One Man's Timidity Can Set the Tone

[greg775]

Man I watched the replays of the homers and shot to center. My god it's like Javy is steering it right to the bat. Shows you how pitching has deteriorated in baseball that that guy was a game one starter in a playoff series. That was brutal how much he got roughed up. And the OC thing truly was embarrassing and just fired up their crowd more for when he leads off tomorrow. Not good at all.

[caulfield12]

Imagine if Cabrera gets a hit or even a double/triple in that situation. I don't have any problems...sometimes our team needs a little controversy to get dialed in and focused, whether it's self-manufactured or not.

 

You also have to blame Uribe and Thome with not coming through with RISP. It wasn't a great game, but none of us expected a win, and the White Sox just aren't a turf team, period. Our franchise never has been, going back to the 93 playoffs against the Blue Jays.

 

Most fans agree with everything Couch said, and it is unusual to see it expressed so directly/empthatically. The thing is, he's still on our roster and none of this makes it any easier for KW to find someone to take his contract off our hands, let alone get something of value back in return. In fact, I'm afraid we might end up holding onto Vazquez as our fifth starter until at least July of next year, when Contreras' status is more clear. Of course, it will be the final season of Jose's deal as well, and you don't see any kind of scenario where KW offers him (Jose) another deal...unless he just absolutely comes back in 2005/06 form, then you might see a one year deal with a mutual option for 2011. But I HIGHLY doubt that will happen.

Edited October 3, 2008 by caulfield12

[Dick Allen]

Maybe I just remember the days when the Sox didnt even win 1 game from their 5th starter and now we have people who are to good for Javy. Does anyone remember the seasons before 2005 and the parade of garbage that used to pitch for the Sox.

 

I think Javy's performances remind people every day of that garbage. One difference, the Sox weren't paying that garbage $11.5 million a year like they are the current collection of rubbish.

 

[caulfield12]

I think Javy's performances remind people every day of that garbage. One difference, the Sox weren't paying that garbage $11.5 million a year like they are the current collection of rubbish.

 

 

At least with Richard, Poreda...maybe even Broadway and Carrasco, you have a HOPE they can get it done. The results don't see foreordained before the game even begins.

[Soxbadger]

Well if you seriously think Broadway was a better option than Javy yesterday I really dont even know what to say at this point.

 

For all the hate lets look at the facts:

 

4.67 4.57

 

The left number is Javy's era, the right number is the league average era.

 

Richards era was 6.04

 

Broadways era was 7.07

 

Last I checked 4.67

 

Was it Richards 2-5 record before yesterday (if you extrapolate that its the equivalent of going 12-30, Javy was 12-16).

 

The results don't see foreordained before the game even begins.

 

vs. TAM 3.54 1 2 0 0 3 3 0 20.1 16 8 8 1 4 18 .208

 

How could you not have hope when the Rays hit .208 versus Javy?

 

Who cares whether hes a big game pitcher or not, you still had to have hope that based on his performance versus the Rays this season that Javy may be able to get it done.

 

I guess I had more hope in a player who had been able to pitch well against Tampa than pitchers who really havent done anything at all.

 

 

[RockRaines]

So Javy is a below average pitcher who folds in big games? I GUESS that was a supportive post.

[Soxbadger]

Not supportive, just if Javy is below average with a sub 5 era, then what are Broadway and Richard with eras over 6 and 7?

 

Everyone who posts here wishes that the Sox could have started Sandy Koufax (luckily our game wasnt on a high holiday), but the facts are the Sox had no Sandy Koufax available.

 

Given the other options, Vazquez had what would seem like the best chances.

 

I just dont understand how you couldnt hope a guy would win who had a sub 4 era against TB...

 

He didnt win, but there was definitely reason to hope.

 

 

[GoodAsGould]

Not supportive, just if Javy is below average with a sub 5 era, then what are Broadway and Richard with eras over 6 and 7?

 

Everyone who posts here wishes that the Sox could have started Sandy Koufax (luckily our game wasnt on a high holiday), but the facts are the Sox had no Sandy Koufax available.

 

Given the other options, Vazquez had what would seem like the best chances.

 

I just dont understand how you couldnt hope a guy would win who had a sub 4 era against TB...

 

He didnt win, but there was definitely reason to hope.

 

Again you need to stop looking at season stats. Vazquez was complete garbage his last 3 regular season starts, than he ofcourse went into the playoffs and pitched the same. Given that he has pitched like complete horses*** during the most important part of the year you cant justify him starting a game over anyone. Thats why if we make it far enough, I fully expect a 3 man rotation or worse case Richard would become the 4th starter.

 

Just so Im clear, Im not second guessing starting Vazquez game 1 vs Tampa, it was neccesary. But for any future starts I cant justify using him again this playoffs, don't even want to see him in the bullpen.

Edited October 3, 2008 by SoxFan101

[Leonard Zelig]

Excellent column in my opinion by Couch. Have to nod my head in agreement here.

 

http://www.suntimes.com/sports/couch/11994...g100308.article

 

I have to disagree with his comment that the joy surrounding this team, beating three teams in three thrilling days to get here, is gone.

 

I mean yeah, we lost game one, but that's still better than sitting at home.

[WCSox]

That's a strong comment to suggest that Vazquez can't pitch for the White Sox again.

 

Not to mention an incorrect one.

 

Vazquez has value eating innings in the regular season. Given that Jose probably won't be ready to go on Opening Day (and may very well be forced to call it quits) and that the Sox have no decent ML-ready starters in the minors, Javy will almost certainly pitch for the Sox next season. That said, I doubt that Javy will ever start a post-season game for the Sox again.

 

[caulfield12]

I have to disagree with his comment that the joy surrounding this team, beating three teams in three thrilling days to get here, is gone.

 

I mean yeah, we lost game one, but that's still better than sitting at home.

 

 

Agreed...we're playing on a surface where we have an abysmal winning percentage, with our #4 starter. And the home field advantage has been paramount this season, not to mention the White Sox had/have the worst winning percentage (overall) on the road as well.

 

If you want to talk about the joy being gone, you should go to Anaheim and the North Side. They have more reasons to be upset than South Side fans.

 

No matter what any writer tries to say, we've successfully eviscerated the ghost of Minnesota demons of the past, and anything positive we can take out of this series (Wise, Richard yesterday) will only help us in 2009. By my saying that, I'm not convinced that Wise will even be with the team, or that Richard will be much more than Nick Masset as the long guy out of the pen and 2nd lefty option after Matty.

[greg775]

You also have to blame Uribe and Thome with not coming through with RISP

 

Aint that the truth. It would help if Juan would get a clutch hit once in a month.