South Side Hit Men

If Dallas is DFAd, and a team picks him up, are the Sox responsible for the remainder of his contract, PLUS the 2023 vesting Hahn handed him if he pitches 160 innings next season?

Reynaldo Lopez is warming up in the White Sox bullpen.

Warm Lopez up, Tony.

I stated this before, and I will state this until it happens. Reynaldo Lopez should be the fifth starter for the Chicago White Sox.

Ian Happ is taking his place, unfortunate as he has been playing well of late.

What is Dan Bernstein's login ID?

If no charges are filed, the Commissioners Office will be forced to make a formal ruling, and either issue a suspension or allow him to return to the Dodgers. Between the fact he has not pitched since June 28th, and the reporting that the Dodger players (and likely team officials) do not want him to return to the team, it will be interesting to see what happens to him and his contract. If the Dodgers DFA him, than another team can pick him up at the ML minimum and the Dodgers must eat close to $90M. Per Cots Contracts, the Dodgers have only paid him $10M to date, for his signing bonus. His entire 2021 salary of $28M is payable on 11/1/21. If he opts out of his contract, he will instead receive $2M on 11/1/21, and $2M in annual installments between 2031-2040 (payable December 1st, aka "Trevor Bauer Day", which the Dodgers may just pay him upfront to avoid future negative publicity). A likely scenario, once any suspension ruling takes place, is a contract settlement is agreed to between the team and player and he becomes an unrestricted free agent, after getting paid his 2021 salary plus an additional settlement buyout, less any final appealed suspension salary forfeitures.

^^^ This. I inserted both starting lineups in the first post, with my team preference posted first, despite the fact they are the home team and are batting second tonight. The Cubs are going with their version of a "Sunday lineup", with their best remaining player (Willson Contreras) as well as their hottest hitter (Ian Happ) both sitting tonight. Their highest paid player Jason Heyward is playing Right Field and batting 8th. Their second highest paid player is slated to start Sunday.

We can all strive to be better people here and elsewhere. I wish you well, Tray.

I have a solid game thread record, and do not bring bad luck to the Chicago White Sox. I also have a very good in person game attendance record, including a 5-3 postseason record. The Sox are 1-6 in postseason home games I have not attended. Sox fans with extra tickets should definitely keep me in mind during this championship window. I am hopeful to add a few more wins to my game thread record before handing the reins off to the next passionate Sox fan. Cheers

My preference is to create the thread as soon as the lineup is released, which I did during my curation of threads during the White Sox' six game win streak in May, the longest win streak this season. However, upon completion of the win streak, SoxTalk Administrator @Kalapse pinned a thread stating game threads must be created early in the day. What I have witnessed to date, the prior day's game game thread is not necessarily achieved until after the current thread is created. It is a separate discussion after all. I am not Tony La Russa, and have been here less than a year, so I (and others) may not cognizant be of all of the unwritten rules regarding game threads. Earlier this season, I created a game thread after a win, not cognizant of the unwritten rule regarding the prior game thread creator being entitled to creating the next game thread after a White Sox victory. If creation of the game thread for the current day should be deferred until the prior game thread has been archived, I ask a moderator reply confirming this unwritten rule, and to note any additional "unwritten" rules so that all of us are aware of said unwritten rules, assuming the posting of unwritten rules is not a violation of said unwritten rules. (First Rule of Fight Club, Second Rule of Fight Club, etc.) Rest assured, I take the responsibility of creating and maintaining game threads very seriously. The extension of any and all White Sox win streaks is of the upmost importance to me, and hopefully all others who embark to create White Sox game threads.

