5/24 Sox vs Twins

[Balta1701]

Well every recent Cuban player seemed to level out after the first hot season, so I hope they took into account some regression.

 

That being said, this version of Abreu could be enough but zero starting pitchers have an ERA under 4, the leadoff hitter can't get on base, and the two big offensive FA acquisitions aren't hitting. That and defense.

This version of Abreu is an ok player. Still worth his contract but no where near "the best hitter on earth" which is what he looked like for good parts of last year. This version of Abreu can fit into a lineup on a winning team that you've built with lots of pieces around him. Last year's version of Abreu was good enough to compensate for other holes in the lineup.

 

We built this team this year on the assumption that Abreu was good enough to compensate offensively for some of the holes in the lineup and that it wouldn't kill us if 3b/C were below average.

 

And since its Memorial Day, at least for the first evaluation period of the season, that has been a terrible bet. Bad enough that a smart player might take their losses and walk out of the casino.

[flavum]

15 f***ing runs scored in a 7-game homestand.

 

Pitiful.

[LittleHurt05]

At least we have Hector Noesi starting tomorrow.

 

He can't pitch much worse than Q did today

[LittleHurt05]

This version of Abreu is an ok player. Still worth his contract but no where near "the best hitter on earth" which is what he looked like for good parts of last year. This version of Abreu can fit into a lineup on a winning team that you've built with lots of pieces around him. Last year's version of Abreu was good enough to compensate for other holes in the lineup.

 

We built this team this year on the assumption that Abreu was good enough to compensate offensively for some of the holes in the lineup and that it wouldn't kill us if 3b/C were below average.

 

And since its Memorial Day, at least for the first evaluation period of the season, that has been a terrible bet. Bad enough that a smart player might take their losses and walk out of the casino.

 

Well said, I can't disagree and you didn't mention the rookie 2B (both of them ).

 

That bet also hinged on better starting pitching, to whom they did no favors by not bringing in people who can catch the ball.

[greg775]

2-8 or 3-7 road trip should about eliminate this bad team

[Soxfest]

2-8 or 3-7 road trip should about eliminate this bad team

If that happens this team is done.

[flavum]

Not even taking offense in consideration, if you were told before the season that the starters ERA would be 4.64 after 41 games, 19-22 would seem about right, or generous.

[Greg Hibbard]

I'm still not giving up yet. I would feel much much worse if we had put together great stats and had a 19-22 record to show for it because we kept losing 6 games by one run to win the 7th by 14.

 

What's not sustainable are the stats our players are putting up. This team has already shown the ability to put one winning streak together, and another 8-9-10 game stretch of really good baseball isn't just possible, it's an eventuality.

 

We have no hope of the division if KC stays this hot but I refuse to believe this particular group of players doesn't have an 85-90 win season in them.

[Tannerfan]

I'm still not giving up yet. I would feel much much worse if we had put together great stats and had a 19-22 record to show for it because we kept losing 6 games by one run to win the 7th by 14.

 

What's not sustainable are the stats our players are putting up. This team has already shown the ability to put one winning streak together, and another 8-9-10 game stretch of really good baseball isn't just possible, it's an eventuality.

 

We have no hope of the division if KC stays this hot but I refuse to believe this particular group of players doesn't have an 85-90 win season in them.

 

You're dreaming.

[WilliamTell]

It is so hard to watch this team at times. They are always so uninspiring against Minnesota, although this team has been uninspiring most of the year.

[flavum]

You're dreaming.

 

Can't blame anyone for not giving up yet. They've played 25% of the season.

 

Hahn has said in the past you know who you are after 60 games. No harm in giving them three more weeks to get it going. After that, open season.

[Greg Hibbard]

You're dreaming.

 

Ok.

[Greg Hibbard]

2-8 or 3-7 road trip should about eliminate this bad team

 

Agreed but I think they will go 4-6 or better.

[flavum]

Also, it's 11 games.

 

They need to go 7-4 to make up for this homestand, period.

 

 

[Greg Hibbard]

Also, it's 11 games.

 

They need to go 7-4 to make up for this homestand, period.

 

No, really, they don't. It's early days still.

 

At the very minimum, they need to stay within 2-3-4 games of .500 for the next few weeks and hope KC and Detroit come back to earth a bit. At 70 games if they are 34-36, would you still rule them out? My answer would be "it depends on what record KC and Detroit have at that time." If either of those teams runs away and hides with this thing, it doesn't matter if the white sox win 77 or 93 games. We aren't seeing postseason play.

 

I think there's very good starting pitching talent and enough hitting to make a run. Defense is still my main concern.

[flavum]

No, really, they don't. It's early days still.

