Texsox

Part of the answer, and probably only a small part, is Bart strikes out more batters. Less balls in play, less chance for errors.

Look at the stats, Mark and Bart are having almost the exact same season. The biggest difference is the team plays much better defense when Bart is pitching. Earned runs are almost even 85-83 Total runs are 86-100.

As I was watching the game last night just knew that ncorgbl would have something to say negative about Bart and positive about Frank. Thank you for not disappointing. Bart is 10-11 with a 4.25 Buehrle is 10-12 with a 4.22 Bart has started one less game but has pitched 3 more innings so the rest of the stats should be comparable. Goo has given up 172 hits, Mark has given up 193 Goo has given up 85 ER to Mark's 83 Goo has coughed up 19 round trippers to Mark's 13 Goo has let 57 batter on by walks and HBP, Mark has 51 Goo has 138 strike outs to Mark's 91 So if we are tossing out Bart we also need to toss out Mark and looking at records this season and other stats we would keep E-Lo, Marte, and Wunsch and toss the rest. Sorry ncorgbl I can't see why Bart has your wrath and not others who are underperforming this season. And as far as attitude and getting along with teammates they seem to play some pretty solid defense around Goo.

Not the worse place for him to be in. The hitters will be fired up to avoid the sweep. Looking across the field, the other starter is 0-1 with an identical 7.71 ERA. If he pitches 5-6 good innings and we are within 2 runs he has done a very good job. He is not at the Cell so the fans will not be hometown fans on his ass. This game isn't up to Neal, it's up to our veteran players to come through with some hits and getting on the board early. Last night we needed a quality outing from Bart and didn't get it. Tonight we need another quality offensive show like the last two nights.

See how wrong your prediction was They scored 12 :fyou

But on the bright side one of those teams will have a virtual bye in the first round . . . A kind of perk for having the best record.

Misty, water colored memories of the way we were . . .

Notice how we seem to suck against teams with sub .500 records and play well vs. better teams. I'm glad we have so many games against winning teams to close out the season. It will sharpen our play and we will really be ready for the playoffs. Oh my God, I think I just sounded like a ScRubs fan I need to rest.

We have had 120 games to figure it out. It's time to hit the after burners and make the run. The starting rotation now has a question mark or two after E-Lo and Bart's last outings. Prior to that, they had been playing solid the past few starts. Let's hope those last starts are behind them and they play well from there. Neal needs to get us 6-7 innings and keep it close. The bats will have to help him out. The bullpen has struggled but with Kelly back and hopefully with a healthy Koch returning and being productive we just may have enough pitching to make it. Positions without question, good or bad - Robbie at 2nd Jose at SS Joe on 3rd Carlos and Maggs on the outfield corners Sandy and Olivo will platoon. Nobody catches everyday weeks on end. I like bringing up Burke in September to see if his bat is still hot. That's 6 of the 9 hitting spots. Who's left: Frank, Konerko, Everett, Daubach, Rowand, Graffy Who do you want in the game? I gotta go with Frank, Kong, and Everett in the starting spots. I would play Frank at 1st two games each week with Kong and Daubach splitting the DH those days. Rowand and Graffy are situation players. At this point I'm certain JM has explained to his players the who, what, when, where, and maybe even the why of everyone's roles from here to the post season. When you break it down it is very simple.

When I'm on the computer Usually first thing in the morning 6:30 a.m.

Maybe it's just looking through 2003 glasses, but I would go get me a closer first. Smoltz perhaps. If we are limited to a starter, I would look a few miles north and grab Mark or possibly Dontrell just because he's so damn funny to watch.

Its tough being a Sox fan when the only games on TV are Astros and Rangers and the rare ESPN game. So far,, if my old and feeble memory serves me correctly we are 0-5 when I can see a game on regular TV. Nothing worse than listening to the home team announcers croon about a win. What I found interesting was the love fest between Carl Everett and the Ranger media. They ran three little spots regarding Carl and his contributions to the area. Seems he promised 150 kids in Dallas that he would get them to 6 games this season. He flew them to a game in Houston and they were at last night's game as well. They applauded his work ethic, playing abilities, etc. Hawk managed the worse Elvis impersonation imaginable. Too bad they aired it.

It's official?! did that come out of the commissioner's office? This season has looked a lot worse at times than this. Hell we were three back after the first three games. 100+ games later and we gained ground!

Persoanally I enjoy the non WS posts as much as the other. It makes for a community. Knowing a bit about most of the regular posters adds to the experience not detracts. I think it would be boring if all we allowed was straight up WS chat and never knowing anything about the people behind the posts. Of course its different courses for different horses you may enjoy the friendly posts at mlb.com where all they talk about is baseball and there aren't any personal attacks.

Carl

Carl

R. Alomar

Harley Davidson has a great cd of road songs, as I recall some of cuts are Magic carpet ride Get your motor running etc. I'm partial to Feelin' Alright by Joe Cocker A few Who cuts are always tasty

At camp this year my son had a skunk walk across his chest while he was sleeping and tried to curl up around my feet. They are very aggressive

I wonder if Oakland had a hunch that he wasn't sound. I'm hoping some R&R will help and he can have a strong couple of weeks in October.

If you are going to rip the guy at least get his name right. We expect E-Lo, Bart, and Mark to win games with their arms, after that it's up to our bats, like last night, to come through. If Neal can get us 5-6 maybe 7 innings and we're in position to win he has done as well as can be expected. You win some on the mound and some at the box. Lighten up I've seen worse from better pitchers this season.

You are correct, the best way to use this pen is to keep them on the bench.

Can anyone pitch an inning or two around here? How big of a lead do we need to have a chance in the 9th? Is any lead safe? In a 7 inning game we are unbeatable. Everytime I see JM taking the ball from a starter I think, wake up the bleachers here they come. First we walk a couple guys than the hits start then it's all over. Let's hope someone steps up in the next week or two to at least put a small doubt in the opponent that they might lose. As it is now, if I was playing the Sox, I would feel like I had a chance all the way to the 9th.

In my best Mr. Roger's voice "sure yippies a fun word. let's all say it, Yippie!"

Let's think ahead. How about one for clinching the division ALCS WS