Just when we all figured things couldn’t get much worse, the White Sox laid another egg this afternoon at Kaufman Stadium. It was, yet again, a frustrating game on so many levels. As much as it pains me to do it, I’ll jot down my thoughts about this one!
Quintana continues to dazzle…with no support
Jose Quintana was great again today, but had nothing to show for it (Credit: Zimbo).
Once again, Jose Quintana did a fantastic job on the mound, getting out of jam after jam after jam and pitching his behind off. The nine hits he gave up really does not indicate how well he pitched, as about half of those hits were seeing-eye singles and the two run double by Salvador Perez was just a chopper that bounced so high over Olmedo’s head that he had no chance at it. He certainly did his job today, but the offense continues to not show up when Quintana pitches. It should be a crime that a pitcher who has done as well as he has holds a 5-2 record.
Guthrie gets us again
Jeremy Guthrie was even better today than he was against the Sox on August 8th, and that’s hard to believe. However, this time I’m actually not as upset, as it’s just clear right now that Guthrie has it going. That’s now three straight outstanding starts for the guy, and his stuff was pretty fantastic today. However, you should expect to do much better than that, regardless of the pitcher on the mound.
What’s up with the bullpen?
After having a great stretch, the bullpen struggled mightily this series. Today, it was Jesse Crain’s turn, as he promptly came in and gave up three runs as soon as the Sox tied the game. He and Donnie Veal walked a combined three hitters in the eighth inning, something that’s entirely unacceptable.
Can’t wait to see the Yankees!
That’s right, I’m THRILLED to see the Yankees up next on the schedule just because that means we don’t have to see the Royals. It’s getting ridiculous against this team because as I said yesterday, it’s like they play nervous against Kansas City now. That throw AJ threw away in the eighth inning? He makes that play in his sleep. This is so much like how they would play against Minnesota from 2007-2010! I can’t believe that boogeyman team is actually a bad one like KC!
The good thing is that Detroit has been doing us favors, dropping another one today at home to Baltimore. Tomorrow night, it will be Freddy Garcia opposing Gavin Floyd. Garcia has had his ups and downs with New York since leaving the White Sox after the 2012 season, but he’s done well of late. In his last four outings, he has given up three runs or less, including holding the Rangers to just two runs in 6 2/3 innings last time out at Yankee Stadium. It will be pretty impressive if he can shut down two good offenses in a row in hitter’s parks, but our offense needs to start playing like the good one they are!
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Posted by Luke Stanczyk, GSB! Contributor