It is time for the Chicago White Sox to continue their winning ways this evening! Series Background: The Chicago White Sox return home after a 3-4 road trip to host the Chicago Cubs. The Cubs finished their homestand with a 2-4 record, completing a series win over the Rockies on Thursday after being swept by Kansas City over the weekend. The White Sox swept the Cubs earlier this month at Wrigley Field, the first three game sweep by either team in this series since the White Sox swept the Cubs in Wrigley Field May 18-20, 2012. The Chicago White Sox hold a 68-63 record against the Cubs in interleague games. In addition, the Chicago White Sox hold a 4-2 advantage in World Series contests. Projected Starters: The projected starter for the Chicago White Sox is LHP Dallas Keuchel (8-7; 135 2/3 IP; 82 K; 4.71 ERA). Dallas has pitched well in Comiskey Park II this season, going 5-2 with a 4.07 ERA over 73 innings in 12 starts and 1 relief appearance. The Cubs are expected to start RHP Keegan Thompson (3-3; 44 2/3 IP; 44 K; 2.42 ERA). This will be Keegan's third career MLB start, with one in April, the second his last apperance when he faced the Kansas City Royals last weekend, allowing 5 hits and 2 runs, both earned, over 4 innings, 73 pitches. Lineup Presentation: Chicago White Sox Injury Updates: Yasmani Grandal 8/26 Update: Expected Return is this weekend. The Sox expect to carry two catchers with three upcoming off days over the next eight scheduled games. Seby Zavala likely the catcher to be sent to Charlotte or the taxi squad, until rosters expand in September, based on the fact he already was optioned this season. Adam Engel 8/26 Update: Expected Return TBD. Adam was diagnosed with right groin tightness on August 12, but has also been diagnosed with left (non-throwing arm) shoulder inflammation. Tony reported Engel has made "some progress" over the past two days, but there is still no plan for him to go on a rehab assignment. Billy Hamilton: Expected Return TBD. Billy Hamilton started his rehab assignment in Charlotte on August 21st, playing two games each at DH and CF, including his latest game on Thursday in Center Field. Final Game Thread Opening Post Thoughts: Let's continue with good positive thoughts and comments throughout the day and evening. For those attending the game, stay classy out there, keep the balls and cups in the stands, and keep your chants on a family friendly respectable level, Go White Sox!

I'm struggling to see how Kopech will be able to transition into a starter for more than a few months next season. The club never disclosed his innings target, but it is apparent his injury time away and role shift from multi-inning / occasional spot starter to almost exclusive one inning outings upon his return in July has diminished his innings pace (94 IP pre injury to the low 60s) . That said, perhaps the club has recognized he is struggling to ramp up to even reach 60 innings this year, and that it will be a reasonable two year process (2023 rotation target) due to the length he was out and his prior injury issues. April [IP 15 2/3; Pace 94 IP; ERA 1.72] May [IP 15 2/3; Pace 94 IP; ERA 1.72] June [IP 0; Pace 62 2/3 IP; ERA N/A] July [IP 11; Pace 63 2/3 IP; ERA 4.91] August 1-26 [IP 8 1/3; Pace 61 IP; ERA 8.64]

This article was written last week, but I didn’t catch it here. https://www.mlb.com/news/liam-hendriks-fixes-pitch-tipping-issue

I guess everyone is entitled to their opinion, but the majority of both fans and executives who make hiring decisions (Sox & also Fox Baseball where currently works, the Brewers, Marlins and Cubs before that) consider Len an excellent broadcaster. I was skeptical regarding his voice at first, but grew to appreciate him greatly during the Spring Training broadcasts. I for one am very happy the Sox acquired him, joining Elson, Brickhouse, Caray, Rooney and Farmer in the Sox’ great pantheon of radio play by play broadcasters. Hope he continues on White Sox radio for a very long time.

And that's a White Sox Winner! First White Sox save for Craig Kimbrel!

Great play Leury!

Huge first out for Kimbrel. Stay with the curve!

Their rotation beyond Lucas and Dallas were the problem. However, the bullpen angst is still overdone here, people only remember the bad outings, Crochet's and Tepera's outings out of mind. All their numbers are still solid.

MVP!!! White Sox 10 Toronto 7

Crochet has been solid in this role all year.

Narrator: They can.

Yep, TV showing who is warming up? Still haven't heard if Hendriks is available. Would like to see Crochet get the 8th today.