So Chris Sale didn’t have it today. As usual, the offense not around. Mr. Kate Upton was pitching in Minnesota.

It all results in a tragic number of  three. There is still hope, though it grows fainter with each passing game. With the latest loss, all I hear is the following song’s chorus.

Enjoy!

For more on the Rays, visit Cowbell Clankers

continuing domination

The maintained their one-game lead in the AL Central tonight. They actually took care of business with the Twins limiting them to just four hits and no runs. The Sox could have done a ton of damage, but they didn’t after having the bases loaded a couple of times. At least they did score at least one when the bases were loaded. Each time it happened, the team was only able to add just one run to the tally.  » Continue reading “Scoreboard Watching: White Sox 6 Twins 0″

But it could have been worse.

The White Sox looked to keep their distance from the Tigers, but it was not meant to be. The Sox lost 8-6 and now have only a one-game lead on Detroit.

Gavin Floyd returned from the disabled list tonight and started off well. He ran into some trouble in the fifth inning. He gave up a hit and a walk to lead off the inning. He was responsible for all three runs scored in the inning, and that put the Tigers up 3-1. » Continue reading “Well Then…That Sucked”

Well, that was an ugly road trip. Six losses against teams that the Sox could ill afford to lose to. Now, they are tied for first in the AL Central and return home for an 11-day, 10-game excursion. It will start with what very well could be some trap games for the team. Here is what you need to know for the upcoming series with the Twins:

2012 Record: White Sox 72-61, 1st in AL Central. Twins 55-79, 4th in AL Central

2012 Series Record: 9-3

All-Time Series Record: 378-418 (The Sox are 206-193 at home against the Twins)

The following pitchers are expected to start the three games:

Hector Santiago: 2-1, 3.91 ERA, 51K vs. Samuel Deduno: 5-2, 3.72 ERA, 39K

Jose Quintana: 5-3, 3.17 ERA, 63K vs. Scott Diamond: 10-6, 3.21 ERA, 73K

Jake Peavy: 9-10, 3.28 ERA, 159K vs. P.J. Walters: 2-2, 5.40 ERA, 23K

Monday’s game is at 6:10 pm and Tuesday’s game is at 7:10 pm and and Wednesday’s game will begin at 1:10 pm. All times CDT. » Continue reading “Time To Panic! Series Preview: White Sox V Twins”

Run support? Sort of . . .

Well, Justin Verlander did his thing and Jake Peavy did his thing. Unfortunately, JV came out on top and the Dirty Beast won by a final of 4-2 in the first game of this three game set that is crucial for Sox success. The one huge mistake tonight was when Jake hit Quintin Berry in the bottom of the third inning. There were already two outs at this point. All Jake had to do was get one more out without the runner who was hanging out at third base scoring.

It was not meant to be. Miguel Cabrera, Prince Fielder and Delmon Young were all up to bat after Quintin got hit. And of course, OF COURSE, they would come through to make sure that run would score.

For some added insurance, the Tigers got one more run in the bottom of the seventh inning. JV went eight innings, which is not really unusual for a start of his. He is on a streak of 72 games of going at least six innings in each start. Ugh! I “can’t stand” Justin! » Continue reading “Missing: White Sox Offense”

The White Sox looked to close out their series with the Red Sox with a split. They were well on their way to doing that behind the stellar pitching of Jose Quintana, but that all went to waste in the ninth inning, as the Red Sox beat the White Sox 3-1.

Quintana was spectacular tonight. He pitched eight solid innings, giving up just five hits. He had excellent control and was dominating the Red Sox hitters. But by the ninth inning, things happened. Matt Thornton gave up two hits as his defense let him down a bit. He pitched a third of an inning before being replaced by Addison Reed. He threw three pitches to Cody Ross, and the third was a three-run walk off home run. Another stellar Quintana start wasted. » Continue reading “Ross Causes a White Sox Loss”

Photo by Amy Swenson

This afternoon, White Sox season ticket holders got a chance to chat with Steve Stone and Adam Dunn. As you may have learned from the last two conference calls I covered for Cheryl, I kind of love them and think it’s a great idea. I also love that Cheryl is a season ticket holder and lets me participate.

