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OT: NL will use DH for EVER :(

Kimbrel was a closer his entire career. Making him a set-up man might be the main reason he has a 5+ era during his time with the White Sox.

He probably is a head case now because of that switch.
 
Kimbrel was a closer his entire career. Making him a set-up man might be the main reason he has a 5+ era during his time with the White Sox.

He probably is a head case now because of that switch.
If he's a headcase because of the switch then he was bound to suck anyways. Throw the ****ing ball over the plate. He took about 3 hours to throw 15 pitches yesterday
 
You American League fans are so cute. Does anyone think anybody can beat the winner of the Giants/Dodgers? Maybe the Brewers because of their phenomenal pitching, but this seems like an NL year.
 
What about your boy Darvish? Didn’t you call him a top 10 pitcher? Cubs must have a great pitching coach, cuz once they leave they stink. Have a business outing at 1060 Addison tonight. Hope the food is good.

I did and I think what the Cubs pitching infrastructure did with him to turn him around from the mess he was mechanically and mentally when he first came to the Cubs was remarkable. I also felt given how fragile he is, his age and his contract that it was a good idea to trade him especially since the Cubs were going nowhere. Not sure if you have figured it out yet but I am a huge fan/believer in what Assistant GM pitching guru Craig Breslow has done with the Cubs organizational pitching infrastructure.
 
I did and I think what the Cubs pitching infrastructure did with him to turn him around from the mess he was mechanically and mentally when he first came to the Cubs was remarkable. I also felt given how fragile he is, his age and his contract that it was a good idea to trade him especially since the Cubs were going nowhere. Not sure if you have figured it out yet but I am a huge fan/believer in what Assistant GM pitching guru Craig Breslow has done with the Cubs organizational pitching infrastructure.
This isn't a Cubs vs. White Sox thing, as plenty of sox pitchers were using it, but Darvish was one of the obvious spider tack "offenders" and that has a lot to do with why he's been so bad. Look at his numbers pre/post crackdown

And just because a pitcher is traded doesn't mean they just completely lose their mechanics and feel for pitching. That, and no MLB players just completely abandon what "works" for them after going to a new organization. The padres traded for the 2019-20 version of Darvish. I doubt SD tried to "fix" him because there wasn't much to fix, if anything. They gave him the ball and said "go do what you're doing" and that obviously stopped working.
 
This isn't a Cubs vs. White Sox thing, as plenty of sox pitchers were using it, but Darvish was one of the obvious spider tack "offenders" and that has a lot to do with why he's been so bad. Look at his numbers pre/post crackdown

And just because a pitcher is traded doesn't mean they just completely lose their mechanics and feel for pitching. That, and no MLB players just completely abandon what "works" for them after going to a new organization. The padres traded for the 2019-20 version of Darvish. I doubt SD tried to "fix" him because there wasn't much to fix, if anything. They gave him the ball and said "go do what you're doing" and that obviously stopped working.

obvious the Padres didn’t fix him but the point I was trying to make is that other teams are unlikely to be reinforcing all the mechanical, biometric and mental habits/tweaks the Cubs made to these pitchers that made them so successful while they were part of the Cubs.
 
The Sox are about to clinch today! Second year of playoffs in a row. The window is officially open and they are looking pretty set for a good run. Anybody see willy lately? Wondering how his Flubs and Bryant and Baez and all that is working out for him. At least they will have a top five pick, right? :D
 
Don't care. They won the division months ago. Ride that wave from today into the playoffs. That's a good pitcher they pissed on
 
Sox knocked Cincy out of contention last night. LuBob had two dingers - damn he looks good. The rookie sheets has 35 mlb hits, 10 HRs - I think he will be that big LH bat the Sox need. We just need to add some pitching next year, maybe a quality 2B too. Plenty of salary room to make some more splash.

Meanwhile, the Sox are such the hot cold team. Could be out in three, could go all the way. I’m going to Houston - time to see another stadium. Hey @AstroCat , going to any games? I think Thursday for me, maybe both.
 
Sox knocked Cincy out of contention last night. LuBob had two dingers - damn he looks good. The rookie sheets has 35 mlb hits, 10 HRs - I think he will be that big LH bat the Sox need. We just need to add some pitching next year, maybe a quality 2B too. Plenty of salary room to make some more splash.

Meanwhile, the Sox are such the hot cold team. Could be out in three, could go all the way. I’m going to Houston - time to see another stadium. Hey @AstroCat , going to any games? I think Thursday for me, maybe both.
I could be wrong, but I don't think AstroCat lives here or is an Astros fan.

There's still a small chance that the White Sox pass the Astros for the #2 seed, but it's unlikely. The Astros were swept by the A's over the weekend and needed two bases loaded walks in the 9th to beat the Rays last night. They're a hot cold team too..
 
I could be wrong, but I don't think AstroCat lives here or is an Astros fan.

