South Side Hit Men

That needs to change when Luis and Eloy return. Nice shot by Sheets, Astros lucky that wasn't an inside the park HR.

Yeah, swing meekly at the first pitch from a pitcher who can't throw strikes.

Back to Back And a Belly to Belly!!!

Zack Collins comes through again!!! 1-0 White Sox

Tony needs to grow a pair and send Mendick out this inning.

What the F is that shit. Stop making dumb ass outs on the basepaths. So sick of the stupidity on this team.

Mother Tucker.

Yes, you are correct laying it out. Tony still may want to give Sheets/Burger playing time as well, which is better than having them sit most games and stunt development. A lot to juggle this season. Tony trusts veterans like Hamilton (or Lamb) to be able hit with only 1-2 games a week playing time, and to have Hamilton available for PR/Defense off the bench, which is what his role normally would be with a healthy team. With Lucas and Rodon back to back, will be interesting how Collins is handled vs. the first half where there was a gap between starts. Will probably see Collins off tomorrow, wonder if the rotation will reset after skipping Lynn vs. Houston (plus the ASB consideration). Houston: F Cease Sa Giolito Su Rodon Minnesota: M Lynn & Bullpen/Kopech/Lambert/Lopez T Keuchel W Cease Reset @ Milwaukee: F Giolito Sa Lynn Su Rodon @ Kansas City: M Cease T Keuchel

It could just be Tony's platoon obsession. If Adam doesn't play Sunday and one game on Monday I'll be concerned. He has only started back to back games once (June 9-10). Speaking of platoon splits, I'd like to see Hamilton start against lefties for his defense and .925 OPS vs. LHP while Robert is out. He could have helped the Sox yesterday.

To be accurate, Lynn was one of the guys with a past history Tony brought in, along with Hendriks via Tony's tainted Animal Project (the racist/ageist/toxic workplace lawsuit against remains ongoing) and his "franchise player" Jake Lamb being the others. Still not sure who the hell wanted Adam Eaton.

Nearly all players can add power by swinging aggressively, but it cuts down on contact rate and batting average. Power is returning with Robert and Eloy, plus Vaughn should turn some doubles into homers in his second season. Hopefully Nick can stay healthy to provide the 9-1 table setting that worked well to start the season. The wild card is Tony freaking out for having only two LH/SH options with his best everyday lineup. 2021 OPS (2020 for Eloy & Engel) SS Anderson .779 3B Moncada # .795 1B Abreu .776 DH Jimenez .891 CF Robert .822 C Grandal # .824 LF Vaughn .763 RF Engel .811 2B Madrigal .774 Bench: C Collins; Inf Leury; OF TBD

Glad to have the chance to watch a game at home tonight. Hopefully it turns out more like the Cincinnati game last Fall (5-0 win over Bauer) than the Houston game (7-3 loss, Lynn pounded early) last month. Should be good vibes at the stadium, and hopefully on SoxTalk, tonight.

Apparently my Tuesday poll was more timely than all of us expected, and the contract within the range discussed. This brings payroll to the $160M range the next two years, pending any additional approved signings. The Sox must be pleased with the increased ticket demand and believe it is sustainable based on the team's prospects. They will likely have a major season ticket push for the remainder of this year + 2022 deposit for 2021 playoff ticket options. Still hope they can sign Rodon and or have flexibility to add one or two more key pieces during this window. 2022 ($157M): Abreu $19.7M, Lynn $18.5M, Grandal $18.3M, Keuchel $18M, Moncada $13.8M, Hendriks $13M, Anderson $9.5M, Jimenez $7.3M, Giolito $6M (Arb est), Robert $6M, Bummer $2.5M, Engel $2.2M (Arb est), (Eaton BO $1M) + 14 More Players ($21.2M - most at minimum which may increase with CBA plus a few in the $1M-$3M range) 2023 ($160M): Keuchel $20M, Lynn $19.5M, Grandal $18.3M, Moncada $17.8M, Hendriks $14M, Anderson $12.5M, Jimenez $10.3M, Robert $9.5M, Giolito $8M (Arb est), Bummer $3.8M, Engel $3.0M (Arb est) + 15 More Players ($23.2M - most at minimum which may increase with CBA plus a few in the $1M-$3M range)

No. Tim is the leadoff hitter, he's doing what he is asked to do which is get on base, drive the ball to the gaps, use his speed to stretch out singles to doubles, and set the table / provide a spark to the White Sox offense. The only thing I would "change" about Tim Anderson is to have him stop attempting so many steals. He leads MLB in caught stealing with 7. He has a 66% success rate, far below break even 76% rate. If he is to steal at all, it should only be when he has a distinct advantage. The Sox need to shift from Tony's obsession of making unnecessary (caught stealing / failed hit and runs) and intentional outs (bunting), and move to the 20th Century (Earl Weaver / Casey Stengel) and 21st Century (every manager under 76 years old) mathematically proven strategies. They also need to embrace 20th / 21st century defensive positioning, primarily employing proper defensive shifting against RH hitters. Failure to rectify Tony's extreme stubbornness will result in an unnecessary early exit from the playoffs.

Rick Hahn said the Sox were committed to a multi-championship window, not multi-division title window. The Twins will soon join the other three tanking teams with a payroll under $100M once Cruz and Simmons are gone. Would be under $80M if they could get anyone to eat the ridiculous Donaldson contract. Cleveland is under $50M. KC and Detroit in the $80s. The AL Central, in the words Jason Benetti uses for JR's RSN, is "hot garbage". It has been the worst division, it is the worst division, and will continue to be the worst division in MLB.

With Rodon and Lynn going to the ASG, they probably wanted to be conservative in the event he did pitch. With pitchers doing their pre-start throwing work mid-week, Tony / Katz likely set the schedule before the ASG, with Rodon OK to start even if he pitched Tuesday, and intentionally skipping Lynn against Houston.

Biggest crowd of the year. Biggest home stinker of the year.

Rey Lo with a scoreless inning, best reliever tonight.

Rey Lo in the House!!! Glad I stuck it out.

Shifts are poor sportsmanship. There are things more important than winning.

Then why is he playing LF on his rehab assignment?

It's a coin flip whether Eloy remains healthy upon his return for the remaining two months, especially if give into his vanity / ego and allow him to play LF. Robert is the only one I am counting on to be healthy and productive in October among the three with a chance to play this October (Madrigal excluded). Eloy or Grandal will be a bonus.

Len said the last play would have been close if Tim left the box.

I can't see them starting him in Houston, so a Game 3 scenario unless the Sox can finish with the better record. If the decision is based on "respect", Tony will start Lynn in games 1 or 2, regardless of location.

Do they skip Lynn in the playoffs vs. Houston? 2019-2021 vs. Houston: 1-6 6.60 ERA