only followed the unwritten rules…..

Wouldn't discount Tony going after Julio "Juice" Cruz this offseason. Hell, he may still be under contract with the White Sox.

I'm surprised Texas cut Arihara, as he's already a sunk cost and injuries may have played a big role in his poor performance to start the season. Wouldn't mind the Sox offer a minor league deal if he clears waivers, could be good insurance for next season at the ML minimum. https://www.charlotteobserver.com/sports/article254365738.html

Good news out of Cleveland.

Tim needs to start writing the lineup card.

Mookie Betts, the anti-Bauer,

https://sports.yahoo.com/mets-phillies-minor-leaguers-protest-003819071.html

Nice to see the team bounce back after their moribund offensive effort yesterday. Overall the bullpen has looked sharp, hope they retain that form. Also glad ESPN 1000 stuck with the game, and didn't switch over to cover Bears postgame.

Can Jerry or Tony or the Sox give Wright the $10K or so to cover his lost wages during his suspension, or does the CBA forbid this?

Yes, I stand corrected. Cleveland wins all remaining games: 88-74 Sox win four more vs. Detroit or Cincinnati: 89-73.

Bye Bye Detroit. 5 left to eliminate Cleveland!

Mike Wright beans hitters when ordered, unwritten rules supersede everything else in Tony’s “mind”, or whatever is left of it at this stage.

More lack of fundamentals by Tony's team.

The only thing of consequence beyond continuing rest today is Lucas' performance. Can he get his command back and go 90ish pitches.

I’ll take Yoan and Tim, thank you very much.