Upcoming Week - Chance to get within 2-3 GB of the Twins

[Lip Man 1]

5 minutes ago, South Side Hit Men said:

Possible monkey wrench thrown into the Sunday game with Kopech's normal slot listed as TBD. Wonder if they are shutting him down until after the ASB, with possibly a start next week in Chicago. Don't want him out too long to through off location and timing.

Perhaps the Sox will go Banks on Friday and Toussaint on Sunday. I'd prefer the Sox IL Kopech and bring up someone who can give a few innings here if they are shutting Michael down until after the ASB.

Either that or his bout of wildness indicates he is now injured to go along with almost half of this team it seems.  

I mean a legit injury and not a "oh we need to give him a break so let's invent a strained eyeball or a sprained little toe."

Edited June 30, 2023 by Lip Man 1

[South Side Hit Men]

24 minutes ago, Lip Man 1 said:

Either that or his bout of wildness indicates he is now injured to go along with almost half of this team it seems.  

I mean a legit injury and not a "oh we need to give him a break so let's invent a strained eyeball or a sprained little toe."

I give players the benefit of the doubt when it comes to performance and what they are dealing with in terms of injuries.

Tony also set back the development of key younger players (primarily Vaughn, Burger, Kopech, Crochet) for short term considerations, while also prioritizing weaker veterans over players under 30 beyond the four hyped guys (Yoan, Tim, Luis and Eloy).

For Michael, it seemed as though they sacrificed his long term success as a starter to fill one of Tony's cookie cutter bullpen slots in 2021. He was primarily used as a 1 inning guy after shutting him down in May until his final two games of the season (July 1 through Sept 26; 28 appearances, 32 innings). He would have been better starting the season in June or July as a starter (either here or Charlotte), targeting 90-100 innings under his belt so he could have expanded to 130-150 last year, and 160-180 this year. Crochet has been even more mismanaged, both in usage and his injuries.

Hahn also missed an opportunity to claim Plesac, giving them much needed depth and taking away depth from Cleveland in the process. Glad they claimed Touki, but would have been great to have claimed both.

Edited June 30, 2023 by South Side Hit Men

[chitownsportsfan]

Well, they are back to 11 under and around 4 back. Think this is the like the 4th time they've approached this "turning point" in the last six weeks only for the "turning point" to turn into a U Turn. Keep winning series and get it to 5 under and a game or two back by the ASB and at least give even the most cynical fans a couple weeks to dream on.

[The Kids Can Play]

14 hours ago, SonofaRoache said:

Have you been watching the NCAAT lately? 

Absolutely and I haven't ever missed one. I understand the point you are suggesting that the mid majors in the last few years have gone a bit further than normal. However as I stated accurately, they have never gotten to the championship game or won the title. That is my analogy to the Sox. Even if the Sox got past one and done, which is doubtful, there is no way they are winning the World Series. If anyone actually thinks they can win the WS, then I recommend they put a big bet down on the Sox to win the 2023 World series and take advantage of the (+15,000) sportsbook odds. Then when the Sox win the World Series they can collect $75,000.

[T R U]

2 minutes ago, The Kids Can Play said:

Absolutely and I haven't ever missed one. I understand the point you are suggesting that the mid majors in the last few years have gone a bit further than normal. However as I stated accurately, they have never gotten to the championship game or won the title. That is my analogy to the Sox. Even if the Sox got past one and done, which is doubtful, there is no way they are winning the World Series. If anyone actually thinks they can win the WS, then I recommend they put a big bet down on the Sox to win the 2023 World series and take advantage of the (+15,000) sportsbook odds. Then when the Sox win the World Series they can collect $75,000.

You cant compare this to the men's tournament. Can FDU upset Purdue? Of course. Can FDU beat Purdue in a best of 3? 5? 7? Highly unlikely.

Single elimination tournaments open the door for lesser teams to advance further than they probably should. Wining a series against a superior team is much more difficult.

[The Kids Can Play]

1 minute ago, T R U said:

You cant compare this to the men's tournament. Can FDU upset Purdue? Of course. Can FDU beat Purdue in a best of 3? 5? 7? Highly unlikely.

Single elimination tournaments open the door for lesser teams to advance further than they probably should. Wining a series against a superior team is much more difficult.

You're missing my point that goes back to the original comments in the original post. I realize singe elimination is different with the NCAA compared to baseball. I was talking about the overall big picture of winning it all. My analogy was the mid majors are never going to win the NCAA title, just like the Sox in 2023 are not going to win the World Series. Hence why the odds are +15,000. 

My other point that I was stressing in the original post was the Sox FO needs to keep things in a realistic perspective and not pass up key trade deadline moves, thinking they we can still win the division and maybe get lucky and go all the way. 

[T R U]

36 minutes ago, The Kids Can Play said:

You're missing my point that goes back to the original comments in the original post. I realize singe elimination is different with the NCAA compared to baseball. I was talking about the overall big picture of winning it all. My analogy was the mid majors are never going to win the NCAA title, just like the Sox in 2023 are not going to win the World Series. Hence why the odds are +15,000. 