There's still a small chance that the White Sox pass the Astros for the #2 seed, but it's unlikely. The Astros were swept by the A's over the weekend and needed two bases loaded walks in the 9th to beat the Rays last night. They're a hot cold team too..
Astros board name comes from some kind of a cartoon character, he can explain it better. He lives in the area of the University, that’s why he is at all the home games for years now
 
I could be wrong, but I don't think AstroCat lives here or is an Astros fan.

There's still a small chance that the White Sox pass the Astros for the #2 seed, but it's unlikely. The Astros were swept by the A's over the weekend and needed two bases loaded walks in the 9th to beat the Rays last night. They're a hot cold team too..

Are you planning to go to any playoff games? I’m expecting them to be the 2 seed - meaning in Houston for Thursday and Friday.
 
Are you planning to go to any playoff games? I’m expecting them to be the 2 seed - meaning in Houston for Thursday and Friday.
I’ve been to about 10 games at Minute Maid of whatever they call it. Good sight lines, climate controlled, but feels like more like a mall than a ball park. Stayed right across the street, so convenient. A few decent bars nearby. They will draw the shades and keep it open late for you if you are spending enough cash. It’s Texas.
 
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Sox knocked Cincy out of contention last night. LuBob had two dingers - damn he looks good. The rookie sheets has 35 mlb hits, 10 HRs - I think he will be that big LH bat the Sox need. We just need to add some pitching next year, maybe a quality 2B too. Plenty of salary room to make some more splash.

Meanwhile, the Sox are such the hot cold team. Could be out in three, could go all the way. I’m going to Houston - time to see another stadium. Hey @AstroCat , going to any games? I think Thursday for me, maybe both.
I know this sounds ridiculous, Sheets approach at the plate reminds me of a poor man’s Freddie Freeman. Cat24 slap me around please for this hyperbole. I play Sheets versus RHP and Vaughn versus LHP.
 
I know this sounds ridiculous, Sheets approach at the plate reminds me of a poor man’s Freddie Freeman. Cat24 slap me around please for this hyperbole. I play Sheets versus RHP and Vaughn versus LHP.

I agree. I hope chicagocatfan is right that Vaughan is gonna take eventually. But til then, that’s exactly what I do.

I think Lopez has earned a postseason roster spot. Sadly, I don’t think Dallas has. Wright needs to be gone too.
 
Sheets has been an amazing surprise. Never in my life did I think Sheets would be playing a role in a post season for the Sox and I HATED the pick as he was an over slot 1B/DH that didn't have too high a ceiling. Never thought he'd be much more than a September call up for the Sox and would most likely be a 2nd or 3rd piece in a trade. I was way wrong. He looks fantastic.

Yes, I think they platoon Vaughn/Sheets in the OF for the post season. Goodwin is the odd man out which is unfortunate because he did great as a scrap heap pickup. That said, Sheets provides more boom and as they say, "ball go far, team go far"

Sheets is hitting .263/.344/.571 with a .916OPS and 146 wRC+ against RHP
Vaughn is hitting .274/.388/.564 with a .953OPS and 160 wRC+ against LHP

Vaughn is also only 22 years old and never played a game above HiA prior to this year. Sheets on the other hand took a typical path to the majors, is already 25, and will be 26 by the time the 2023 season starts. I expect Vaughn to be going to all star games by the time he's 26. I think Sheets is who he is now; a really nice platoon player that can bang a little bit against RHP

Vaughn's going to rake. He was on FIRE until he hit a rookie wall this year in mid/late August. May, June and July he looked like the White Sox best hitter. I have no doubt he's an eventual all star and I'm on record as saying his approach reminds me of Freeman, which is pretty high praise obviously. I'm friends with ASU's (former) head coach Tracy Smith and he told me Vaughn is the best hitter he's ever seen at the college level other than Kris Bryant.

Right now though? You can't worry about development. Gotta platoon Sheets and Vaughn and worry about Vaughn against RHP next year. They mirror each other perfectly right now so it'll hopefully pay dividends.

Also - Lopez is a lock for the post season roster I would imagine. Dallas not sure. I hope not and don't think he will. I think he'll enter camp as a 5th starter for 2023 and if he's not average, they cut bait with him and eat his $$$. The last thing they want is Keuchel's 2024 option kicking in and that automatically vests at 160IP
 
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Are you planning to go to any playoff games? I’m expecting them to be the 2 seed - meaning in Houston for Thursday and Friday.
I doubt I'm going. How about you? Don't buy your plane ticket just yet. If the Astros lose tonight, they'll be only one game up on the WS with three games remaining. The Astros have the tie-breaker, but the way they're playing, I wouldn't be surprised if they lost a couple of games this weekend. They've lost five of six prior to tonight's game, and the offense has gone missing.
 