First to join the call was Steve Stone. Gene Honda moderated the call, and he asked Stoney whether he was surprised at Robin Ventura being named manager this year like a national columnist was. Stone was surprised but for a different reason. Most people were surprised because Robin had never managed at any level prior to this position.

Stone said this is not a negative for Robin. He gets the respect of every player in that clubhouse, but he doesn’t command it. It goes beyond being a good player back in his playing days because he understands the players today. Stone also said that just like a first-year player, a first-year manager is going to make mistakes. Robin has to deal with 25 different egos and work with his coaching staff as well.

» Continue reading “Conference Call with Steve Stone and Adam Dunn”

Ah, the old “Detroit sucks” chant. Heard often in Chicago when one of the city’s teams is playing against a Detroit team. Frankly, it has gotten to be old and seriously unoriginal. Especially when the Detroit teams don’t actually suck.

Not to mention, that the City of Detroit doesn’t deserve that kind of hate when it has faced some tough times of late. In any event, the White Sox are off to the Motor City to square off with the Tigers. Here is what you need to know for the three-games over the weekend.

2012 Record: White Sox 12-13 3rd in AL Central. Tigers: 12-12, 2nd in AL Central

2012 Series: 2-1

2011 Series Record: 5-13

All-Time Series Record: 1,003 – 1,023 (The Sox are 469 – 539 at Detroit)

The following pitchers are expected to pitch in the three games: 

Jake Peavy: 3-1, 1.67 ERA, 33K v.  Drew Smyly: 1-0, 1.23 ERA, 22K

Gavin Floyd: 2-3, 3.13 ERA, 31K v. Max Scherzer: 1-3, 7.77 ERA, 27K

Chris Sale: 3-1, 2.81 ERA, 29K v. Rick Porcello: 2-2, 5.64 ERA, 15K

Friday’s game is at 6:05 pm, Saturday’s game is at 3:05 pm and Sunday’s game is at 12:05 pm. All times CDT.  » Continue reading “Detroit Sucks?!? Series Preview: White Sox @ Tigers”

Image via @whitesox

In case you were under a rock this weekend, great stuff happened in baseball. The media’s “favorite” teams had an interesting game on Saturday where one team blew a nine-run lead to lose by a final of something ridiculous.

Then, in Seattle, Philip Humber threw a perfect game. Let me repeat: A. PERFECT. GAME. It is always fun to see those guys who you think have absolutely ZERO chance to toss such a gem, but he did it. And it was amazing.

I am feeling rather fortunate to have witnessed some amazing White Sox stuff since 2005. A World Series win. A no-hitter where Mark Buehrle faced the minimum 27 batters since his one mistake he picked off base. Then a couple years later, a perfect game at the Cell. Finally, Saturday’s perfect game thrown by Philip Humber. » Continue reading “South Side Hits: Philip Humber Edition”

Er, I mean versus the Detroit Tigers. No, Dirty Beast is more appropriate. I mean, The Sox should just give up this weekend. Not bother to play the games and forfeit them.

I mean, the Tigers are going to run away with the AL Central. They’ve got hitting and they have some good pitchers. Why bother trying or even playing the games?

Oh, wait, there is a reason to play the games for real and not on paper. Here is what fans should know for this weekend that is Opening Weekend at the Cell.

2012 Record: White Sox 3-2 (2nd in AL Central); Tigers 5-1 (1st in AL Central)

2011 Record: White Sox 79-83, 3rd in AL Central. Tigers 95-67, 1st in AL Central

2011 Season Series: 5-13

All-Time Record: 1,001-1,022 (The Sox are 532-483 at home against the Tigers) » Continue reading “Series Preview: White Sox v That Dirty Beast”