Highland

Maybe Moncada just stinks, or maybe something physically is wrong with him. Fans think he's not hustling, but I wonder if he can't run all that fast. If a player has problems with his legs, he can't be an effective hitter. I wonder if the Sox are in denial and maybe Moncada is as well.

This is an example of a talented team, but not one gelling into a cohesive unit.

And I put the Hawk hire on JR and Eddie Einhorn. Changing GMs is a big decision, and they acted on impulse. Don Drysdale was in the booth with Hawk and knocked Hemond and before you know, Hawk was the new GM. No real thinking this through, just handing the job over to one guy without exploring their options. Hawk was nothing a bull in a china shop. The Sox spent the rest of the 1980s under .500 including a last place finish in 1989. Another impulsive action: The second LaRussa hire.

The Sox have done this more than several times this season. Down one in the ninth, they meekly go down 1-2-3 with the ball not leaving the infield. There is something disturbing about this.

This is right. Vaughn isn't a right fielder and putting him out there is setting him up to fail. This is something the Sox have done a lot of during these many years. Just stick someone somewhere and watch him embarrass himself. Vaughn is going to be a very good hitter someday. He will never be an outfielder.

I think it was four. I lost count.

So much for the easy win. Never let Vaughn play right field again. He has no clue out there. If he can't play first or DH, sit him on the bench. The hardest hit ball was Grandal's out in the eighth. Left the bases loaded in the first. Normal for this team. Home run? There wasn't even a ball hit to the warning track. Otherwise, everything popped up, no line drives. Cueto deserved to win this game. No runs should have scored in the seventh. The Sox were lucky they scored at all.

I don't think there is a really easy win for the White Sox. Their offense can go into a slumber against anyone no matter who is pitching for them. They should win, but that doesn't mean they will, and if they do, it won't be easy.

I think they will, too. They are fortunate to be in the Central, but they do have some talent. I just wish they would use that talent more often and stop running themselves out of innings. A grand slam once in a while would also help.

The pitching has been good for the past five days. Should have won all five.

Wonder how bad things are with Robert. The Sox are not going to win the division without him.

Hawk was clearly in over his head. The LaRussa firing was handled badly and made the organization look like amateurs. But Hahn has more than enough time to turn this thing around. This offseason is important. If he misfires again, the tank will be for nothing.

Anyone who thinks we can catch Cleveland is crazy.

Looking at the team on paper, it would appear to be salvageable. But I don't think the organization can pull it off. Does it even want to pull it off?

What was more astounding was the hire in the first place. Otherwise, JR likes to keep people like Ventura and LaRussa even when it's obvious things are not working. Meanwhile, the situation gets more and more embarrassing.

This is not what the Sox needed. Regardless, the problems the team has can't be solved at the trade deadline.

I'll be surprised if the Sox make a dramatic move. I don't think they are in a position to make a big move. Maybe they pick up a reliever.

The White Sox, for some reason, always have trouble with KC. They should win this series, but I'm not assuming they are going on some tear. They scored 10 runs against the A's and one came on a wild pitch. And, as of game 101, they are only one game over .500.

If Eloy and Robert can get on their games, the offense will look much better. He's swinging the bat well. Time to move him up in the lineup. Pollock should not be hitting third if Eloy is playing. Should never be in the third spot if both Eloy and Robert are both playing.

I am not one for thinking ejections spark a team. The White Sox have been mired in third place, and they should be embarrassed by that. If TA wants to inspire the team, have a big day at the plate or play some solid defense. Show some leadership. Getting suspended is not showing leadership.

I don't know what is going on with Robert, but the Sox desperately need him in this lineup. Without him and Eloy contributing, this team will have a hard time winning a bad division. This offense is awful.

Should be because I can't see the A's breaking through against Cease unless he has a real bad day. But this offense just isn't very good so this can be a close game.

This team can't hit. Seems like every game the Sox are lucky to get one hit during the first time around. Glad for the win, but the offense still looked anemic.

For me, it is not a matter of giving up. It is a matter of having little expectations. This FO has shown it cannot build a consistent winner. And nothing is going to change on that front.

We shouldn't be salivating about the "easy" schedule ahead. The Sox are not a winning team yet.