My other point that I was stressing in the original post was the Sox FO needs to keep things in a realistic perspective and not pass up key trade deadline moves, thinking they we can still win the division and maybe get lucky and go all the way. 

I agree with you, I wasn't trying to say you were wrong. Probably shouldn't have quoted your post and just did a stand alone.

[The Kids Can Play]

9 minutes ago, T R U said:

I agree with you, I wasn't trying to say you were wrong. Probably shouldn't have quoted your post and just did a stand alone.

Thanks!

[SonofaRoache]

8 hours ago, The Kids Can Play said:

You're missing my point that goes back to the original comments in the original post. I realize singe elimination is different with the NCAA compared to baseball. I was talking about the overall big picture of winning it all. My analogy was the mid majors are never going to win the NCAA title, just like the Sox in 2023 are not going to win the World Series. Hence why the odds are +15,000. 

My other point that I was stressing in the original post was the Sox FO needs to keep things in a realistic perspective and not pass up key trade deadline moves, thinking they we can still win the division and maybe get lucky and go all the way. 

We get your point. We are saying that mid majors not only win first round games, but they've advanced to Final Fours and title games. Games against mid majors aren't auto blowouts, as many mid majors are competitive in the tournament every year. Which is why the comparison is off. 

[The Kids Can Play]

4 minutes ago, SonofaRoache said:

We get your point. We are saying that mid majors not only win first round games, but they've advanced to Final Fours and title games. Games against mid majors aren't auto blowouts, as many mid majors are competitive in the tournament every year. Which is why the comparison is off. 

Actually my comparison was not off and was a good one, in the sense the NCAA small schools can win some games as you pointed out, but they are never going to win the NCAA championship, just like the Sox will not win the World Series this year. 

Btw, I never said going back to my original post that mid major losses were automatic blowouts. I don't give a crap if a team gets blown out or loses by 2...it's a loss. So please don't put words in my mouth.

Yes there have been a few exceptions of NCAA schools that at one point were so called mid majors that did end up going far. However that was only after they eventually recruited a top 5-10 national recruiting class. For example, like when Las Vegas, U Mass, or Gonzaga went far, was only because they actually recruited a national top 5 class. When that happens it doesn't count as a so called mid major, because the fact is they actually have a better recruiting class in those years than many of the top Blue Blood schools. I'm was referring to the mid majors that don't have players beyond a 2 star recruit. 

My point was a NCAA school with 2 star recruits is never going to beat the schools with the 4 and 5 star recruits. This is exactly where the Sox are at. The Sox do not have the talent of TB, Bal, Hou, Atl, Ariz to name a few. Hence why the Sox won't win the World Series. If the Sox could realistically win the WS. then why in the hell are they +15,000 to win the WS by all sportsbooks? You obviously never read the original comments and are taking the entire post out of perspective, based on what my analogy was. 

 

 

 

[South Side Hit Men]

The best Sox can be is 3 1/2 entering Monday.

The Sox need to go 4-2 the remaining six against Oakland to win the season series.

• Oakland is now 4-6 .400 vs. AL Central. NL Central (6-6 .500); NL West (1-2 .333); AL East (5-15 .250); NL East (2-10 .167); AL West (4-23 .148).
• Oakland won the season series over three current or former NL 1st place teams: Atlanta (2-1); Milwaukee (3-0) & Pittsburgh (2-1).
• Oakland leads the season series against Kansas City (2-1 with 3 to play) and Chicago (1-0 with 6 to play).

[Timmy U]

This dream is over. They will finish either 3-4 or 4-3 (I refuse to contemplate being swept by the A’s) For exactly 2 years now since the 2021 ASB this team has proven they are a .500 team except this year when they’re a .500 team with a 10 game losing streak. If they keep everyone, they win 74-76 games. Trade veteran pitchers, they win 64 games but have more assets for next year. I am on the record as to which I prefer. End the denial.

[Balta1701]

I love these “this part of the schedule is super weak” and “here’s our chance to make a move” threads. Literally none of them have worked! What a great summary of the Hahn plan.

[caulfield12]

Can we buy Hahn a trip on one of those Virgin Galactic space journeys before he can screw up things any more in July?

[caulfield12]

10 minutes ago, Balta1701 said:

I love these “this part of the schedule is super weak” and “here’s our chance to make a move” threads. Literally none of them have worked! What a great summary of the Hahn plan.

That's going to take away 25-30% of Benetti's material second half.

Now down to concessions item promotions.

[Big Hurtin]

5 hours ago, Balta1701 said:

I love these “this part of the schedule is super weak” and “here’s our chance to make a move” threads. Literally none of them have worked! What a great summary of the Hahn plan.

Hahn sucks, Grifol is in over his head, and Jerry Reinsdorf is who he is.

The one that always gets a pass for some reason is Kenny Williams.  He should be meeting with these 2 guys.

