Molto

there a few things you have to do against young pitchers. first, be patient. like you said CLU, control is a big thing with young pitchers. second, test their defense, meaning bunt, forcing him to make a play. a bad throw on a bunt can screw around with a young guys mind. third, when on base, you have to be aggressive and test his concentration. fourth, you gotta score on them early. last thing a young guy needs is confidence.

I don't think a consistent lineup does anything. I feel as long as a consistent routine is set, one in which the players know of and understand, you can go with different lineups. as far as manuel's lineups? I don't agree with him totally as it isn't something I would do, but I don't think it is all to blame. most of it goes to our offense simply not hitting. the only way a bad offense can produce is when you have some speed in it, which we don't have, or at least use effectively.

it would be hard to trade Rowand and Konerko, but getting Lidle back wouldn't make it a terrible trade based on numbers. I don't see that happening however. The Blue Jays rotation and bullpen is far too delicate for them to trade away Lidle, especially if they think they are in it, which they are.

anyone who hates the ivy has to answer this question. If the Cubs didn't have the ivy, would they be cool with the Sox having it? people spend too much time worrying about the Cubs.

Porzio is a guy who NEEDS to locate and bust guys inside. he has added a changeup and if he adds more bit to his curve, he could be pretty good. the key is for him to go 5 IP every start. I think the Sox are just hoping he holds up until someone from the minors is ready to take over. most likely, if the Sox are still in contention down the stretch, they will do everything they can to pitch one of their man four. bullpen is fresh for tomorrow though. my thinking is Porzio will go 4-5, followed by White for a couple.

just because a guy gives up a run doesn't mean he pitched bad. sometimes it could be just the way things go. I didn't see Koch pitch the full two innings that game so I can't say he pitched good or bad, but IF he did give up a couple bloop singles, you have to recognize that or at least make sure it happened before blaming him or getting on him.

Cornejo isn't a nobody, he's a pretty good pitcher, just that isn't this good, far from this good. then again, at times, our offense is bad enough to do allow something like this.

I agree, Alomar has to catch for him. Colon unfortunately wants to work the outside corner, but Olivo is doing little to change that. As far as can he come back? anyone who thinks he can't is a moron. the guy has been a good pitcher for years now.

I don't hate Manuel, I just feel he's had his chances with this team and for some reason it hasn't worked. they have put out pretty good, quality teams out there each year since 2000 and he hasn't done much with it. it is only for so long that you can blame the players.

gotta be more professional than that. I think there are places you can start petitions at. or you can simply get the name and phone numbers of all the fans and send the Sox a letter.

unfortunately, I still have to watch this. I really was hoping they would postphone this game because I didn't feel like staying up till 1:30 to write this recap. it is gonna be a tough one to write it seems.

perhaps all fans who want JM do something about it. start a petition, go to the game with a sign saying to fire manuel. hell, start a fire manuel website and promote the s*** out of it till it gets on the news and radio waves. management will have react at some point.

the Sox groundscrew, considered by many to be the best in sports, are idiots? how in the hell can they use mops on grass? please name one other object outside of a broom to get the water off? there is no other.

not raining over here at all, although it does look crappy out.

he didn't speak out of words, the media reported out of words. notice KW never said, "the sox better do something out of break or Manuel will get canned" he basically changes will happen. personally, I thought KW was gonna can JM today and that quote about changes were meant for the players. there is a variety of ways you can take it. the media took it and threw a "is manuel on the hot seat" question in front of it.

for the most part, people ignored or thought the Loaiza signing was decent. I, thought it was decent because he would bring us 170 innings and 10 wins (I was wrong, for the better) one person said Loaiza sucks, which is funny, because it proves how dumb the word suck is. how can you say a guy, who obviously had all-star potential in him, sucks? I mean sure NOBODY thought he would do this good, but when you say somebody sucks, it means you think the guy is completely useless and can never amount to anything decent or of value.

agreed cubkilla. I'm one of the few who believe Manuel has been ripped unfairly, BUT he has had his chances the past couple years. firing Manuel will show they are interested in winning, who they get as his replacement CAN further prove it.

you are basing it on their playing records with the Phils, Tigers and Rockies, three of the worse teams over the past decade? I think we have to at least find out more about them before we start judging them. anyway, a change is needed, and like I said, this team is good enough to win on its own, it simply needs a manager who can fuel this team and keep their intensity and focus at a high level.

the replacement could be anybody, it is a rumor insider a rumor. IF manuel is fired these three MAY be the main options. Manuel could be fired and his replacement could be someone good. as far as the three mentioned? I can't comment on any of the three guys. Fergosi managed here back in the late 80s, when I was too young to understand, so I can't comment much from him. I haven't seen Francona manage so I can't comment too much on him. Bell, I'd have to agree, wouldn't be the best option. I think Manuel is a smart guy and a decent manager, but has had too many chances here and needs to go. even if the replacement is just as bad Manuel, it will be a change, which at this time, is a MUST. someone who can simply fire this team up and keep them at a high intensity is the main thing as this team is talented enough to win games on their own.

I just heard Manuel is in fact on the hot seat and could be gone tomorrow. this is coming from a source that isn't the radio or chicago media. is it true? I don't know, but I've heard very similar stories from a few sources since Sunday.

he flat out said JM won't be fired? that doesn't make any sense and is more of a lie, worse than beating around the bush.

what KW said was acceptable and true. there was no reason for him not to say this.

Loaiza HAS to start and should throw three innings if needed. why? the sox have not played good enough to keep Loaiza from doing so. only few players have the honor of starting in an all-star game, let Loaiza enjoy it.

yeah mike, that kid was annoying as hell. he was very interested in baseball, I'll give him that and I respect the fact that he knew some players, but he was very immature and bothered the s*** out of me.

thing is, right now, they have five outfielders. BUT, Carl Everett, who is an outfielder, is listed at DH. IF they were to slide Everett to the outfield, that would leave Edgar Martinez to the DH spot by himself, thus opening a spot for Thomas. also, they only have one backup 1B. I think picking Thomas would be a safe move.