The 'pen has been spectacular

[Jordan4life_2007]

Yes, I know. Sample size. Yadda, yadda, yadda. But through 10 games, there hasn't been a better bullpen in baseball.

 

White Sox bullpen rankings:

 

ERA: 1st (1.89)

BAA: 1st (.181)

WHIP: 3rd (1.17)

Total SO: 1st (48)

K/9: 1st (12.96)

 

What's really encouraging to me is that this is a "stuff" bullpen. Meaning the chances of it being top-notch all year are much greater than a smoke and mirrors 'pen. Even in 2005, I kept waiting for Cliff Politte, Neal Cotts and Dustin Hermanson to remember they were, um, Cliff Politte, Neal Cotts and Dustin Hermanson. Fortunately, their luck lasted all year. Other than Randy Williams and Scott Linebrink (the latter has looked real good of late), I feel pretty damn good about whoever Ozzie throws out there. Considering how volatile bullpens are, that's a very good feeling. It's early, but from top to bottom, the White Sox pitching staff is as good as it gets.

Edited April 16, 2010 by Jordan4life

[SouthsideDon48]

: And it's amazing to watch Sergio Santos!

[bighurt4life]

: And it's amazing to watch Sergio Santos!

 

totally agree with you. i was very unsure about him going into this season but his stuff is fantastic and i feel pretty confident when they throw him out there.

 

btw, our bullpen had 12k's against the BJ's today, in 6IP, that's unreal.

[Quin]

This season will all come down to the offense if the bullpen keeps it up.

 

3 guys who could all close out games.

A rookie who looks like he is going to be a real special arm for the Sox, maybe the future closer.

Pena is looking good and not like a batting practice pitcher this year.

Who knows, Linebrink might be good all year due to his much smaller workload.

Randy Williams is a decent LOOGY, but I'd almost rather carry Torres as the long guy in case one of the Fab Five can't go 6 innings.

[caulfield12]

There is a unofficial sports rule that no group or subgroup can be called "Fab Five" or "Fab Four" if the team's overall record is below .500.

[Ozzie Ball]

Also:

FIP- 1.78 (1st) Next closest is the Twins at 2.89

xFIP- 2.68 (1st)

[Texsox]

Now to catch a little offensive fire and life could be good in a week or two.

[GoSox05]

The pen is mightier than the bat. Zing.

[lord chas]

just dont tell joe morgan

[Dick Allen]

The Sox had 5 pitchers with 3 strikeouts in 8 innings. I wonder if that has ever happened before.

[DBAHO]

Seems as if Tony Pena has finally found his groove in Chicago also, although it is very early obviously.

 

He was very good at the end of last season though IIRC.

[NorthSideSox72]

Yes, other than Williams, the pen has been great. I had a feeling this pen would be a strength for the team. Pitching, in general, is going to be as strong as any team. Just need the offense to get some consistency going.

 

[Balta1701]

Sean Connery: Because I've ordered devices like that before - wasted a pretty penny, I don't mind telling you. And if the pen is mightier works, I'll order a dozen.

[southsider2k5]

Seems as if Tony Pena has finally found his groove in Chicago also, although it is very early obviously.

 

He was very good at the end of last season though IIRC.

 

Pena is looking like another guy who is showing that a spring with Cooper can really help, and that all changes can't be realized instantly.

[MiddleCoastBias]

I've been forced to watch the Canadian feed streaming online this series (go America ), and I will say, even during Romero's gem, their analysts were still just talking about our bellpen. Game two of the series they spent 2 innings talking about Thornton, and how they were so impressed with him and hope to never face him again. That really says something about the respect our bullpen is getting when their own announcers are talking about our pitching while Romero is still on the mound throwing a no-hitter.

[BigSqwert]

Pena is looking like another guy who is showing that a spring with Cooper can really help, and that all changes can't be realized instantly.

Indeed. I had a good feeling about him going into this season.

[Greg Hibbard]

How are we on Inherited Runners Scored?

[chw42]

Besides Randy Williams and one terrible outing by Linebrink, the bullpen has been very, very good.

[witesoxfan]

wait wait...you guys have penis mightiers?

[ChiliIrishHammock24]

I've been forced to watch the Canadian feed streaming online this series (go America ), and I will say, even during Romero's gem, their analysts were still just talking about our bellpen. Game two of the series they spent 2 innings talking about Thornton, and how they were so impressed with him and hope to never face him again. That really says something about the respect our bullpen is getting when their own announcers are talking about our pitching while Romero is still on the mound throwing a no-hitter.

 

Yes, but they were also mentioning Romero's K count about 15-20 times, even when their offense was up.

[ChiliIrishHammock24]

How are we on Inherited Runners Scored?

 

Well, Randy has allowed at least 3 just during the Jays series (2 last night, and 1 he walked in for Peavy)

[Kalapse]

We have the highest average fastball and slider velocity of any pen in the game.

[MiddleCoastBias]

We have the highest average fastball and slider velocity of any pen in the game.

That's solid. Where did you find that, baseball-reference?

[Ozzie Ball]

That's solid. Where did you find that, baseball-reference?

Fangraphs

http://www.fangraphs.com/teams.aspx?pos=al...010&month=0

[Rowand44]

I expect the pen to be solid all year long. I'm sure Linebrink will have a dip in production in the 2nd half per usual but besides him and Randy Williams everyone else in the pen should be real good all year imo.