Guardians 5, White Sox 2: Things fall apart

This game should’ve been defined by the zero-sum nature of battles on the field.

Triston McKenzie stopped the bleeding in the first inning with a Yasmani Grandal double-play ball, struck out the side to strand a runner on third with nobody out in the fifth as part of a 14-strikeout, zero-walk game against the Sox previously accomplished only by Pedro Martinez and Nolan Ryan.

Reynaldo López threw the 2-2 back-foot slider he wanted to Steven Kwan, only to see Kwan get his hands in and keep the ball fair down the right-field line for a game-tying RBI triple in the seventh. Amed Rosario rolled the next pitch through the left side for the go-ahead single that decided the game, and … fine. That put the Sox on course for another gutting loss at Progressive Field, but that’s players beating players.

Then Tony La Russa made a farce out of the remainder of the inning. He called for Jake Diekman to face José Ramírez, and he ended up walking Ramírez on seven pitches, which is among the better outcomes, especially since the Guardians had consecutive lefties coming up behind him. Diekman got ahead 1-2 on Josh Naylor … only to walk him on eight pitches to load the bases. Andres Gimenez then inside-outed a first pitch sinker through the vacant shortstop position to make it a 5-2 game.

And this is where things get weird.

First, Diekman stayed in to face the right-handed Oscar Gonzalez even though Jimmy Lambert was warm in the bullpen, which seemed like a suboptimal choice given Diekman’s issues, but it’s a choice nevertheless. But Diekman didn’t look the runner on second back and gave up a double steal that opened first base on a 1-2 count, and that set up La Russa’s favorite decision: the intentional walk when one strike away from ending the inning.

That loaded the bases for Nolan Jones, and only when Terry Francona pulled him back for Owen Miller did La Russa go to Lambert. Thanks to Andrew Vaughn making a catch that maxed out his range, La Russa avoided the Trea Turner-Max Muncy fate, and the game remained the final score the rest of the way.

Yet La Russa’s strange machinations continued on the other side of the ball in the eighth, and the game followed his lead. He started the inning by pulling back Seby Zavala for Gavin Sheets, even though the bases empty isn’t the best use for Sheets’ power, and even though it cost the White Sox their DH because Grandal would have to move behind the plate.

Sheets struck out, and AJ Pollock grounded out. Andrew Vaughn came to the plate and worked a full count, but ball four was painful. Trevor Stephan’s fastball hit the sock logo on his sleeve, then ricocheted and hit Vaughn in the mouth. Vaughn took his base with a bloody lip before being lifted after the inning, but he showed some toughness.

Eloy Jiménez then generated some doubts about his. With a bleeding Vaughn on first, Jiménez took an odd step on his first swing against Stephan, then left the game with a twisted knee. Adam Engel took his place and grounded out.

Jason Benetti and Steve Stone openly questioned La Russa during the game, and so did Chuck Garfien and Ozzie Guillen after it. The latter two also teamed up to question Jiménez’s threshold for discomfort, which is how you know things are going well.

Things went well for Lance Lynn, by and large, but he has nothing to show for it. He came within one out of a quality start, limiting the Guardians to a solo shot by Ramírez, four other hits and a walk while striking out six.

He pitched around a couple of shoddy plays, but he also benefited from a plus one. In the first inning, José Abreu cut in front of Josh Harrison on a Ramírez bouncer that forced Lynn into a foot race to first that he wasn’t going to win. In the fourth, Harrison couldn’t catch Naylor’s sinking liner, and Lynn briefly showed some disappointment.

In the sixth, however, Ramírez’s homer was preceded by AJ Pollock gunning down Rosario at second on an ill-fated attempt to stretch a single into a double, with new shortstop Elvis Andrus applying the tag. That at least left him in position to win the game before everything went haywire.

He also should’ve received more support from his offense, but the lineup’s plate discipline eroded against McKenzie.

They did their best and only work in the first inning, when Pollock singled, Jiménez doubled with one out, and Abreu’s infield single brought one run home. Moncada then had a palpable hit that made it 2-0 and put runners on the corners with one out, until Grandal rolled one over to second on a 4-6-3 double play that just about everybody else could have beaten out.

