4/8 game thread WHITE SOX HOME OPENER vs Cleveland

[Panerista]

1 Jackson CF

2 Abreu 1B

3 Eaton RF

4 Frazier 3B

5 Rollins SS

6 Melky LF

7 Lawrie 2B

8 (pls no Avi)

9 Catcher platoon

 

So you have the Catcher, Garcia, and Jackson setting up Abreu. That doesn't make any sense. Most lineups feature their best power hitter to early in the lineup (like 3rd). If anything, power should fall between 4-6 with on base in 1 and 2. This accomplishes none of that.

[BaconOnAStick]

So you have the Catcher, Garcia, and Jackson setting up Abreu. That doesn't make any sense. Most lineups feature their best power hitter to early in the lineup (like 3rd). If anything, power should fall between 4-6 with on base in 1 and 2. This accomplishes none of that.

The point of it is not to orient the entire offense around 1 player, but to try and create an environment where a few hits can be strung together.

[caulfield12]

That's 5-15 for Danks now against CLE.

 

Tipping pitches? DJ made the comment that at the end of spring training, he was aggressive and going after hitters, busting them in on the hands...after two hits today, he started to get tentative, trying to "trick" them or pitching defensively to avoid contact or perhaps attempting to be too perfect again.

 

First couple of innings, there was the Avila error, Jackson throwing home when he should have gone to third to hold the runner to 2nd (that runner didn't score), Jackson taking a poor route on a ball into the gap (misread the wind, which will take him time to figure out), Avi getting thrown out after reaching via walk in a situation you can never get picked off with a runner ahead of you on 2nd who's absolutely not going anywhere (this after Avi swung at pitches he had no business swinging at with Salazar wild early).

 

On the plus side, we have more team speed and athleticism, definitely more enthusiasm from Lawrie, more professional/veteran hitters....Eaton has looked REALLY good and adjusted quite well to RF more quickly than most thought possible.

 

That said, this division is going to be tough with DET looking to have one of the best offenses in the AL (at least early), Miggy has his legs back and Victor Martinez looks like he did 2-3 years ago and Zimmerman can be a monster, etc.

 

You have a feeling that health, the bullpen before Robertson, the missing bat at DH and the back end of the rotation are still going to be the biggest issues with this team. We have a better overall offense, position by position, but something STILL seems to be missing. Granted, Salazar has very good stuff, the weather was miserable and they were out of the game after the first couple of innings and probably just wanted to get it over with.

 

The most important thing here is we can't get into one of those "the Indians/Royals/Twins/Tigers just have our number" modes where we go 5-14 or 6-13 against one particular team and scuffle to get close to .500 in the division with the rest of the teams in the ALCD.

 

Just an unfortunate situation with the terrible weather and terribly disappointing level of play after looking improved after the first four games. Hard to say which is the real team...probably the .500ish version that's not as good as against OAK and not as bad as they played today. But the Indians have a formidable team and it's likely to get even better when Brantley subs in for Jose Ramirez.

Edited April 9, 2016 by caulfield12

[Panerista]

The point of it is not to orient the entire offense around 1 player, but to try and create an environment where a few hits can be strung together.

Point taken, but that lineup completely focuses on on-base and not power.

[caulfield12]

The point of it is not to orient the entire offense around 1 player, but to try and create an environment where a few hits can be strung together.

 

 

If it was 4-5 years ago, Rollins could absolutely be a 5-6 hitter or a leadoff guy. Just can't imagine the wear and tear of playing 120-125 games will allow his bat to hold up all season at that spot.

[caulfield12]

The point of it is not to orient the entire offense around 1 player, but to try and create an environment where a few hits can be strung together.

 

 

If it was 4-5 years ago, Rollins could absolutely be a 5-6 hitter or a leadoff guy. Just can't imagine the wear and tear of playing 120-125 games will allow his bat to hold up all season at that spot.

[caulfield12]

Maybe we can trade for Bauer?

 

 

Bauer could go a lot of places, but to another ALCD opponent isn't the most likely.

 

Besides the fact there's nobody compelling we can trade in our farm system they would actually want after Anderson and Fulmer. They don't even really need either one of those two guys.

 

If we had a legit outfielder or 3B to deal, but they signed Uribe and will get back Brantley this month. They're not going to trade Bauer for Avi Garcia/Shuck/Sands (he played for them last year or the year prior) and a spare part like Putnam/Petricka/Jennings in the bullpen.

[Lip Man 1]

That's 5-15 for Danks now against CLE.

 

Tipping pitches? DJ made the comment that at the end of spring training, he was aggressive and going after hitters, busting them in on the hands...after two hits today, he started to get tentative, trying to "trick" them or pitching defensively to avoid contact or perhaps attempting to be too perfect again.

 

First couple of innings, there was the Avila error, Jackson throwing home when he should have gone to third to hold the runner to 2nd (that runner didn't score), Jackson taking a poor route on a ball into the gap (misread the wind, which will take him time to figure out), Avi getting thrown out after reaching via walk in a situation you can never get picked off with a runner ahead of you on 2nd who's absolutely not going anywhere (this after Avi swung at pitches he had no business swinging at with Salazar wild early).

