Guest: Scott Merkin, MLB.com
On this week's show, we are joined by Chicago White Sox beat reporter, Scott Merkin. He shares his insight on Lucas Giolito's first start, the hitting adjustments Matt Davidson made in the offseason, and why he thinks the White Sox could surprise the baseball world and become contenders.
We also discuss Welington Castillo's first two games behind the plate and ponder how Rick Renteria will use Nate Jones and Joakim Soria in late-inning situations.
Plus, your P.O. Sox questions:
Does Eloys setback almost guarantee he won’t be up until later in the season like August or September? I mean he will be starting late and at AA. He will have to barely play at each level to be up earlier. I see them using this as an excuse to keep him at levels.
— Pete Chapman (@PeteCha56613119) April 2, 2018
Is there a good reason that the home teams for the first two or three series of the year aren't always the AL/NL West plus dome teams plus Tampa and Miami?
— Gucas Liogito (@GucasLiogito) April 1, 2018
Louis Levin on Patreon:
The Tigers rainouts, the Royals snow-outs, the Reds weather hell... how do we fix the MLB schedule with regard to March/April? Domed stadiums? Shorter season? Balaclavas?
Trooper from Patreon:
The Royals didn't have assets to trade like the White Sox did to speed up their rebuild, but they are loaded for bear for the 2018 draft and still have Moustakas as a trade chit. Are they at all poised to challenge the White Sox when Hahn gets the team into their planned championship window?
Patreon-only subscribers question from T.J. Harbor:
Most of our top prospects came by way of trade, not up through the CWS org. Has anything changed to make sure FA and draft picks are better so we don't have to rebuild again in 2022? I guess I am questioning whether this rebuild is a reset of the organization or if this going to become the new norm?
This episode is presented by SeatGeek and Draft.
Save $20 off your first ticket purchase by using promo code SOXMACHINE at seatgeek.com or on the SeatGeek app. Opening Day tickets start at $32 dollars and next weekend tickets start at $10.
If you like playing daily fantasy sports, try Draft by receiving a free contest entry using promo code SOXMACHINE when signing up. Look for me at soxmachine_josh and play in the daily Sox Machine Challenge.
To listen, click play below: