Monday, October 03, 2005
An unbiased view of the Sox-Sox matchup
Stuart makes some good points below (## 7, 9, and particularly 6), but I think he is a little bit overly confident in his southsiders. They do have good pitching and great defense, but their offense is not enough to carry them through the playoffs. And the pitching isn't that good.
The White Sox need their pitching to hold up against a scary lineup, and the offense to scratch out enough runs. The runs are not going to come. With a team that hits at little as the White Sox, they need a key home run or two each game to get their runs, or Scott Podsednik to steal a few bases so it only takes a single to knock him in. Konerko and Dye are legitimate longball threats, but that's just not going to be enough to get through the playoffs. Counting on two guys to hit home runs every game is not going to work. Supplementing that with Podsednik getting himself into scoring position often enough for Iguchi to single him home does not make up enough ground to carry the team. There is a chance (a small one) that the Whites get past the Reds, that everything comes together for them - a few well pitched games, a few home runs, a few stolen bases followed by singles. But that will be extremely difficult to maintain to get through two or three series.
Enjoy what they give you Stu - it is all a miracle.
The White Sox need their pitching to hold up against a scary lineup, and the offense to scratch out enough runs. The runs are not going to come. With a team that hits at little as the White Sox, they need a key home run or two each game to get their runs, or Scott Podsednik to steal a few bases so it only takes a single to knock him in. Konerko and Dye are legitimate longball threats, but that's just not going to be enough to get through the playoffs. Counting on two guys to hit home runs every game is not going to work. Supplementing that with Podsednik getting himself into scoring position often enough for Iguchi to single him home does not make up enough ground to carry the team. There is a chance (a small one) that the Whites get past the Reds, that everything comes together for them - a few well pitched games, a few home runs, a few stolen bases followed by singles. But that will be extremely difficult to maintain to get through two or three series.
Enjoy what they give you Stu - it is all a miracle.
# posted by Anonymous @ 4:54 PM 
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yeah but this is coming from someone who said the white sox were going to be absolutely terrible. i think you are just hoping that they won't show you up.
# posted by 
: 6:28 PM
: 6:28 PM
Being from Indiana and having no team of our own; I grew up on the NL central. Going to Reds games, watching the Cubs on WGN, and eventually making stl my home for five years... I spent this last season watching or listening to nearly every Cubs game. (working the early shift has its benefits) They really are lovable losers. Fielding a strong team, suffering inopportune injuries, and radio annoucers with enough personality to fill the friendly confines to the brim create a great atmosphere. With that, I'll be rooting for the White Sox. I don't want to see the cards or the astros get any of the glory. Maybe I am a johnny-come-lately yuppie who just want to get drunk and watch the hometown team win. All I know is that in the absence of true leadership, people look for hereos. In this day and age sport stars are our shinning hope. I want to live in a city with a winning team. It makes for better neighbors. The only exception comes from fans who feel that their team is entitled to win. Then you just get a bunch of assholes who won't shut the fuck up.
Broyles
Broyles
# posted by : 10:29 PM
: 10:29 PM
Rick Berman just describe Mattt Clement as having "intestinal fortitude" for his recovery from his beaning last year. As much as I bitch about sportscasters, I applaude this feat of linguistic gymnastics.
In the time it took me to write this, Clement got hit again. It's only a fleshwound this time.
Broyles
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In the time it took me to write this, Clement got hit again. It's only a fleshwound this time.
Broyles
# posted by : 4:18 PM
: 4:18 PM << Home