I doubt I'm going. How about you? Don't buy your plane ticket just yet. If the Astros lose tonight, they'll be only one game up on the WS with three games remaining. The Astros have the tie-breaker, but the way they're playing, I wouldn't be surprised if they lost a couple of games this weekend. They've lost five of six prior to tonight's game, and the offense has gone missing.

They clinched it all tonight. I will fly in Thursday for that game and if they pay during the day Friday, go twice. I have to be home for a Saturday event. I have oodles of Tix for the playoffs here.
 
They clinched it all tonight. I will fly in Thursday for that game and if they pay during the day Friday, go twice. I have to be home for a Saturday event. I have oodles of Tix for the playoffs here.
Technically, it's not completely set yet. If the Astros get swept by the A's this weekend (which happened last weekend) and the WS sweep their series, then the WS have home field. Highly unlikely, though.

If the Yankees or Red Sox are in the other series, then they'll have the prime time games next week and Astros-WS will be day games. That's how it works with the networks. I guess if Mariners vs. Rays is the series, then maybe we get the night games.

I'd enjoy getting together and watching a game with you, but I won't be able to do it. In this environment, I'm still a bit nervous about spending four hours with 40k screaming people in an indoor stadium.
 
Technically, it's not completely set yet. If the Astros get swept by the A's this weekend (which happened last weekend) and the WS sweep their series, then the WS have home field. Highly unlikely, though.

If the Yankees or Red Sox are in the other series, then they'll have the prime time games next week and Astros-WS will be day games. That's how it works with the networks. I guess if Mariners vs. Rays is the series, then maybe we get the night games.

I'd enjoy getting together and watching a game with you, but I won't be able to do it. In this environment, I'm still a bit nervous about spending four hours with 40k screaming people in an indoor stadium.

Well, I'm taking my mom to these games - so if you want to grab a drink at the JW during the time period, maybe a lunch or dinner or something, let me know - I'm game. We are both vax and I have had COVID.
 
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Well, I'm taking my mom to these games - so if you want to grab a drink at the JW during the time period, maybe a lunch or dinner or something, let me know - I'm game. We are both vax and I have had COVID.
Astros lost (again) last night, and WS won. One game back now. I hope your plane ticket is refundable....but in reality, the Astros should win one of their remaining two games (or the WS should lose a game), which would clinch it.

I'll see about schedule for the upcoming week. I live and work in the suburbs, so probably won't be downtown. I'm vaccinated but have young kids who aren't, which is why I'm hesitant to be in packed indoor stadiums.
 
Astros lost (again) last night, and WS won. One game back now. I hope your plane ticket is refundable....but in reality, the Astros should win one of their remaining two games (or the WS should lose a game), which would clinch it.

I'll see about schedule for the upcoming week. I live and work in the suburbs, so probably won't be downtown. I'm vaccinated but have young kids who aren't, which is why I'm hesitant to be in packed indoor stadiums.

I cancelled my ticket this morning. Easy to rebook. Weather is pretty crappy here and no better tomorrow. If Houston loses two, wonder what happens if Sox rained out twice.
 
I cancelled my ticket this morning. Easy to rebook. Weather is pretty crappy here and no better tomorrow. If Houston loses two, wonder what happens if Sox rained out twice.
Well, the good news (at least for me) is that in this night of misery, at least the Astros won. So now confirmed that games 1 and 2 will be played here next week. You can rebook your ticket.
 
Well, the good news (at least for me) is that in this night of misery, at least the Astros won. So now confirmed that games 1 and 2 will be played here next week. You can rebook your ticket.

Already done. Actually coming in Wednesday night now. Two games and out at dawn on Saturday as I have obligations back home.

More good news, I predict the cats won’t lose next week.

Btw, my guys pulled victory from defeat tonight and Dallas probably pitched his last chance for the postseason into the garbage. These guys are clicking at the perfect time. Bring on the post season.
 
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@chicagocatfan24 the curious case of rodon has me wondering whether the Sox invest a QO? Boras is the agent and reinsdorf despises him. When on rodon produced cy young pitching. But he has been broken so much. He claims the big jump in workload to be the issue. But w injury history, I question whether any team would roll the dice w a big long term contract. I also think he would rather take another one year prove it contract elsewhere. What have you heard?
 
@chicagocatfan24 the curious case of rodon has me wondering whether the Sox invest a QO? Boras is the agent and reinsdorf despises him. When on rodon produced cy young pitching. But he has been broken so much. He claims the big jump in workload to be the issue. But w injury history, I question whether any team would roll the dice w a big long term contract. I also think he would rather take another one year prove it contract elsewhere. What have you heard?
I think a QO makes sense for him. He made $3MM this year and would make around $19MM if he took it, which is obviously enough money to set him up for life. He also could spin the tired on a long term deal again should he prove he can throw 150IP. I wouldn't be surprised if he is looking at a Nathan Eovaldi type deal if he crushes it again next year

And this is all conjecture I don't ask them this kinda stuff because they wouldn't tell me. Nor should they.
 
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