* I have two (count ‘em) dental appointments today and the first one is in a few minutes, the next is late this afternoon. How about let’s talk baseball?
Sox not showing quite enough to make me think they are better than Houston, Tampa or New York in American League but back to back playoff appearances is step in right direction
I would not have believed it but Tim Anderson is clearly the “straw that stirs the drink” for the White Sox. Since he has been out of the lineup the Sox offense is sputtering.
It appears that without Anderson the Sox lineup resembles the 2016 - 2021 Cubs in that they have a bunch of free swingers/sluggers but no real contact guys other than Anderson. Anderson is to the Sox as Zobrist was to the Cubs, a contact guy who could spark the offense.
You need a balance of both contact/get on base guys and sluggers in lineup. Which is why even with his early injuries I would not have traded Nick Madrigal. Especially in the playoffs you need contact/high
average players to scratch out runs.
But now I am showing my age as the days of manufacturing one run by getting on base, moving runners over, etc. has given way to launch angles and exit velocity. Earl Weaver would love this style of baseball. I do not. Where are the new Tony Gwynns or Rod Carews??
- In_The_Middle - Thursday, Aug 26, 21 @ 12:06 pm:
Yesterday was the first time I watched a double header in many years. I did not know that MLB went to 7 innings each for double headers last year. In the end they played 2 full games anyways.
- GatewayGopher - Thursday, Aug 26, 21 @ 12:07 pm:
Cardinals might claw back to WC spot and do some overtime work in October
- lake county democrat - Thursday, Aug 26, 21 @ 12:08 pm:
I wasn’t that upset by yesterday’s Sox loss - Lucas looks back on track (Tony shouldn’t have let him throw so many pitches though), hitting still coming along as Eloy and Luis go through “spring training”, Grandal coming back - they’ll be fine.
My Mets have been wretched the past month and it sort of coincides with the Bums acquiring Javy Baez. Thanks, Cubbies. This was payback for the 2015 NLCS, wasn’t it?
the worst days of the year are whenever the Sox play the Cubs. here comes that. the propensity to leave ducks on the pond is very worrying for the Sox, never mind the bullpen. any win by the Cubs is all they have and all we will hear about. we cling to a large lead in the division but who knows. then again, it could be just like 2005.
- NonAFSCMEStateEmployeeFromChatham - Thursday, Aug 26, 21 @ 12:59 pm:
===I was born in 1982; is this the worst Cubs team since that date?===
There’s the ‘81 Cubs, the year before you were born. Didn’t they start 1-13 or something?
Also in Harry Caray’s last year the Cubs started 0-14 before getting their first win (1997).
===Sox are playing teams that absolutely have to compete all the way in every game. We don’t.===
Exactly! Everybody is SO worried about not beating “Good Teams” when the truth is that the Sox have shown an ability to beat good teams (mostly at home), and are so far ahead, that they really aren’t playing for anything right now. Not to the extent of a lot of other teams anyway. Its to the point where, for example, they beat TB fairly cleanly to open the previous series, and then they didn’t start their best lineup for the rest of the series. Now, I take issue with pretty much giving away wins, but I’d also rather have my best players rested and ready to go for the playoffs. And honestly, a game or series in late August has zero relation to a game or series that will be played in October. That doesn’t mean they’ll win in October, but it certainly doesn’t mean they’ll lose either. Let’s just try to enjoy the rollercoaster.
Sox not playing well at this point of the season has some precedent. The almost spit the bit back in 2005 before coming alive in the playoffs and WS. I’d rather sacrifice a few games now and have my team healthy going into the playoffs.
Sorry, Cardinals fans, but I loved how my Buccos scored 8 runs in the 7th before even one out was recorded. Yeah, we Bucco fans have to take joy when we can get it.
- Ron Burgundy - Thursday, Aug 26, 21 @ 11:38 am:
Molina farewell tour next year. Big question is will it be his 2nd or 3rd heir apparent who eventually replaces him?
- Jo Jo Monkeyboy - Thursday, Aug 26, 21 @ 11:38 am:
As a Cub fan I’ll take a hard pass on that.
- 47th Ward - Thursday, Aug 26, 21 @ 11:42 am:
I’m hoping Jed Hoyer drafts Gavin Weir in the first round.
This kid is dominating Williamsport. He’s be an instant upgrade for the Cubs.
- Chicago Blue - Thursday, Aug 26, 21 @ 11:46 am:
I was born in 1982; is this the worst Cubs team since that date?
- Bruce( no not him) - Thursday, Aug 26, 21 @ 11:49 am:
===I was born in 1982; is this the worst Cubs team since that date?===
Not even close. Check out 2011 thru 2014
- Etown - Thursday, Aug 26, 21 @ 11:50 am:
Sox not showing quite enough to make me think they are better than Houston, Tampa or New York in American League but back to back playoff appearances is step in right direction
- Pundent - Thursday, Aug 26, 21 @ 11:50 am:
Since leaving the Cubs Baez is hitting .196 and Rizzo .200. Bryant is producing slightly better numbers than he did for the Cubs at .273.
Something to keep in mind as we lament breaking up the World Series roster.
- w - Thursday, Aug 26, 21 @ 11:52 am:
I fear the White Sox won’t get past the first round in the playoffs. They need to consistently beat the good teams.
- Not a Superstar - Thursday, Aug 26, 21 @ 12:02 pm:
As a Cubs fan, I’d rather talk about dentistry.
- Big Jer - Thursday, Aug 26, 21 @ 12:05 pm:
I would not have believed it but Tim Anderson is clearly the “straw that stirs the drink” for the White Sox. Since he has been out of the lineup the Sox offense is sputtering.
