Momentum Shift

[WhiteSoxNews]

SPORTS ANALYSTS OVERREACTED AFTER THURSDAY'S LOSS

Sure, it wasn't the greatest position, but was it the end as everyone insisted?

 

 

Undoubtedly there is a big difference between being two games back and one game back, much less three games back, which would have been the outcome had yesterday's two close games gone in Detroit's favor. It's all about getting hot at the end. After Thursday's game every analyst was ready to count out the White Sox. Yet, they weren't ready to count out Tampa Bay or the Angels, who had similar deficits. Was it an overreaction? I think so. Does it mean we are out of the woods? No, but Chris Sale can be our compass. If the White Sox tie Detroit for first tomorrow, then it simply proves the complex dynamic of a division race, and how quickly the outlooks change. For example, at two games out, all of the sports-related articles deemed Detroit a clear winner, and emphasized how difficult it would be for the White Sox to lessen the deficit.However, at one game out it is suddenly a closely contested race again. The reason for this switch is the quick drawing of conclusions that occurred on Thursday. The denial that the underdog could actually beat the favored team. Well, erase all of those fine line statements and call the AL Central what it really is, a division up for grabs.

Edited September 29, 2012 by WhiteSoxNews

[cabiness42]

Did people overreact? No. The offense still only scored three runs. Do you think the pitchers can allow 2 or fewer runs for five more games in a row? Unlikely.

[whtsoxfan]

Well, guess what? A one game winning streak is not a shift. The offense is still missing and the pitching is running on fumes. Sale's gone today in the 4th and Sox hitters, well, don't have a hit.

[joeynach]

I look at it this way. How many times does a team blow a 3 game lead with 11 left to play, find themselves down 2 games with 4 left to play, then come back and win/tie for division. It doesnt happen like that. Usually, once you blow it, you blow it. Historically, I would be shocked if you found more than 1 or 2 examples over 100+ years of baseball of the above mentioned situation. I also think the same way in games themselves. How many times does a baseball team comeback and win in the 9th after blowing a big lead in the 8th or Top of the 9th. How many times does an NFL team come back and win it on the last drive of the game late in 4th Quarter after surrendering the go ahead score on the previous drive by their opponent. How many times does an NBA team blow a 10+ point lead late in the 4th, go to OT, then come out and blow the game open again and win after blowing in regulation. Sure they happen, but more on the 1 out of 100 scale, so like I said, typically, once you blow it, you blow it. The Sox ran out of gas and had to rely on flawed rookie pitchers in season riding situations in ordered to stave off Detroit down the stretch. Just wasn't going to happen.

[kitekrazy]

I look at it this way. How many times does a team blow a 3 game lead with 11 left to play, find themselves down 2 games with 4 left to play, then come back and win/tie for division. It doesnt happen like that. Usually, once you blow it, you blow it. Historically, I would be shocked if you found more than 1 or 2 examples over 100+ years of baseball of the above mentioned situation. I also think the same way in games themselves. How many times does a baseball team comeback and win in the 9th after blowing a big lead in the 8th or Top of the 9th. How many times does an NFL team come back and win it on the last drive of the game late in 4th Quarter after surrendering the go ahead score on the previous drive by their opponent. How many times does an NBA team blow a 10+ point lead late in the 4th, go to OT, then come out and blow the game open again and win after blowing in regulation. Sure they happen, but more on the 1 out of 100 scale, so like I said, typically, once you blow it, you blow it. The Sox ran out of gas and had to rely on flawed rookie pitchers in season riding situations in ordered to stave off Detroit down the stretch. Just wasn't going to happen.

 

It happens. I think the casual fan could see this coming since they are not as emotionally involved and history says post ASB choke.

 

[joeynach]

It happens. I think the casual fan could see this coming since they are not as emotionally involved and history says post ASB choke.

 

I think thats a scenario that happens on the order of the 5% realm. And most likely there was something great about those teams, like they had they best three pitchers, all lights out, going in 3 of the final 4 games and were able to re-capture the lead. This team isn't built that way, there is a reason 14 games over was their high water mark, and there is a reason they couldn't put more than 3 games of separation between them and DET over the last 2 months. Basically they dont have any dominant pitching or dominant bullpen to anchor the team during the fluctuations in run scoring. And yes Chris Sale included, b/c as expected he wore down once he hit around 120IP in early August. Since Aug 1 hes 5-5 with a 3.83 ERA and .270 BAA. Not dominant at all.

Edited October 1, 2012 by joeynach