MVN - Most Valuable Network

Wagons West!

Well, private jets anyway.

The West has not been kind to our Southsiders in the past, but I don’t get too hung up on trends like that. It’s a different club, with different players, and what the club did a few years ago has no bearing on how this particular trip will go.

That being said, this trip will show me something about this team. The Sox are coming off of a disastrous 0-6 “double-dome-dip” against the Twins and Blue Jays in which they scored only nine runs. The next ten games are at the Mariners, the Angels, and then the Giants. If they can come back 5-5 or 6-4, I will be content. If they come back 8-2 or 9-1 I will be elated. If they fall apart like the last road trip and come back 1-9 or 2-8, it will be a cause for concern.

The Angels are tough, but the Mariners and Giants are more then beatable, and the Sox need to prove they can win on the road. The sputtering offense finally showed some signs of life against the Twins, but their .233 team average is really starting to make me wonder if last year wasn’t the anomaly.

An Ace Up Their Sleeve?

Do the White Sox have an ace up their sleeve?

It’s beginning to look like that is the case, as young Gavin Floyd came just two outs away from pitching a no-hitter last night. He was just five outs away from a no-hitter earlier in the year against Detroit.

Floyd is emerging as one of baseball’s best young pitchers, and a welcomed surprise to White Sox fans. In six games started, he is 3-1, with a 2.50 ERA, and a WHIP of 0.96. (That’s walks and hits per inning pitched for those who do not play fantasy baseball).

More important then his stats, is his confidence and demeanor on the mound. He looks and acts like the ace of a team. In Philadelphia, and on this club last year, he appeared to lack confidence and command of his pitches. Whatever he did over the off-season, it is working.

I think pitching coach Don Cooper needs to get some credit for the turn around as well. He may be one of the most underrated pitching coaches in baseball. You always hear about Cardinal’s pitching coach Dave Duncan, and former Braves pitching coach Leo Mazzone, but “Coop” deserves some recognition as well.

The 2005 pitching staff was very well-coached, and became the key to the World Series championship. This year’s club ranks 3rd in all of baseball with a 3.45 ERA, and first in “Batting Average Against”, which is a slim .232.

Cooper has a good handle on the personalities and strengths of each pitcher, and he has proven that he can handle “hot-headed” manager Ozzie Guillen.

Although his name may be unknown to fans across the country, you can be sure that GM’s and owners across the league know who he is. Unfortunately for White Sox fans, he may be managing another club in the near future if that is his goal.

But for now White Sox fans, enjoy him while we have him, and hope that quality pitching translates into another championship.

Sweet Home Chicago

Six Games, Nine Runs Scored, No Wins.

The odd thing about the current league leading, six-game losing streak is that the starting pitching has been great and the club has still managed to lose. Over the last 6 games, White Sox pitching has only given up an average of just over 3 runs a game. It’s very frustrating to watch, but I would rather have it this way than the starters getting shelled. A solid one through five in the rotation and a dependable bullpen will keep this team in the mix all year.

So how and when will this offensive slump end?

The next three games are at home against the first place Minnesota Twins. The home stand could be a great opportunity to right the ship and get the offense kick-started against average starters Nick Blackburn, Livan Hernandez, and Scott Baker.

Regardless if they turn it around now, or a week from now, they need to be more aggressive. Having runners on second and third and nobody out and coming away with nothing is unacceptable. Hit and Run, Run and Hit, Bunt, Shuffle the Line-up – Just do something to take an active approach to the offense.

Let’s hope for Ken “The Hawk” Harrelson’s coronary health that they turn it around soon. It’s three at home against Minnesota, and then a West Coast swing against Seattle, Los Angeles, and San Francisco.

Whitesox Limping Back To Chicago

Whitesox just finished a 6 game road trip in Minnesota and Toronto were they scored a total of nine runs. New Comers Nick Swisher and Orlando Cabrera aren’t helping the club at all and neither has Jim Thome or Paul Konerko.

 The Whitesox are hitting a blistering .232 as a team which ranks 29th in the league.  As for Sox pitching they are getting the job done. The team ranks 6th in the league with a 3.64 Era. This is a great sign as the bats you would hope should come around to get this team going.

This series against Minnesota at home is very important this early in the season. Whitesox are on a six game losing streak and currently two games back of the Twins in the Central. As a Whitesox fan you hate to call this a must win series but if you get swept and become five games back, then this team could really talespin. The pitching matchups look to favor Chicago slighty as they have Floyd/Buehrle/Danks going against Blackburn/Hernandez/Baker.

One last thing as I want to give you my thought on Ozzie Gullien and his latest rant. As a Whitesox fan I have to say PLEASE SHUT UP ALREADY! Manage the team and don’t worry about the media and what fans are saying. If you don’t like Chicago fans then please resign your post. Ozzie your on a thin line my friend and I really think the people of Chicago are tired of you. Folks go read his quotes because it will show how much this guy just loves himself and what he has to say.