It appears that without Anderson the Sox lineup resembles the 2016 - 2021 Cubs in that they have a bunch of free swingers/sluggers but no real contact guys other than Anderson. Anderson is to the Sox as Zobrist was to the Cubs, a contact guy who could spark the offense.
You need a balance of both contact/get on base guys and sluggers in lineup. Which is why even with his early injuries I would not have traded Nick Madrigal. Especially in the playoffs you need contact/high
average players to scratch out runs.
But now I am showing my age as the days of manufacturing one run by getting on base, moving runners over, etc. has given way to launch angles and exit velocity. Earl Weaver would love this style of baseball. I do not. Where are the new Tony Gwynns or Rod Carews??
- In_The_Middle - Thursday, Aug 26, 21 @ 12:06 pm:
Yesterday was the first time I watched a double header in many years. I did not know that MLB went to 7 innings each for double headers last year. In the end they played 2 full games anyways.
- GatewayGopher - Thursday, Aug 26, 21 @ 12:07 pm:
Cardinals might claw back to WC spot and do some overtime work in October
- lake county democrat - Thursday, Aug 26, 21 @ 12:08 pm:
I wasn’t that upset by yesterday’s Sox loss - Lucas looks back on track (Tony shouldn’t have let him throw so many pitches though), hitting still coming along as Eloy and Luis go through “spring training”, Grandal coming back - they’ll be fine.
- Annonin' - Thursday, Aug 26, 21 @ 12:11 pm:
Despite their necesaary role, visits to the denist always sux
- James the Intolerant - Thursday, Aug 26, 21 @ 12:15 pm:
I worry about the Sox, with all their power, inability to score.
- Ink-Stained Wretch - Thursday, Aug 26, 21 @ 12:27 pm:
My Mets have been wretched the past month and it sort of coincides with the Bums acquiring Javy Baez. Thanks, Cubbies. This was payback for the 2015 NLCS, wasn’t it?
- Norseman - Thursday, Aug 26, 21 @ 12:39 pm:
As a Cub fan, I’d rather talk about your dentist appointments.
- Amalia - Thursday, Aug 26, 21 @ 12:47 pm:
the worst days of the year are whenever the Sox play the Cubs. here comes that. the propensity to leave ducks on the pond is very worrying for the Sox, never mind the bullpen. any win by the Cubs is all they have and all we will hear about. we cling to a large lead in the division but who knows. then again, it could be just like 2005.
- NonAFSCMEStateEmployeeFromChatham - Thursday, Aug 26, 21 @ 12:59 pm:
===I was born in 1982; is this the worst Cubs team since that date?===
There’s the ‘81 Cubs, the year before you were born. Didn’t they start 1-13 or something?
Also in Harry Caray’s last year the Cubs started 0-14 before getting their first win (1997).
- Rich Miller - Thursday, Aug 26, 21 @ 1:09 pm:
===Sox not showing quite enough to make me think they are better than Houston, Tampa or New York===
Sox are playing teams that absolutely have to compete all the way in every game. We don’t.
- Lake Effect - Thursday, Aug 26, 21 @ 1:14 pm:
If I organize a Ricketts family protest outside their compound in east Wilmette in late September, anyone on this thread interested in joining?
- Red ghetto in a blue state - Thursday, Aug 26, 21 @ 1:37 pm:
Speaking of ricketts, he seems to have two interests. Of the two, which one has the weaker lineup. The cubs or illinois republicans?
- walker - Thursday, Aug 26, 21 @ 2:01 pm:
Cubs wins are like pulling teeth.
- JoanP - Thursday, Aug 26, 21 @ 2:01 pm:
I know zip about baseball, but, having visited my own dentist on Monday, I sympathize with your plight. Hope all goes well.
- IlliniSpartan - Thursday, Aug 26, 21 @ 2:07 pm:
===Sox are playing teams that absolutely have to compete all the way in every game. We don’t.===
Exactly! Everybody is SO worried about not beating “Good Teams” when the truth is that the Sox have shown an ability to beat good teams (mostly at home), and are so far ahead, that they really aren’t playing for anything right now. Not to the extent of a lot of other teams anyway. Its to the point where, for example, they beat TB fairly cleanly to open the previous series, and then they didn’t start their best lineup for the rest of the series. Now, I take issue with pretty much giving away wins, but I’d also rather have my best players rested and ready to go for the playoffs. And honestly, a game or series in late August has zero relation to a game or series that will be played in October. That doesn’t mean they’ll win in October, but it certainly doesn’t mean they’ll lose either. Let’s just try to enjoy the rollercoaster.
- Stones - Thursday, Aug 26, 21 @ 2:40 pm:
Sox not playing well at this point of the season has some precedent. The almost spit the bit back in 2005 before coming alive in the playoffs and WS. I’d rather sacrifice a few games now and have my team healthy going into the playoffs.
- Groucho - Thursday, Aug 26, 21 @ 3:26 pm:
I’d rather go to the dentist than talk about the Cubs.
- 47th Ward - Thursday, Aug 26, 21 @ 3:58 pm:
Gavin Weir? Anyone? Nobody is watching the Little League WS?
And you call yourselves baseball fans. SMH.
- OldSmoky2 - Thursday, Aug 26, 21 @ 4:09 pm:
Sox lead Tampa Bay 9-2 in the 6th. A win today means they take two out of four from the first place Rays in Tampa.
- G'Kar - Thursday, Aug 26, 21 @ 10:11 pm:
Sorry, Cardinals fans, but I loved how my Buccos scored 8 runs in the 7th before even one out was recorded. Yeah, we Bucco fans have to take joy when we can get it.