“Your Best in the Midwest Chicago White Sox Weekly Report”
By Soxman and SoxGirl
Paul M. Banks is on assignment scouting perspective in-laws, so sports super fan Soxman is joined this week by the newest member of the American League of Justice, SoxGirl, who is hotter than Gordon Beckham at the plate.
(SM) White Sox Nation rejoice! This was a very exciting week for our franchise and fans. After a humiliating sweep at the Metro”dump,” by the Twins, we are right back in the play-off hunt, acquired a Cy Young Award winner, had a perfect pitcher break a major league record and took three of four games from the New York Yankees! SoxGirl care to start?
(SG) How about Jake Peavy? Talk about a surprise blockbuster! The White Sox acquired a proven ace, with a career ERA of 3.29, solidified their rotation for the next two years at least, and have made themselves a stronger team for the stretch run. What’s not to like about this trade?
(SM) There was a belief not even a month ago that Peavy’s ankle injury was so severe, he could be shut down for the season. This scared a lot of suitors away. However, he threw off the mound Sunday. The Sox now believe he will be ready to go before the end of the month! People argued that we gave up a lot. Clayton Richard has posted a 1.25 era over his last three starts including over five innings of two hit ball in his Padre’s debut. Aaron Poreda should be solid as well. Adam Russell has not shown much in his time with the Sox and Dexter Carter is very young. Sure the move turns away from GM Kenny Williams vow to grow talent from within somewhat, but you can’t pass on the opportunity for a pitcher like Jake Peavy.
Still it leaves the open question of the fourth spot in the rotation and who occupies the fifth spot until Peavy returns?
(SG) Here’s where the gamble is on our season. Providing we hit like we did against the Yankees, we should stay within striking distance until Peavy returns. If he returns healthy, we will only really one question mark in our rotation. By the end of August, I’m hoping to see starting five of Buehrle, Peavy, Danks, Floyd and then Contreras, Colon, or “Big Game” Freddy Garcia. As far as “spot starts” for a fifth starter goes, I expect I Ozzie to turn to D.J. Carrasco or you’ll see a “one start” call-up of a hot minor leaguer as was the case with Carlos Torres a couple of weeks back. Where I’m left scratching my head though is over who owns the fifth starter spot for the rest of the season?
(SM) Ozzie will go with the hot hand or I guess you could say “healthy arm.” Contreras has a 5.94 ERA over his last three starts. Control has been an issue for him. Colon had a great start in his return from the disabled list but was immediately disabled again with elbow inflammation. Freddy Garcia looked good in his first minor league start last week. Garcia went three innings and did not allow a run on two hits and one walk. He also managed to strike out three and induce two double play balls. Garcia could be ready in within two weeks.
(SG) Well pitching should be our strong suit down the stretch. If anything positive came from our visit to the Metro “Dump” last week, it was once again Mark Buehrle. In his first start since making history, he was perfect once again through 5.2 innings. He set the major league record with 45 straight batters retired spanning his last two starts, surpassing fellow teammate Bobby Jenks who tied the record a couple of season back.
(SM) Those poor performances in twinkiville were quickly forgotten in our “bombing” of the Bronx bombers. The exciting thing was to see a balanced offensive attack from this team extenuating the importance of Scott Podsednik and Gordon Beckham, who has looked great atop the batting order. Beckham could very well be the 2009 Rookie of the Year. He’s hit .407 over his last six games with a .311 average overall on the season.
(SG) “The Savior” has been great I admit that, but lets not forget other players who have been clutch as well. Chris Getz is getting little attention despite hitting .333 with 1 HR and 4 SB over his last 15 games. And, how about my man, Mr. Controversy A.J. Pierzynski, who is raking with a .526 batting average over his last six games and a .393 batting average over his last 15 games! I noticed he was booed loudly by the Twins fans. As A.J. was drafted by Minnesota, why is he hated so much there?
(SM) Leave it to SoxGirl to find a way to work AJ into a Sox exchange! I have no clue. The Twins were forced to deal A.J., as they had perennial All-Star, Joe Mauer ready for the majors. Before joining the White Sox in 2005, he was traded to the Giants for Joe Nathan, Francisco Liriano, and Boof Bonser. Nathan has emerged as one of he best closers in the game, so you would think Twins fans would be grateful to A.J.
(SG) I am every time I watch him play!
(SM) Well lets close this week’s exchange out with Maybe or Mirage, where we hit 5 quick points on the White Sox and offer our opinion whether it is a sign of things to come or something likely to fade quickly? Remember, no answer can be longer than 20 words! Let’s play ball…
Ladies first…
The Sox cannot beat the Twins.
(SG) Mirage. The 2008 tiebreaker game. Enough said.
(SM) Mirage. SoxGirl, great minds think alike.
Brian Anderson will comeback to haunt the Sox.
(SG) Maybe. He’ll haunt the Red Sox for acquiring him.
(SM) Maybe. He already has for convincing the Sox he could replace Aaron Rowand.
Bobby Jenks will remain the White Sox Closer.
(SG) Maybe. He has huge stones…kidney stones that is.
(SM) Maybe. I shutter at the thought of Linebrink or Dotel getting the ball in the ninth.
Mark Kotsay is this year’s Geoff Blum.
(SG) Mirage. But he’s still better than Brian Anderson.
(SM) Maybe. They both played with Jake Peavy…LOL.
Jake Peavy will play better than Jarrod Washburn.
(SG) Maybe. But Washburn will have a better ankle.
(SM) Maybe…in 2010, 2011 and 2012.
Great exchange SoxGirl! Paul M. Banks returns next week!
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