After two games in the ALDS against the Tampa Bay Rays, it's clear the Chicago White Sox are following the Metrodome Template in their quest for postseason glory:
Step 1: Watch Javier Vazquez collapse. CHECK.Step 2: Waste a perfectly acceptable start by Mark Buehrle. CHECK2A: Help a shaky opposing starter out of trouble repeatedly. CHECK
2B: Flail helplessly against the bullpen. CHECK.
2C: Make Buehrle record extra outs. CHECK.
Step 3: Blow a five-run lead.The good news the Sox return home after only two games indoors, instead of three. However, I'd advise you to prepare for a Game 5 letdown (if necessary).
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There should be an asterisk next to "flail," because against J.P.C. Thomas Thurston Howell III, the Sox had extreme trouble pulling the trigger. Juan Uribe, Brian Anderson and Nick Swisher all struck out. And only Juan Uribe had cause to complain:
First, the pitch locations to Uribe and Anderson:
Uribe didn't have a chance on the pitch out of the strike zone, considering it started out well inside before tailing back to still end up off the plate. That one's unfortunate.
On the other hand,
Howell has made Anderson look foolish on two consecutive days. Friday night, he struck out Anderson without throwing a single pitch faster than 81 m.p.h. -- three changeups and one curve. Howell also froze Anderson Thursday, although to B.A.'s credit, he did work the count full then. In his own words, "
I don't know, man."
And then there's
Nick Swisher. Oy.
Somehow he found issue with C.B. Bucknor's strike zone despite Bucknor giving him a fastball at the knees in his favor to start the at-bat. He didn't expect a 3-2 curve, and plainly put, his season can't end soon enough.