The Sox then proceeded to strike out 13 times over the next six innings, including three strikeouts in the fifth inning after Harrison led off with a double and took third on a wild pitch (the ball rolled into the dugout and Harrison bounded for home, but the rules don’t award the extra base on the ball leaving the field on a pitch for some dumb reason.) Pollock and Vaughn ended the inning by striking out on three pitches apiece.

All in all, McKenzie got 25 swinging strikes on 101 pitches, along with 14 called strikes on his fastball. Grandal took two of them before pounding a breaking ball into the ground, and McKenzie cruised after that.

Bullet points:

*The White Sox struck out 17 times without a walk, every starter struck out, and Adam Engel was the only one of 11 hitters to avoid that fate.

*The Guardians, conversely, earned eight walks and an HBP against 11 strikeouts.

*The White Sox are now 14-24 in series openers, and they fell 3½ games behind Cleveland, and two games behind Minnesota, which won.

Record: 61-59 | Box score | Statcast

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87 Comments
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itaita

Sox hitters have something in common with me playing baseball in high school. We both swing at breaking pitches a foot out of the zone. Now if only i could’ve gotten paid millions to do it!

Steve

It’s as if the Sox hadn’t done any scouting and given it to the batters.

Steve

On the Watchmen, a character was reading Things Fall Apart. A few episodes later, he’s was beaten in the head with a hammer.

Augusto Barojas

Seeing Grandal hitting as poorly as he has, with the biggest contract of the entire rebuild, and being used at DH against their first place rivals for no apparent reason might give some insight as to why this team is where it’s at.

I still say if they don’t win the division it makes Tony’s departure much more likely. I at least have some hope that’s true. Tony leaving might be about the best thing that could happen to this team, and the most necessary to give them any real chance of a much better 2023.

dwjm3

The best thing that could happen to this team is a serious increase in payroll going into next year. An elite manager wouldn’t win a title with this roster. Serious tier 1 free agents is the only thing that can save this window.

Signing a Trea Turner or Dansby Swanson and moving Tim to second. Probably another significant piece to go along with one of those signings. Coupled with Colas coming up and quickly making an impact. Tony is mediocre but this is a talent issue first and foremost.

Honestly, it would probably take a 250 million dollar payroll to bail Hahn out.

Last edited 1 year ago by dwjm3
Augusto Barojas

You’re right that an elite manager would not win with this roster. I think it is also true that Tony could not win with an elite roster, he is just too weird and stupid about everything he does. He needs to go, is the first and most obvious, easiest change to make, and probably the most necessary.

The FA outfield market is pretty thin, and the only FA OF that would really be what they need is Judge. His year is so huge and the contract he would get so massive it would be hard to imagine. Moving Tim to outfield might help, and yield better fruit than trying him at 2b. He would likely be better than Vaughn quickly just because he is such a better athlete. People can say Tim isn’t the problem, and they’re right. But, him being stuck at SS makes it almost impossible for them to be a good defensive team, that’s just reality… SS is that important. Trea Turner would be the single biggest thing this team could do, other than Judge. Then there is the contract barrier with him as well. The reality is that with this owner, manager, GM, and roster, this team seems close to hopeless other than what appears to be a fleeting hope that they will even win the Central. They’re not going anywhere in October with their defense and hitting problems vs RHP even if they do, bottom line. They need to give huge dollars to someone like Judge, Turner, or Correa, none of whom seem likely to be on the team by opening day because of Jerry.

Probably time to move on from this team, waste of time.

dwjm3

I’m fine with firing LaRussa. He isn’t a good manager. I would just remind people that the next manager will be bad as well. Jerry has hired one league average type manager in my lifetime.

roke1960

The only chance at long term success for this team is to do what he did with GarPax with the Bulls. He needs to get rid of RicKen to save this franchise. But LaRussa must go immediately. They have no chance of winning a crappy division as long as he is sabotaging this team.

*Departure from manager

He’ll get promoted to Director of Intentional Walk Sciences

ParisSox

Not just Tony. Hahn, Williams, the whole coaching staff. I don’t trust Hahn anymore to save this thing. Of course with Jerry’s interference, I’m not sure an outside hire could do better.

