caulfield12

From the way Ozzie and Cooper were conferring in the dugout, I think they forgot the rule and cost Santos/Thornton a save in the process. It doesn't matter in the overall scheme of things, but I would be pissed if I was Matt going into free agency. He has a guaranteed contract for 2-3 more years now, so it's irrelevant in that sense. You could see Matt had that look like "you've got to be kidding me, right?" when he was pulled. I think there's more value there for Thornton to get out the side 1-2-3 and keep rebuilding his confidence.

Because the tying run wasn't on deck when he entered, apparently.

Oh, forgot Santos can't get the save here. This is just weird. Why take the save away from Matt? And then have Santos face a lefty? Do the White Sox get a "TEAM SAVE" but not an individually-credited one for a pitcher?

Would anyone trade Dunn for Joe Mauer's contract??? I don't think that would be a good idea. Mauer doesn't even have a homer yet this season. Why Thornton? This is weird. I know there a lot of lefties coming up, but Matt still scares us as the closer, doesn't he? OZZIE, if you put Santos in against Moustakas, you're the dumbest manager in baseball. Why would you take Thorton out there? Just to get Santos the save???? WHAT???

WHERE THE HELL WAS BAINES THERE? YOU HAVE TO KNOW THE STADIUM you're in....c'mon!!!! I guess Ramirez probably went on his own on instinct...but Baines barely glanced back. Guess it happened too quickly to stop him. Still doesn't seen that Baines was very demonstrative.

Tiger Woods isn't a winner! Still can't believe those stories that he's having financial problems. That would be simply incredible, after he appeared to be on the verge of lapping anything Michael Jordan did in terms of endorsements and his actual payout for performance. I remember all those stories of him being the first billion dollar athlete. Now? Not so much.

Lester was always the example in front of Danks, but you'd have to argue that Lester's on a whole different level...certainly the last season or two. LeBron James. Wilt Chamberlain. A-Rod. Lionel Messi. Danica Patrick. Dale Earnhardt Jr. JOKING.

QUOTE (Balta1701 @ Jul 18, 2011 -> 08:26 PM) I wonder what would happen if you offered him $10 mil a year but made it for like 12 years. His agent and the union would fight it. I'd be concerned about the US economic disaster looming, and hyperinflation setting in and eroding the value of that contract. Of course, if interest rates stay flat or close to zero, it wouldn't be a bad idea. Crain has been so steady all season...as expected, some big-game meltdowns, but what relief pitcher is perfect these days? None.

QUOTE (kapzk @ Jul 18, 2011 -> 08:15 PM) Really? I was hoping a bit less money maybe about 10-12, even Konerko isnt that highly paid. Maybe Buerhle would take somewhat of a discount with us. Danks I doubt would demand that much given how this season has been on him. Hopefully we can lock him up to long term somewhere between 9-11 million per Danks is going to get paid big-time, and it won't be anything close to $9-10 million for a long-term deal. Warming up to the idea of the Twins getting swept and being 2 1/2 behind us...one way or the other, we're going to have to beat the Indians and Twins head-to-head down the stretch. Buehrle has gone 13 starts without giving up more than 3 runs. And yet he's winless for a month. That's all you need to know about the Sox offensive offense.

That'll work. But Gordon, you just don't look dangerous up there. If he hit out of a bit more of a crouch and had his bat more parallel to the ground...I don't know, if I was an opposing pitcher, I'd just pump in fastball after fastball and dare him to beat me with his hands. AJ trying to get another balk call. God....the thing they need most is a REAL 3B, and they're boxed in not being able to do anything to acquire one, unless it's just a 2 month rental.

Lillibridge was out. Lucky call. Rios on the road versus Dunn's overall BA. It's the most interestingly egregious stat we can track, the battle to get to .150. I hope that wasn't Rios running at his top speed there.

QUOTE (Balta1701 @ Jul 18, 2011 -> 08:08 PM) That level of midseason move just doesn't sound like the Twins to me. I meant the Indians. They're one more bat away (without Shoo) from being a very, very solid team. 3-2 Indians, still threatening with 1st/3rd and just one out. New pitcher for the Twins.

QUOTE (danman31 @ Jul 18, 2011 -> 08:02 PM) Rooting for the Twins when they are 1.5 games behind us? In that series just be happy one of them has to lose. I respect the Twins as a division contender more than the Indians anyway. But that all changes if they can acquire a Beltran or Jose Reyes caliber of player. 7 in a row retired.....13 consecutive starts where Buehrle hasn't given up more than 3 runs (at most). Amazingly consistent at this stage in his career. I'd almost rather go 2 seasons at $14-15 million (with Mark) than Danks for five years at the same money. Those huge, long-term pitching contracts are just so risky.

That play by Beckham was remarkably flawless and too easy looking.

QUOTE (kitekrazy @ Jul 18, 2011 -> 07:58 PM) At times it's hard to believe the weakest teams today like the Royals were once power houses in baseball. Pirates in the 80's/early 90's, Orioles, Royals, Astros, Padres...

Things are going from bad to historically horrific with Dunn. Patented Konerko shoulder shrug. Ramirez hits the ball off the end of the bat.

Twins tie it 2-2 on Valencia solo homer off Carmona. Go Twins!!! Paulie 4th in all the 3 major hitting categories for his AL ranks.

55% success rate on steals and falling. Mostly, this is on Pierre, but we're also not getting anything out of Rios in that category this year, either. Ramirez is running less than ever, too. Somehow the Twins pull up this Diamond guy from the minors and he gives up on 2 ER in 6 IP. But Indians still leading. Moustakas certainly not exactly competing for AL ROY, lol. I wonder how much longer they'll leave him up there with how much he's struggling. Have no choice, since he's your future. But ugly stretch for him hitting-wise.

How do you get thrown out SO BADLY on a hanging curveball??? Yikes.

Davies was well up over 100 pitches with 100 degree heat. And Teahen against a LHP looked like a sure K. That was the right call. Sox from 2nd to 12th in AL Stolen Bases. 56% success rate. STERLING.

Atta boy, Jean Pierre. 10 game hitting streak. Pierre and Beckham picking it up ... but still no Dunn and Rios sightings. Except for Rios at almost .160 on the road. Could Lillibridge really hit that poorly (or DeAza/Milledge/Danks) in all the road games, even against RHP? MAYBE!!

Very fortunate there...hard to score AJ on any ball hit on the infield. Pull and don't lift swing there.

Chris Getz wasn't set up correctly there for that throw...lucky. Bad throw, too. But we still have to take advantage with Teahen actually not K'ing against a lefty. I'd almost rather PH Vizquel here. At least he'll make contact.

Indians now out in front of the Twins, 2-1. 3 1/2 GB vs. 5 1/2 GB in the balance. Rios hitting a Dunn-like .164 on the road. Why did he swing at that pitch? Well, the strikeout call was definitely outside, in his defense.

Rios very very lucky that Ramirez fielded that horrible throw cleanly. It's academic, Buehrle gives up the single. Cabrera with the bat flip?? Really?? I think Buehrle might drill him next time if there are 2 outs. White Sox baseball, you got to love it. Lead evaporated.