2021 Series #9 | Indians @ White Sox | April 30 - May 2, 2021

[WhoAzcue]

DC, the good thing is that Shaw hasn't displaced anyone, he's earned it. And I'm still fully on-board with Wittgren, by the way. I really wish Francona would trust some of these other guys...I suspect we're going to have a lot of small leads to protect late and it's high time Francona widen his circle of trust because it's more than a little silly to feel you have to go Shaw-Karinchak-Clase whenever you have a five run lead.

 

[CATS44]

Lindor came up and immediately solidified the defense and produced with the bat.

Some thoughts...

Instant results from kids are rare, and the what we don't have is better than what we do have syndrome is usually wrong.

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We are now playing .580 ball within the division, and 6-5 vs Chicago/Minnesota....in spite of the rotation running on three cylinders.

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Anybody who thinks that we could trade Jose for a package so big that we wouldn't miss a beat is nuts.

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SSS vs track record is weighted heavily towards track record....( see Plesac, Zack)

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On to KC, whose pitching staff got torched for 25 runs this weekend, and the pen got used a lot.

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Our pen was forced to throw a lot of innings yesterday, but it is so deep ( and good) that we could come back with Shaw, Karinchak, and Clase today.

 

[CATS44]

We used five relievers yesterday.

Who did anyone want to see today vs Chicago's lineup, other than the three we used?

The only one we didn't see in the last two games was Stephan.

With Allen gone and Hentges starting, Stephan and Quantrill are the only two long men we have behind TMac and Hentges

 

[Gson]

We have ground to make up, but with the team (as you say) still "unsettled," would you take a split in KC this week? I would, absolutely. I think it would be encouraging.

I want to win every game.. anything less is defeatist..

or some such booo-shit..

 

[CATS44]

The Royals have switched up their rotation for us.

Daniel Lynch (LHP), their top pitching prospect and 2018 first rounder, will be called up to make his MLB debut vs Civale.

If they move everybody back a day, we will also see Junis, Minor, and Singer.

 

[KilgoreTrout]

We have ground to make up, but with the team (as you say) still "unsettled," would you take a split in KC this week? I would, absolutely. I think it would be encouraging.

I will settle for nothing less than 3 of 4.

 

[sportscoach]

Jose is, um, kinda hot.

@Lee. @The Oi someone has the hots around here for a ball player... What ya think?

 

[WhoAzcue]

I will settle for nothing less than 3 of 4.

Nobody ever said you were realistic about anything, so sure, go ahead, set those expectations high, we're all hopeful. But please, no complaining that the team stinks because they "fail" to play .750 ball on the road, okay?

 

[Mott the Hoople]

DJohnson with 5 K's today is more than troubling to me.
Baseball is a game of adjustments. Sometimes instant adjustments on the fly. To me this indicates a severe problem with his game and approach right now. He needs more work on his game, but not at the major league level.
The Royals saw this game. All of baseball knows his problems.

 

[daddywags]

@Lee. @The Oi someone has the hots around here for a ball player... What ya think?

I knew that was coming, but said "what the hell."

 

[sportscoach]

I knew that was coming, but said "what the hell."

I mean we gotta have the hots for someone outside of the wives, ex-wives and moms of posters on here once in awhile ya know? Lol

 

[WhoAzcue]

We used five relievers yesterday.

Who did anyone want to see today vs Chicago's lineup, other than the three we used?

The only one we didn't see in the last two games was Stephan.

With Allen gone and Hentges starting, Stephan and Quantrill are the only two long men we have behind TMac and Hentges

I would agree with you, CATS, except we know how Francona operates. He'll run out of bullets and say, "What else could I have done?"

Perhaps...actually save some bullets? If Stephan can't get three outs before five runs score, he shouldn't be on the roster. Nothing prevents the big guys from being ready if things go south. And then maybe we have some of our top guys fresh and available tomorrow.

I realize circumstances are what they are. I've just watched Francona many, many times trot his "A" guys out there unnecessarily. Today there may have been a necessity, maybe, but I think it's a waste using your top guys in a game like this, generally speaking.

 

[Wham with the Right Hand]

I would agree with you, CATS, except we know how Francona operates. He'll run out of bullets and say, "What else could I have done?"

Perhaps...actually save some bullets? If Stephan can't get three outs before five runs score, he shouldn't be on the roster. Nothing prevents the big guys from being ready if things go south. And then maybe we have some of our top guys fresh and available tomorrow.

I realize circumstances are what they are. I've just watched Francona many, many times trot his "A" guys out there unnecessarily. Today there may have been a necessity, maybe, but I think it's a waste using your top guys in a game like this, generally speaking.

I would have used Stephan in the 9th against the 6-7-8 hitters with a five-run lead and saved Clase. We have four games against the division leaders starting tomorrow and they could all be close.

 

[sportscoach]

I would have used Stephan in the 9th against the 6-7-8 hitters with a five-run lead and saved Clase. We have four games against the division leaders starting tomorrow and they could all be close.

My guess is he wanted to make sure the win happened...

 

[CATS44]

Tito uses his horses frequently...always has.

Nobody complained when he road Shaw, Miller, and Allen to the WS.

The question isn't whether Stephan could have pitched today. Its what is the best use for him...an inning today, or prepared to go three on Tuesday behind Hentges?