Soxbadger

The problem is that it was a below average pitch. There is a good chance that the next few pitches would have been better sinkers. CQ has to get the job done on a pitch like that, or at worst a pop up. There is just no explanation as to how he didnt get it in the air.

The sinker wasnt low and in, go back and watch the pitch. Its right down the middle and if CQ had the approach of trying to hit it in the air, would have easily done so. The pitch was easily hittable and should have been put in the air. It wasnt in the dirt or anything, it was slightly below CQ's knees.

Fathom, How do we know that the gameplan isnt "Westbrook throws easy to hit pitches early in the count, we have to jump on him" That wasnt a great pitch, when do our hitters start to actually produce? All CQ has to do is hit the ball in the air, that should have been his #1 priority. The pitch location was down the middle and sinking, CQ has to do better than beating it into the ground.

I think a hit and run would have been a good call there, but oh well game is tied.

Beckham needs to be smart here, they arent going to give him anything great because a walk sets up a double play.

And thats what we call statistical corrections. Eventually hitters are going get hits and if our pitchers can keep them in it, they will have a chance every game.

The reason for optimism would be that the Sox have a great pitching staff, and there is just no way the offense will remain this bad. Even if they are the worst scoring team in baseball, they would be better than what we are seeing.

I think its hard to say this early in the season. In the spring you generally see pitchers not as throwing as hard. By June/July hell probably back in the 93-95 range.

Peavy doesnt have his best stuff, but hes through 4 giving up only 1 run. Sox have hit the ball hard, unfortunately most have been right at people.

I disagree completely, at no point should your 3-4 hitters go up to the plate thinking: "If I get a meatball Im not swinging because we may only have a 5 pitch inning"

If it was a sinker, it was a sinker right down the middle above the knees. Regardless it was going to be a strike and he may not have seen a better pitch that at bat. Its one thing if they are swinging at bad pitches out of the zone, but come on you gotta swing the bat at good pitches. CQ and PK are supposed to drive the ball and some times that means swinging at early pitches that are good to hit.

Yeah CQ and PK shouldnt be swinging at mediocre fastballs down the middle!

Eh last I checked Niemi gave up 1 soft goal last night. The second goal was the defense's failure to clear a puck after they had been pinned in their own zone for about 45 seconds. You cant expect a shut out every night, there is blame to go all around for last game.

And after that hit it wouldnt have mattered, glad Rios went for the out.

Rios had a difficult call to make on that play. If he plays it cautious, probably only a double, but no chance to catch it. He went to deep trying to catch the ball and there was no way to play the bounce. Not sure with 1 out which is the better statistical play, to go for the out and risk the triple, or to let him have a double.

Thanks Steve, I think that the Blackhawks luck will change now that we are sporting these.

Playoff beards! (Yo steve can you put a beard on my rally monkey picture?)

It was a bad move, they had no information and just went on a hunch. It could turn out to be the difference in who wins.

Im trying to keep theories about the future of the show as spoiler, just in case people dont want to read them haha I know its not a spoiler as its unconfirmed but im being cautious with a show that means a lot to people

There is an episode that implies that since Smokey took Locke's body he is now trapped. Secondly, alternative Desmond is quickly becoming the equivalent of Jacob in that universe. Everyone Desmond "touches" is being changed. I have a feeling that as a result of Desmond's accident...

Yeah AJ took the ball then threw it to another fan, kind of an odd scene.

I disagree that Walker is a poor hitting coach. His philosophy is good (use all fields and be patient) the problem is that most players dont listen to hitting coaches. Beckham already uses the field, what Walker can help him with his how pitchers are going to attack him, etc. Everyone who has worked with Walker has nothing but good to great things to say. The only people who seem to dislike him are people on this site who for no reason believe Walker teaches "lift and pull."

QUOTE (JoeCoolMan24 @ Apr 10, 2010 -> 03:03 PM) ? Our best hitter is Beckham, who had no help from Walker in his career. Our best hitter right now is not Beckham. People need to get over the hype, the guy is good, but hes not a superstar yet and its very likely that he may experience some problems in his sophomore campaign. Teams are already shading him to RF and as pitchers get better scouting reports on him he is going to have to learn to adjust. He has a ton of raw natural talent as a hitter, but he still has a lot to learn about being a professional hitter.

Then dont watch the games. Ill put my reputation on the line that the White Sox will not finish the season with a .148 batting average. Now their pitching will regress to the mean, but going from a 2.5 era to say a 3.25-3.5 is still going to make them a great team if they even have below average hitting.

They wont fire Walker because last I checked hes not making millions to hit a ball 1 out of 3 times. Players who listen to Walker, seem to get better. Players who dont, seem to do the same s*** every year. The guy works hard and is well liked by management. I believe he actually offered to step down but they wouldnt let him. The guy is a class act and honestly no hitting coach is going to change this team.