Posts tagged ‘Sox’

Seeing as it’s now April 29th and the season is officially one month old, let’s take a look at where the White Sox stand:

Offensive Categories:
Team Average: .242 (14th in the AL)
On-Base Percentage: .338 (7th)
OPS (OB+SLG): .755 (5th)
Runs: 130 (5th)

Pitching Categories:
Runs Allowed: 101 (2nd)
ERA: 3.77 (3rd)
BAA: .248 (4th)
Quality Starts: 17 (1st)

The people who tell you the numbers never lie are only half right. Numbers lie all the time. For example, when a team is hitting collectively as bad as the Sox are, the numbers tell you they should stink at scoring runs and winning games. And lately, the Sox have stunk at putting points on the board - and yet they’re sitting in first place heading to May while ranking in the top half of the league in every other significant offensive measuring stick. How’s this possible?

Meanwhile, what was expected to be the most combustible element of this Sox team - the starting rotation - has been outstanding. Gavin Floyd has pitched well enough to win every start. John Danks is 4 for 5 in quality outings, as is Jose Contreras. Javy Vazquez picked up where he left off - the most suspect member of the rotation is Mark Buehrle!

So you’d think things would be looking all the way up, right? Not exactly. The Sox have to start hitting if they’re going to stay a factor. To take a glass-half-full look at it, the poor average is with Nick Swisher, Orlando Cabrera, Jim Thome & Paul Konerko hitting way below where they’re expected to be. On the down side? The poor average reflects the fact that Nick Swisher, Orlando Cabrera, Jim Thome & Paul Konerko are hitting way below where they’re expected to be. Does anybody else feel comfortable just saying, “Don’t worry, they’re bound to turn it on and break loose sooner or later?” Hawk can say it. No way I’m saying it.

Our latest report from Arizona correspondent SoxManDan, who checked in after Monday’s clash with the Milwaukee Brewers (the Sox & the Brew Crew tied, 4-4)…

Another beautiful day in AZ, sunny and 70’s, Maryvale Park, Phoenix. Brewers wearing green caps.

Miller products sold at park, High Life draft $5.25; nice break from Surprise and Peoria $8.00 drafts. Sadly, the seats had no cupholders! There was no pitch speed scoreboard either. Despite these little issues, the park was beautiful and we had seats 4 rows behind home plate, a mere 25 feet from Ozzie sitting next to the dugout and Jerry Reinsdorf and Kenny Williams sitting right behind him in the first row.

Javier Vasquez looked strong at the start, but then lapsed into the old middle-inning jitters (5th), eventually giving up 6H in 4-2/3 innings, 4R (only 1 earned). He had 6 strikeouts and was dominating early. By the way, Javi also had 2 sharp singles hitting in the national league park, drawing “we aren’t worthy” gestures from Ozzie and the bench, very entertaining!

A special note: First spring training GOLDEN SOMBRERO award to “Look at the big bat on Brad!” Eldred. 4 very bad strikeouts, each time walking past the manager, GM and owner towards the dugout, head down…..hang in there, Brad!

Six broken bat plays this game (new spring training record I think).

Logan, Thornton, MacDougal (YIKES), and #89 (mystery man — editor’s note: that would be Justin Cassel) pitched for Sox, adequately.

Mike Cameron hit a long 3-run homer off Vasquez in the 5th.

Ozuna 2 hits, Swisher double, Ramirez double, no other offensive standouts. Game called after 10 innings by mutual consent of managers.

Next reports with co-SOX correspondent Dave “Wimpy” Gallagher (no relation to former Sox outfielder) Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Monday!