ParisSox

A side note, I’m reminded of when Edward Debartolo was denied buying the Sox from Veeck and Reinsdorf won out. I was pissed. I loved Veeck but he knew that we needed a guy with deep pockets to make this franchise successful.

I don’t have many 40 year grudges, but what Reinsdorf has done these least two years is really bringing that to the surface again. (Hamstringing Hahn from signing Tier A non RP/ C free agents and LaRussa.)

It’s maddening

asinwreck

Add my continuing grudge from the 1994 lockout, and I would wonder if I wrote this comment and logged into your account to post it.

soxygen

Amen

ParisSox

That was on my mind too.

LamarHoyt_oncrack

The Yankees have dropped a few recently, so every team struggles at some point. The only difference between the Yankees struggles and the Sox is that the Sox make up 90 percent of their season.

To Err is Herrmann

A lot of negative things are said about Jerry Reinsdorf, alongwith a lot of speculation and theoretical analysis. Maybe he just really doesn’t understand baseball at all nor really care for it. His buddy was a Hall of Fame manager and he felt bad on a personal level for what happened. I think that’s it. I don’t think he really gets baseball. Just owns a team. Something to do.

calcetinesblancos

This experiment has failed.

dwjm3

It wasn’t really an experiment though. Theo and others developed a blue print for this type of tear it all down rebuild. Jerry and team didn’t follow it. Where is our equivalent of the John Lester signing? The waves of talent didn’t really materialize either.

ActiveAndUnavailable

It was supposed to be Dallas Keuchel (and/or Yaz depending how you look at it). The “waves of talent” came in one big wave with, unfortunately, a desert behind it. Yes, the drafting looks to have gotten better the last couple of years (the jury is still out on that), but the player development really hasn’t taken the next step. Bullpen is probably the biggest indictment there. Lambert looks to have a future here, but Hahn went out and spent seemingly the whole off-season budget on Bullpen help because the organization has had trouble developing professional arms. Velasquez, Kelly, Graveman almost cost 20M between them (could have gotten a real nice RF for that… Or Rodon…), and haven’t been worth it at all. The bullpen is especially where you’re supposed to find lightning in a bottle. Lambert, Martin, Banks have all fit this bill at one point or another this season.

lifelongjd

It really should have been Harper. The fact that a guy like that became available at the perfect time and the Sox didn’t show any interest still bothers me. He’s a generational talent that checked all the boxes. They instead embarrassed themselves with the Machado attempt when they already had Anderson as an ascending player.

fozzie_bear_guillen

So…TLR is like the gentle, kind, old man feeding the squrilles who you’d like to get to know…then you realize he kidnapped your children, bathed them in gasoline, and had a smoke while making them Beef-A-Roni…

gibby32

Except for the gentle, kind, old man part.

Joliet Orange Sox

Gentle? No
Kind? No
Old man? Yes!

I hope for his sake Chinua Achebe was not a White Sox fan

asinwreck

If he was, he would certainly be no longer at ease.

Shingos Cheeseburgers

Don’t let anyone ever accuse the Sox Machine readers of not knowing their African literature

asinwreck

I admit that I was looking for an excuse to namecheck my favorite Achebe book after Jim used that headline, and you gave me the perfect opportunity. Thank you.

soxygen

The series of decisions our manager made in this game was truly bizarre. It started with the Abreu at 1B and Yaz at DH lineup (why let Abreu play in the field when his legs hurt and there are so many choices? Why play a backup catcher who can’t stay healthy or run on his day off?), and proceeded from there. At one point it felt like I was listening as TLR painted himself into a corner. The whole Lopez/Diekman part of the game was a disaster. Then there was the Dumb Walk. All the strange substitutions. At some point I began to feel that a wellness check would be in order because this game was a cry for help.

Last edited 1 year ago by soxygen
EddieHaskell

My only explanation for the 1-2 count intentional walk was a Guardians fan yelling ‘Hey Tony, you’ve got a lefty facing a righty with first base open. Walk him.”

vince

This used to be a young, fun team. Now the offense is half-asleep most of the time, and they hurt themselves running to first or swinging the bat.