.

 

[South Side Hit Men]

Baltimore is through 22 innings this weekend and have scored 1 run.

Not that the Sox deserve help at this point. Cheering for the Guardians or Detroit to win the division from here on out, barring a 22 game White Sox win streak to close out July.

[SonofaRoache]

On 6/30/2023 at 6:03 PM, The Kids Can Play said:

Actually my comparison was not off and was a good one, in the sense the NCAA small schools can win some games as you pointed out, but they are never going to win the NCAA championship, just like the Sox will not win the World Series this year. 

Btw, I never said going back to my original post that mid major losses were automatic blowouts. I don't give a crap if a team gets blown out or loses by 2...it's a loss. So please don't put words in my mouth.

Yes there have been a few exceptions of NCAA schools that at one point were so called mid majors that did end up going far. However that was only after they eventually recruited a top 5-10 national recruiting class. For example, like when Las Vegas, U Mass, or Gonzaga went far, was only because they actually recruited a national top 5 class. When that happens it doesn't count as a so called mid major, because the fact is they actually have a better recruiting class in those years than many of the top Blue Blood schools. I'm was referring to the mid majors that don't have players beyond a 2 star recruit. 

My point was a NCAA school with 2 star recruits is never going to beat the schools with the 4 and 5 star recruits. This is exactly where the Sox are at. The Sox do not have the talent of TB, Bal, Hou, Atl, Ariz to name a few. Hence why the Sox won't win the World Series. If the Sox could realistically win the WS. then why in the hell are they +15,000 to win the WS by all sportsbooks? You obviously never read the original comments and are taking the entire post out of perspective, based on what my analogy was. 

 

 

 

The White Sox aren't a mid major though. They choose to be cheap non competitive clowns. The A's and Rays are a different story in terms of market. 

[SonofaRoache]

On 6/29/2023 at 9:46 AM, SonofaRoache said:

We are the easy on a schedule. Oakland is licking their chops. 

Uh huh. 

[SonofaRoache]

On 6/26/2023 at 12:53 AM, SonofaRoache said:

There is a better chance that we get swept by Oakland. 

Uh huh. 

[Bob Sacamano]

Can’t believe we are playing a must-win game to avoid getting swept against the worst team in baseball.

[chitownsportsfan]

4 minutes ago, Bob Sacamano said:

Can’t believe we are playing a must-win game to avoid getting swept against the worst team in baseball.

You better believe it cause you are in it son.

[flavum]

On 6/25/2023 at 8:08 PM, flavum said:

I feel like this week is more of an opportunity for the Guardians to catch the Twins. 

The Sox will go 3-4 and only gain a half game.

Hey, I got one right for once.

[flavum]

Guardians about to blow one to the Cubs.

They host the Braves tomorrow night

[kgrittenburg]

On 6/25/2023 at 7:16 PM, South Side Hit Men said:

Both teams on the road next week, Minnesota traveling to Atlanta (.649) and Baltimore (.618) for six games in which they may only win 1 or 2.

Meanwhile the Sox look to have a solid chance of winning 4 or 5, and an outside chance at winning 6.

Realistic best case scenario: Sox 5-2 Twins 1-5 = Minnesota 41-44 & Chicago 39-47 2 1/2 GB

Crazy best case scenario: Sox 6-1 Twins 0-6 = Minnesota 40-45 & Chicago 40-46 1/2 GB

Anaheim

• RHP Dylan Cease (3-3 4.22) vs. LHP Reid Detmers (1-5 4.02): Chatham native Reid's first start against the White Sox, hoping the Sox can pounce the LHS.
• RHP Michael Kopech (3-6 4.06) vs. RHP Shohei Ohtani (6-3 3.13): Shohei's chance to impress White Sox brass for his upcoming Free Agency. All kidding aside, Sox need to be patient and extend pitch counts to hopefully get at their bullpen. Touki will likely be the pairing after 4-5 innings.
• RHP Lucas Giolito (5-5 3.41) vs. RHP Jamie Barria (2-2 2.14). This is a winnable game with Lucas on the mound. Barria pitched the Sox tough in May, but again working counts and getting to the bullpen a key to this one. 
• RHP Lance Lynn (4-8 6.40) vs. LHP Patrick Sandoval (4-6 4.16). Lynn pitched awful in his May start, but looks to have turning things around this month. The Sox are 2-0 vs. Patrick, hoping success against LH starters continue to close out the series.

Oakland

• Friday LHP Tanner Banks (0-2 4.50) & RHP Jesse Scholtens (1-2 2.31); Saturday RHP Dylan Cease & Sunday Michael Kopech: 3-0 needs to be the target, 2-1 worst case scenario, for the Sox to return home within a few games of first place in the American League Central. Oakland has gone 1-9 in their last 10 games, and hopefully are spent after their mini June rally around the boycott game.

Let's Do This!

afraid not, problem with these optomist threads is ignoring the fact that this team sucks