 

On the plus side, we have more team speed and athleticism, definitely more enthusiasm from Lawrie, more professional/veteran hitters....Eaton has looked REALLY good and adjusted quite well to RF more quickly than most thought possible.

 

That said, this division is going to be tough with DET looking to have one of the best offenses in the AL (at least early), Miggy has his legs back and Victor Martinez looks like he did 2-3 years ago and Zimmerman can be a monster, etc.

 

You have a feeling that health, the bullpen before Robertson, the missing bat at DH and the back end of the rotation are still going to be the biggest issues with this team. We have a better overall offense, position by position, but something STILL seems to be missing. Granted, Salazar has very good stuff, the weather was miserable and they were out of the game after the first couple of innings and probably just wanted to get it over with.

 

The most important thing here is we can't get into one of those "the Indians/Royals/Twins/Tigers just have our number" modes where we go 5-14 or 6-13 against one particular team and scuffle to get close to .500 in the division with the rest of the teams in the ALCD.

 

Just an unfortunate situation with the terrible weather and terribly disappointing level of play after looking improved after the first four games. Hard to say which is the real team...probably the .500ish version that's not as good as against OAK and not as bad as they played today. But the Indians have a formidable team and it's likely to get even better when Brantley subs in for Jose Ramirez.

 

To expect to go anyplace in the division possibly leading to a post season spot you have to actually beat the teams in the division. The Sox record against the division the last three years in particular has been brutal.

 

Mark

 

[SCCWS]

That's 5-15 for Danks now against CLE.

 

Tipping pitches? DJ made the comment that at the end of spring training, he was aggressive and going after hitters, busting them in on the hands...after two hits today, he started to get tentative, trying to "trick" them or pitching defensively to avoid contact or perhaps attempting to be too perfect again.

 

First couple of innings, there was the Avila error, Jackson throwing home when he should have gone to third to hold the runner to 2nd (that runner didn't score), Jackson taking a poor route on a ball into the gap (misread the wind, which will take him time to figure out), Avi getting thrown out after reaching via walk in a situation you can never get picked off with a runner ahead of you on 2nd who's absolutely not going anywhere (this after Avi swung at pitches he had no business swinging at with Salazar wild early).

 

On the plus side, we have more team speed and athleticism, definitely more enthusiasm from Lawrie, more professional/veteran hitters....Eaton has looked REALLY good and adjusted quite well to RF more quickly than most thought possible.

 

That said, this division is going to be tough with DET looking to have one of the best offenses in the AL (at least early), Miggy has his legs back and Victor Martinez looks like he did 2-3 years ago and Zimmerman can be a monster, etc.

 

You have a feeling that health, the bullpen before Robertson, the missing bat at DH and the back end of the rotation are still going to be the biggest issues with this team. We have a better overall offense, position by position, but something STILL seems to be missing. Granted, Salazar has very good stuff, the weather was miserable and they were out of the game after the first couple of innings and probably just wanted to get it over with.

 

The most important thing here is we can't get into one of those "the Indians/Royals/Twins/Tigers just have our number" modes where we go 5-14 or 6-13 against one particular team and scuffle to get close to .500 in the division with the rest of the teams in the ALCD.

 

Just an unfortunate situation with the terrible weather and terribly disappointing level of play after looking improved after the first four games. Hard to say which is the real team...probably the .500ish version that's not as good as against OAK and not as bad as they played today. But the Indians have a formidable team and it's likely to get even better when Brantley subs in for Jose Ramirez.

 

We can also say that we are 3-2. We are on pace to win 97 games and probably the division as well.

 

[Dunt]

Holy cow, just watched Avi getting picked off by Gomes. What the f*** was he doing that far off the bag??? Bench that f***ing clown.

[greg775]

If we want to look at trends all the new guys haven't broken YET ...

Remember last year most all our wins were close games and yet we lost a TON of blowouts, many at home? Well this year we are 3-2. Our 3 wins were all close games (we scored in the ninth to bust the last one open) and oops, 1 of our 2 losses are blowout losses. Hope we have our share of blowout wins this year. Those close games can really wear on a team.

Horrible loss today to a Central Div. team. If Sale gets lit up and loses tomorrow I'm officially concerned.

[Dick Allen]

Everyone is so upset with Danks. The Sox scored 1 run, that means to win he would have had to give up 1 run or less which Sale, Quintana, and Rodon also failed to do.

 

Teams lose baseball games. Even great ones lose more than 60.

[greg775]

Last year our lineup was Eaton, Abreu and a bunch of crap.

This year its Eaton, Abreu, Frazier and a bunch of crap.

Thats progress I guess.

Some good posts so far this season. This is one of them.

 

Can't wait to start the John Danks is out of the Southside countdown timer, the Adam Dunn one worked well.

Awesome post. If the Sox have to pay, he will pitch.