FishSox

Starting Grandal because he’s historically 3 for 8 against a pitcher, over a guy who just went 4-4 yesterday, defines assinine (extra S for emphasis).

Does Sheets gidp in the first? Maybe, but, less likely than Grandal given his recent history and better speed.

So, right from the first inning, aggravation sets in, just from being worn down by knowing that this idiotic decision is just the start of more to come and I just have to wait for it. I can take it if we aren’t good enough and players beat players, however, the aggravation of idiocy really wears on a person.

Add that to the situation where no one cam seemingly teach Vaughn where the top of the strike zone is and it just compounds the level of incompetence emanating from staff.

Last edited 1 year ago by FishSox
ParisSox

Stone called that out too wondering why Sheets wasn’t playing

Augusto Barojas

People have called out TLR for being stupid. I don’t think he’s managing out of stupidity, but out of spite. He just seems like a bitter and arrogant old man who will do whatever he can to willfully sabotage this team, like a self destructive child with emotional issues. I don’t think the problem is that TLR is stupid, as much as him just being an a-hole.

roke1960

I agree completely. He’s like a little kid whose parents gave him a toy and the license to do whatever he wants with it with no consequences. That would help explain his utterly confounding moves. But he is also way too old to be in that spot. It calls for quick thinking and anticipating moves well in advance. It just doesn’t seem like he’s capable of that anymore.

As Cirensica

In all seriousness, TLR is the worst manager the White Sox has had since the time Tony la Russa managed in the 1980s. The degree of ineptitude displayed by this clown cannot be expressed. It just hurts in the head just rationalizing his train of thoughts. Yesterday I couldn’t stop wondering what would happen if the Sox tied the game and the key at bat came down to the “bat” of José Ruiz or Liam Hendriks

Last edited 1 year ago by As Cirensica
ParisSox

Terry Bevington would like a word

As Cirensica

I swear, I think Bevington is better than this TLR version.

Root Cause

I keep trying to appreciate the individual efforts and ignore the group results. Then they win 5 in a row. Charlie meet football.

Last edited 1 year ago by Root Cause
GrinnellSteve

From Joe Sheehan’s latest newsletter:

“Tony La Russa was once one of the most forward-thinking managers in baseball. He changed the way bullpens are run. He’s won 2800 games, six pennants, and three World Series, and he’s in the Hall of Fame. Over the last 200 games with the White Sox, though, he’s shown considerable tactical weakness, whether in when to take out his starters, how to deploy his relievers, or how to build a lineup. A one-off decision to bat Andrew Vaughn ninth is small potatoes. La Russa’s explanation, though, shows that he simply doesn’t understand why he’s making the move or, for that matter, remember why he did what he did and how he did it a decade ago.

“There are probably no baseball circumstances under which Jerry Reinsdorf — and let’s be clear, this is his decision — would let La Russa go. These White Sox, though, are at the very center of their peak, with a wide-open window. Letting that slip by out of loyalty to a manager who appears to have lost at least two steps would be a shame.”

For today’s newsletter he lifted these two paragraphs from a piece he wrote in May. It was true then. It’s true today.

I highly recommend Sheehan’s newsletter.

roke1960

Yesterday was the last straw. It started when the lineups came out. I cannot think of one single reason to DH Grandal and to not play Sheets after 4 hits the day before. And from comments all over, most people agreed with that. Then of course, Grandal lets McKenzie off the hook with the slowest developing double play in the first to keep from breaking the game open early. But the bottom of the 7th did it for me. I thought early on in the inning that he better have Diekman up to face Kwan if it comes to that because Kwan is a tough matchup for Rey. Then after 2 outs and Kwan coming to the plate, he finally gets Diekman up. Why at that point? It’s like his brain takes 10 minutes to figure something out. I just knew the Sox were in trouble and the next 5 batters confirmed it. I turned the game off and did not check the score until this morning. Then I saw things got even more comical. I will not follow either game this weekend, and depending on what happens for many more after that. I can’t believe I’m actually saying that since I’ve been a diehard Sox fan for almost 60 years. I feel so sorry for the players who are being sabotaged at every turn. The Sox have no chance of winning as long as that jackass is the manager. Jerry, you’ve got a choice. Continue to try to make amends for a “mistake” you made 36 years ago and risk losing this fanbase. Or wake up and send this moron packing. We’re fed up. We’ve had it. Do the right thing and get rid of this clown NOW!!

