South Side Hit Men

I like that Lambert is starting, and Hahn's statement on Friday regarding the objective of managing starter workloads. Andrew played every game the previous week, so good with Leury spelling him a day. It sucks to lose Billy Hamilton, but hopefully Robert returns next week giving the team two quality CFers. Billy will still be valuable in October. Ruiz, Tepera and Kopech are likely the three unavailable today, hopefully Reynaldo continues pitching well out of the bullpen, as the Sox will likely need a couple innings from him today. https://www.baseballpress.com/bullpen-usage?q=%2Fbullpen-usage Go Sox!

I’m thinking this is the most important stretch: ALDS October 7-14 And if successful: ALCS October 15-24 & World Series October 26-November 3 For the rest of this season, I’m most considered: Getting through with proper load management for the starters. Building Kopech up to at least 2-3 + innings Robert and Grandal regaining health and timing and Keeping our collective fingers crossed that Eloy can somehow be healthy in the playoffs, especially since they are insistent on using him in LF. As a fan, I like them to win games, of course, but it’s secondary at this stage of the season. Hoping Tony can channel a Phil Jackson mindset, not a Tom Thibodeau mindset, over the final two months.

I’m really surprised the Dodgers didn’t acquire more relievers at the deadline. Their bullpen has been mediocre, and Jansen has been hit or miss. Even if they didn’t prioritize a Kimbrel, surprised they didn’t acquire guys like Rodriguez or 7th/8th inning guys. They have been aggressive in the past sticking up on relievers at the deadline. Danny Duffy was their lone bullpen piece, but he is more of a 1-2 bridge guy after a starter goes 3-5. Still did great replacing Bauer, and Turner may work out at 2B, his bat a solid addition. Houston did well fortifying their bullpen with Graveman and Garcia, though Toro will help Seattle. Beane in his final year in Oakland was aggressive as well. Milwaukee at +1300 provides the best value on the current board.

I was with you. I think the confusion came in when I said 1 run (meant to type 1-2 runs). The game was wild back and forth, putting in a stopper vs. Ruiz (or in the past Foster or Burr) when the game is tied. Kimbrel (or Kopech / Hendriks) are likely to keep the game where it's at, and let your team come back to win. By putting your worst in because they are losing, whether it's 1 or 2 or 4 or 8, that's not optimal. Pitch your worst when you are up/down 5-6 +, pitch your best when you are up/down 0,1,2.

I liked that they used Kimbrel there. Using your best when the game is close and the win probability is close is far more important than "saving" your best guys for a save (or not even a save), or not using your best in a tie game because you are waiting for a save opportunity. The team can score 1 or 4, the important thing is to keep the game tied/close, not fretting about a save opportunity that may not even occur because you put in your worst pitchers in the high leverage situation.

Hello exactly. You pitch your best pitchers when the game is meaningful, tie games or up down by 1. High leverage situations. Tony's cares more about personal stats (wins and saves) than managing to high vs. low leverage situations. Perhaps that's one of the reason the Sox are among the worst teams with 20 blown saves and a 10-14 record in 1 run games. Tony rather use his worst relievers when the team is losing, regardless if they are down 1, 2 or 8, or use his best pitchers in low leverage situations like the 4-0 game against Houston with a DH the following day.

Not to mention 2B in 100 degrees. Let him play LF 1B or DH.

Connor McKnight said Kimbrel pitching next inning.

Yes he and Crochet. I want Kopech doing that in 2-3 innings this year, they can sacrifice a game or two this season. THREE HOMERS FOR SEVY!!!

I'm fine letting the rookie (Kopech) try to work out of it, but I've said it a few times, I would like the Sox to put in their relievers with a clean situation at the start of the inning, where they don't have to worry about baserunners, especially when your starters are already gassed. Kopech almost hit 40 pitches, if his "relief role" turns into a consistent 2-3 IP role by the Playoffs, it will benefit the team and Kopech, short term and long term.

Can't believe the Sox are losing to bridge decorations.

Sox are now tied for fifth in blown saves with 20, behind Los Angeles, Philadelphia, Arizona and Cincinnati.

That's a terrible waste of resources. They are already consigning Crochet to the bullpen. His development into a starter with 160+ innings in 2022 far more important than fretting about 3-4 + run leads in relatively meaningless July games.

Radio guys were on top of it. Is the TV crew at NBC studios for home games as well?

Thought Kopech was going to start tomorrow. He better pitch 2-3 innings, he needs to get stretched out. It's such a waste limiting him this year and beyond with this 2 IP per week bullshit.

Keuchel is an albatross, get his ass out of there, La Russa you dip stick.

Glad one of them is not in heaven.

Do you believe in miracles? Yes!!!!!!!!!

Gavin Sheets is a terrible baserunner. Seems like no Sox coming up have a grasp on fundamentals. This needs to change.

How bout this one?

Grandal What? Collins Who? Congrats on your first ML Home Run Seby!!!

Goodwin stays, just a little bit longer He wants to play, just a little bit more White Sox 1 Guardians 0

Don't want any of those nerds on my team, no sir ee. Have you guys seen Mark?

Well, at least fans got to see Miguel Cairo perform one of his job duties. Job Duties: Place Tony La Russa in a bear hug and do not let go under any circumstances if Tony is, or is heading towards, any dangerous situation. This includes, but is not limited to, bench clearing brawls, entering the field of playing during live action, walking towards the drivers side of any vehicle, or walking towards any body of water deeper than two feet.