 

Rollins LH swing looks so bad

He can't bat second any longer. He is what he is. A .220 to .200 hitter who is a good baseball player but his best days are long behind him. I'd play Saladino three of every five games and Rollins the other two.

 

How is it possible that we never cease to have a collection of some of the dumbest players in baseball? The mental mistakes our teams make year in and year out are unbelievable. I can handle players lacking skill. I can't handle players being stupid and unaware.

Excellent post.

 

Besides the 9th inning yesterday and Adam Eaton this offense has been pretty bad

Offense again has many black holes.

 

6 guys batting under .200 is not gonna get the job done. Pretty pathetic offensive effort so far this season.

No, as much as some of you like our catchers, I'd say Avila/Navarro is below average hitting wise; Rollins below average; Lawrie blow average; Meily below average and Avi below average, Jackson average at best.

 

I don't know why anyone would think this team would just wake up and hit. The lineup just isn't very good.

The last four hitters tend to suck.

 

Probably worst game I've ever attended

Wow and that says a lot after last year's home disasters.

[Panerista]

Everyone is so upset with Danks. The Sox scored 1 run, that means to win he would have had to give up 1 run or less which Sale, Quintana, and Rodon also failed to do.

 

Teams lose baseball games. Even great ones lose more than 60.

I find myself agreeing with this. Obviously, Danks wasn't good today, but Rodon got hammered and only gave up 2. It's baseball, weird things happen.

[GGajewski18]

Just got back from the game. Avi should never see the field again, so done with him.

 

Danks was pretty bad.

[caulfield12]

We can also say that we are 3-2. We are on pace to win 97 games and probably the division as well.

 

 

Well, one thing is for sure. Anything is an improvement on the first week of 2015.

 

But if we struggle with Cleveland and Minnesota, hard to feel encouraged or like we've truly turned a corner. Have the feeling Minnesota is going to be a desperate team by the time we face them. They could be ready for the early knockout or fight back like a cornered bear.

[BaconOnAStick]

Everyone is so upset with Danks. The Sox scored 1 run, that means to win he would have had to give up 1 run or less which Sale, Quintana, and Rodon also failed to do.

 

Teams lose baseball games. Even great ones lose more than 60.

Part of the reason the Sox only scored one run is because the spent the entire game trying to score 5. This mindset of "score all the runs now now now" when its only the bottom of the 2nd has been a consistent problem for the Sox in the Ventura era. It's part of the reason early deficits like the one Danks created today are so crippling.

[Real]

so far we lost two games

 

one was against one of the best pitchers in baseball

one was with our worst pitcher (and one of the worst pitchers in baseball) on the mound

 

dont freak out!

[elrockinMT]

Everyone is so upset with Danks. The Sox scored 1 run, that means to win he would have had to give up 1 run or less which Sale, Quintana, and Rodon also failed to do.

 

Teams lose baseball games. Even great ones lose more than 60.

 

you can't talk sense to people who can't think sensibly. Amazing how many seem tovluve and die off one play or one game

[reiks12]

If we are going to lose its with danks on the mound. Get them tomorrow with Sale

[Rowand44]

Everyone is so upset with Danks. The Sox scored 1 run, that means to win he would have had to give up 1 run or less which Sale, Quintana, and Rodon also failed to do.

 

Teams lose baseball games. Even great ones lose more than 60.

To be fair, it's pretty deflating when you get down big that early, especially on opening day when it just sucks kills the crowd.

 

But it's one game, who gives a f***. Like you said, teams are going to have s***ty games so just chalk it up to that and move on to tomorrow.

[greg775]

Part of the reason the Sox only scored one run is because the spent the entire game trying to score 5. This mindset of "score all the runs now now now" when its only the bottom of the 2nd has been a consistent problem for the Sox in the Ventura era. It's part of the reason early deficits like the one Danks created today are so crippling.

 

I agree with this premise. When we fall behind ... heaven help us. Even with all these new players. At least our new 3Bman put a little dent in the 5-0 deficit. But overall ... our offense has been abysmal and has a bad approach for a long time.

[SoxSteve]

I agree with this premise. When we fall behind ... heaven help us. Even with all these new players. At least our new 3Bman put a little dent in the 5-0 deficit. But overall ... our offense has been abysmal and has a bad approach for a long time.

Exactly. That is he main reason that i was begging for Fowler or Markaikas. We badly need someone in that 2 whole that can get on base at 360 clip like they can. Austin's Jackson is not the answer.

[GreenSox]

Not upset with Danks. Danks has been this way for several years. He's not leaving himself in the rotation year after year. He's not leaving himself in games through 5, pitching the Sox out of the game while the dugout watches and plays mime.

And yes when you're down 7-1, the mindset of the hitters changes.

[Dick Allen]

Not upset with Danks. Danks has been this way for several years. He's not leaving himself in the rotation year after year. He's not leaving himself in games through 5, pitching the Sox out of the game while the dugout watches and plays mime.

And yes when you're down 7-1, the mindset of the hitters changes.

They had 3 hits. It would have taken a gem to win.