 

At the very minimum, they need to stay within 2-3-4 games of .500 for the next few weeks and hope KC and Detroit come back to earth a bit. At 70 games if they are 34-36, would you still rule them out? My answer would be "it depends on what record KC and Detroit have at that time." If either of those teams runs away and hides with this thing, it doesn't matter if the white sox win 77 or 93 games. We aren't seeing postseason play.

 

I think there's very good starting pitching talent and enough hitting to make a run. Defense is still my main concern.

 

I get your point, but when the Sox were 18-17, I said it wasn't much to ask them to be 26-26 when they got home from the long trip. In my opinion, that still stands. Go 7-4 to make up for what you just did.

 

As far as a big picture record, if they're 23-31 after 54, they're done.

 

And on the Tigers and Royals, I hope they beat teams in the AL that are going for the second wildcard. We're not in the AL Central anymore. That's not happening.

Edited May 24, 2015 by flavum

[pettie4sox]

FIRE RV

[daggins]

GH, I admire your optimism. Really I do.

 

Pretty worried about the Sox getting trapped in this in-between position all season.

 

Not trading Shark or Alexei wouldn't be the worst thing ever, given the '16 option and compensation pick. But returning most of the same personnel next season is a terrifying prospect.

[Dick Allen]

BTW at the Chicago Sports Depot at the park, they had those The straw that stirs the drink t shirts. They weren't the flourecent green the players have, they are yellow, and a bit pricey at $30.

[caulfield12]

Well, obviously they're stuck with Ramirez until he heats up, and there's nobody ready to play SS in the system until 2017 anyway...and that's a HUGE if in Tim Anderson, who's still more likely to end up at 2B or LF from quite a few reports.

 

(If we are out of it at some point, it would be nice to see what Saladino could do...well, just because he seems to be a good kid and has overcome a lot).

 

Of course, Melky Cabrera will probably be blocking the playing time of youngsters like Anderson and Hawkins by that point. (Then again, we should probably expect the worst since the whole "we haven't produced a position player since Rowand/Crede/Ordonez/Lee thing" unless you count Marcus Semien).

Edited May 24, 2015 by caulfield12

[SCCWS]

quote name='Greg Hibbard' date='May 24, 2015 -> 06:06 PM' post='3167764']

No, really, they don't. It's early days still.

 

At the very minimum, they need to stay within 2-3-4 games of .500 for the next few weeks and hope KC and Detroit come back to earth a bit. At 70 games if they are 34-36, would you still rule them out? My answer would be "it depends on what record KC and Detroit have at that time." If either of those teams runs away and hides with this thing, it doesn't matter if the white sox win 77 or 93 games. We aren't seeing postseason play.

 

I think there's very good starting pitching talent and enough hitting to make a run. Defense is still my main concern.

 

I also think there is enough hitting to make a run. There was today. But they need probably 4-5 runs each game to win.............................

 

[SCCWS]

Well, obviously they're stuck with Ramirez until he heats up, and there's nobody ready to play SS in the system until 2017 anyway...and that's a HUGE if in Tim Anderson, who's still more likely to end up at 2B or LF from quite a few reports.

 

(If we are out of it at some point, it would be nice to see what Saladino could do...well, just because he seems to be a good kid and has overcome a lot).

 

Of course, Melky Cabrera will probably be blocking the playing time of youngsters like Anderson and Hawkins by that point. (Then again, we should probably expect the worst since the whole "we haven't produced a position player since Rowand/Crede/Ordonez/Lee thing" unless you count Marcus Semien).

 

Semien may be worse defensively at SS than Johnson was at 2B

 

[caulfield12]

Semien may be worse defensively at SS than Johnson was at 2B

 

No.

 

http://espn.go.com/mlb/stats/fielding/_/po...nt/6/order/true

Aybar, Jose Ramirez, Danny Santana and Andrus are all worse.

 

 

As far as Micah Johnson goes, nobody's remotely close to his -0.8. Giovatella and Odor are negative, but still -1/2 point better.

Edited May 25, 2015 by caulfield12

[Balta1701]

Semien may be worse defensively at SS than Johnson was at 2B

The good news? If you're 5 games below .500, at least you're paying them a minimal amount to learn the game

[greg775]

I'm still not giving up yet. I would feel much much worse if we had put together great stats and had a 19-22 record to show for it because we kept losing 6 games by one run to win the 7th by 14.

 

What's not sustainable are the stats our players are putting up. This team has already shown the ability to put one winning streak together, and another 8-9-10 game stretch of really good baseball isn't just possible, it's an eventuality.

 

We have no hope of the division if KC stays this hot but I refuse to believe this particular group of players doesn't have an 85-90 win season in them.

You are a better fan than I.

I know it's not over yet, but this year I refuse to get sucked into the "stages of the season" crap. The "it's still early" nonsense. My eyes tell me this team blows. We shall see if they prove me wrong.