Last edited 1 year ago by roke1960
charlie

Posted same thing about Diekman/Kwan yesterday.

Augusto Barojas

Your post and Grinnel’s right before yours are spot on. I feel the same. To let TLR manage is an insult to the intelligence and loyalty of the entire fanbase, as is the clowning around not having a right fielder with a WAR over 1 in THREE years. All of it, inexcusable.

As far as walking away, I’m right there with you. From a high level, it’s utterly pointless. If you know that they have basically no chance of winning it all, or even coming close, then what’s the point of watching a slightly different variation of what we’ve seen the past 50 years aside from one season? The owner, GM, and the Russa have all but ruined my ability to even root for this team to succeed. They all seem to be basically petty, rich, dishonest people without any integrity, self reflection, or appreciation for the fans, or the game itself. Screw all of them, and this team until they change how they do things, frankly.

roke1960

If nothing changes before the next homestand, the fans really need to make their displeasure felt. I would really have a hard time giving Jerry any of my money so he can just pocket it and give us the middle finger. Something has to change. This is a very passionate fanbase that is getting royally screwed by an organization that is completely out of touch.

Marty34

The run differential has TLR +5 wins so far.

The problem is there are holes all over the diamond. So much so that I would consider dealing Cease this offseason if they can find get a top prospect at a premium position (i.e. shortstop or catcher.)

roke1960

The eye test for those who have watched this mess all season has LaRussa at about -10.

dwjm3

Lol trading Cease will not make this team better

Last edited 1 year ago by dwjm3
Marty34

You can’t make large portions of this roster better by doing anything. Time to look to the next core.

Greg Nix

Didn’t even know it was possible to have an opinion as bad as “TLR is good actually, therefore they should trade Cease.”

Marty34

SS, C, 3B, 2B, RF, lack of power, record payroll are just a few of the obstacles with this team Cease cannot overcome.

soxygen

That’s not really about Tony entirely. Some of that is luck.

Also, Tony is 21-13 in 1 run games, but he also is always managing as though the next game is going to be close late. He saves his best bullpen for games when we are ahead by a run or two. If we’re ahead by more than that then he brings in his lower leverage guys, allowing the other team to catch up. If we are behind or tied he just sends out his losing bullpen and the score ends up not very close. Succinctly, he manages in a way that leads to one run wins and multi-run losses.

roke1960

DH Grandal when he can’t run, not getting Diekman up in a 1-run game in case he’s needed is bad luck? I saw both of those disasters coming way ahead of time, as did so many other Sox fans.

Marty34

Diekman is awful.

soxygen

I didn’t say that those were bad luck. Just that some of the Sox overachieving their run differential might be luck. As my comment much earlier in this recap indicates, I thought this entire game was a series of managerial errors so we may be in agreement there and not disagreement.

roke1960

Thanks for clarifying. I misread your statement. We are in agreement!

Marty34

I would not retain TLR. Not directed at you, but the talent on this team is not better than its record.

gibby32

I believe that you are completely wrong. But given that baseball is not a laboratory controlled experiment, neither of us can prove it.

gibby32

Like many baseball statistics, run differential only tells part of the story or tells the story in limited circumstances. The White Sox negative run differential is a function of decisions that LaRussa has made in various games. To use that stat to exculpate LaRussa is a misuse of statistics.

roke1960

I must admit, I was one of the few that thought hiring Tony might be an ok move. Wow was I wrong. I thought we were getting the 1980-2000s Tony who was always one step ahead of the other manager. Instead we got the 1940s Connie Mack.

