– Wasn’t a pretty game, but at least the White Sox didn’t give up. Last season’s team would have packed it in after the top of the first. However, these guys play hard for Robin, and for a manager, the most important thing you can have is the respect of your players.
– Given that, I’m a bit skeptical as to why Robin elected to go with Axe today (I know Zach disagrees). As someone who pitched in college, I know from experience that it’s not your stuff that leaves you when you pitch on short rest: it’s your command. Given the fact that Axelrod doesn’t have good stuff and needs to be pinpoint in terms of keeping the ball down in order to be effective, today’s game seemed like a recipe for disaster for him. You didn’t really have any options on the roster outside of maybe Deunte Heath, but the Sox probably made the decision that Sale wouldn’t start this game a while ago. Plans should have been made more accordingly, and maybe someone like Charles Leesman, who has dominated in AAA, could have been given the start today.
Leesman is only 7-7 in 2012, but has held a sub 3.00 ERA for the better part of the season for the Charlotte Knights. Photo courtesy MiLB
– However, that’s not really a big concern. The bullpen is. I think Kenny Williams realizes that what’s out there right now won’t cut it, even if Crain comes back and Axelrod becomes the long man when Humber returns. Hector Santiago looked pretty good out there today, but everyone else couldn’t command anything. I’m very surprised Leyson Septimo has looked this bad, and I can’t understand why Nate Jones can’t pitch well when he enters with inherited runners. He’s the modern day Bill Simas (my late 90s, early 2000s Sox fans will remember that one).
– Tyler Flowers can’t hit out of a wet paper bag. I know he plays solid defense back there and can gun guys out, but it’s not like he’s a guy who is going to come in as a defensive replacement. Therefore, if he’s not hitting as the backup catcher, I’m not sure what kind of value he has to the team. This is something the Sox probably won’t upgrade, as the bullpen is obviously a much larger concern, but I wouldn’t mind if they did.
– I hate to blame games on umpires, and that’s not why the Sox lost, but it was pretty bad today. It seemed like the zone for Toronto’s pitching got bigger each inning, while ours stayed the same. Plus, that check swing by De Aza was nowhere near a strike. Hawk complained about everything all game (which, by the way, gets extremely annoying to hear), so I’m shocked he said nothing about that!
Regardless, this was a GREAT first half for this ballclub. There’s no way I would have believed you if you told me on opening day that the Sox would be in first place and nine games over .500 at the all-star break. With the way things are looking this this squad, I don’t think they’ll falter in the dog days of July and August either.
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Post by Luke Stanczyk, “GSB!” Editor.