Interesting Fact

[Cochise]

For me I really had a bad feeling in my stomach on opening day last year when Contreras just got owned by the Indians. Buehrle had a similar opening day start, but there was a totally different feel we felt in it until the end, and I thought we had the game won (if not for some questionable umpiring). For me, the bullpen collapse began on May 8 of last year when we were winning in the bottom of the 9th against the Twins and Morneau hit an absolute bomb into that goofy garbage bag wall in Minny. I forget who it was off of, it doesn't matter really. Then the Cubs series just amplified things and made the team even more of an embarrassment. This team has a stronger pen, a more confident offense and outstanding starting pitching. Sure things could go south, but I don't think we could be nearly as miserable as last season. Remember 2005 when we had a miserable August and a not so great beginning of September? What if we had our version of that already. It'd be real sweet if our best baseball was still ahead of us. For once I want the Sox to be a team that finishes strong (during the regular season). Aside from 2005 this has been mostly a team that goes to the very end and then just craps out (see Esteban Loaiza in 2003 and the 2006 squad).

[LVSoxFan]

Yeah I remember 2003.

 

You're right, and hell: ANYTHING's better than last season. That was miserable. At least this club shows some life.

[scenario]

Not trying to be negative; just taking a wait-and-see attitude.

 

Not trying to be negative... but doing a mighty fine job of it.

[CanOfCorn]

2007 White Sox: They gave up.

2008 White Sox: They don't give up.

 

It's all about attitude. Players like Swish, Cab and Thome are struggling because they are trying too hard. Which is much better than last year when they looked like they were sleep-walking. So, I really don't care about statistics, I care about attitude. And I think this team is going to relax enough later in the season that some of their bats will wake up. Even if some of them could hit .250 for the season...that means they have improved and hit much better later in the season.

[witesoxfan]

It is? Up until six games ago:

 

-Feast-or-famine offense

-No base stealing threats/speed

-No opposite field hitting/bunting

-No leadoff hitter

-Total lack of run production resulting in gem starter performances being wasted

-Aging, slugger performers in the middle of the lineup not getting anything going

-No decent backup catcher

 

Sound familiar? Granted, things are going better now and cheers to Ozzie for messing with the lineup, which seems to have done the trick.

 

But let's talk in a month. Not trying to be negative; just taking a wait-and-see attitude.

 

you missed a couple

 

-no Aaron Rowand

-no SMALL BALL

[santo=dorf]

Wasnt it the 1st Cubs series that really started the slide last year??

AKA the return of Tubby Hall from the DL. Yes, it was all downhill after that.

[Reddy]

Note what I actually said. I said nothing of the offense "clicking" as a whole, or that AJ or CQ won't come back to earth. What I pointed out was that this offense is already far better than last year's. And further, look at the lineup, and see how many players are above, at, or below their career norms. There are far more below than above. Only 1 is really above - AJ - and he has hit almost that well at times in his career, when he's used this hitting approach. And yet, you've got Thome, Konerko, O-Cab, Uribe, and Swisher all below. Plus Ramirez as a rookie doing badly so far, will likely adjust. So to me, on balance, there is more postive room than negative room there.

That's why I think the idea that this team is like 2007 waiting to happen doesn't really make any sense.

 

 

see tonight.

[witesoxfan]

see tonight.

 

The White Sox hit good fastballs. They are terrible against junk pitchers. Does this really surprise you? Over the past 4-5 years, Byrd has absolutely owned the White Sox, so seeing him shutting down the Sox tonight really doesn't surprise me at all and it shouldn't surprise anyone.

[Kalapse]

5.1 IP, 5 H, 5 R, 5 ER, 2 BB, 1 K, 1 HR

 

Sheer dominance.

[Reddy]

see tonight.

 

eating crow.

[Rowand44]

Here's a real interesting fact that actually pertains to this season: We're the only division leader so far who has played more road games than home games.

[Reddy]

Here's a real interesting fact that actually pertains to this season: We're the only division leader so far who has played more road games than home games.

 

yeah our schedule so far really has been pretty sick on that front. good point.

[Reddy]

we're also one of only 2 teams in the AL with a winning road record. the other being Oakland. so that's nice.