Last edited 1 year ago by roke1960
Marty34

How do you evaluate a manager of a MLB team?

gibby32
  1. Do the players look as if they are ready to play with an awareness of game situations..
  2. Does he respond straightforwardly to press and other inquiries, taking the pressure off of the players.
  3. Does he make rational lineup, bullpen and in-game decisions.
  4. Do the results appear to reflect the consensus talent level, taking into account injuries, etc.
Marty34

. . . In other words like a fan. Don’t quit your day job.

roke1960

Or you can evaluate a manger the way Hahn does, like a complete imbecile.

gibby32

This is an amusingly silly response.

Marty34

Wins are all that matter and it didn’t make your list.

gibby32

You are inconsistent. Above, you said that that the talent level on the team is not good and no manager can overcome that. Now you say that wins are the only thing that matters. You are silly and simplistic, saying whatever feels good at the time. What made my list are the things that a manager can control.

Marty34

In this analytical age we are in your list is far too subjective to be taken with anything other than a grain of salt. Particularly since you have no real insight on what is really going on in the clubhouse.

gibby32

The analytical age that we are in provides data as to players, not managers. As to what is going on in the clubhouse, to a certain extent, that can be inferred from my first criteria. Stop digging; you are not making any sense.

Marty34

Sure, but when a team gets blown out as often as this one does it has to do with a lack of talent.

FishSox

I’m sorry, but since you were arguing against the subjective, please offer evidence of this claim.

bruceleinen

I have been a suffering Sox fan since the late 1950’s, and have had it with this team. If I was the owner, I would make the following changes:
1. Fire Hahn
2. Hire Hawk Harrelson for 1 day to fire LaRussa.
3. Name Chris Getz as the new G. M. or hire John Daniels on an interim basis.
4. The new G.M. must hire Pierzynki (1st choice), Guillen (2nd. choice-under the proviso that none of his sons can have any involvement with the team.
5. The new G.M. will have a payroll of $200 million and must keep Cease, Kopech, Cueto, Hendricks, Vaughn, Roberts, Oscar Colas, C. Montgomery, the lefty reliever with Tommy John surgery, and J. Burgher if he can be turned into a 2nd. baseman.
Talk Herm Schneider out of retirement.
6. The new manager can get rid of any coach except Katz.
7. Vaughn & Abreau switch between 1st. base and DH – no Grandal.
8. Engel and Sheets are the right fielders.
9. Eloy must be traded.

roke1960

Most of those are good. I just think this team needs a complete break from hiring ex-Sox people. I want an entirely new organization with a young up and coming GM from the Rays/Dodgers or other successful organization. We need to get rid of all the stench which is associated with this current regime.

charlie

Agree about AJ not Eloy.

NancyFaustsOrgan

I’m not going to stop repeating this: this organization and its fans need to recognize there are other people qualified to lead this team beyond former-White Sox coaches and players.

FishSox

I don’t think that goes far enough. The pool of people that comprise former Sox coaches and players can be far eclipsed by the pool of talent available to manage from outside the organization.

GrinnellSteve

My strategy for dealing with this team:

If there’s a compelling reason to turn on the game in the top of the first (Cease/Verlander, the Elvis era, a 5-game winning streak, whatever) I do. If things go south or are simply slow-paced or boring, I switch to Netflix. If there’s virtually no chance of me coming back to the game, I might watch a movie. If I think I might want to watch the last 3 innings, I watch a TV show. Then I check the game and decide if I should watch it or another show.

If I don’t have a good reason to start the game, I watch a show first and then see where things stand.

In stark contrast, at the start of the year I was planning my entire evening around the Sox and watching almost every inning.

I’m a Sox fan through and through. I will continue to pay attention, but I’m not going to invest the time unless they give me legitimate reasons to do so. And it’s not all tied to winning. I want to see effort. I want to see adjustments. I want to see a team committed to trying to win championships. The Renteria years were better than this. Those teams were moving toward something. I don’t know what this team is doing.

Last edited 1 year ago by GrinnellSteve
roke1960

Very well stated, Steve. My sentiments exactly. I have stopped watching in the middle of the game more this year than at any time I can remember.

GrinnellSteve

So I posted a lengthy comment and then edited it to clear up a couple of spacing issues. When I saved it, the post was gone and a note in its place saying, “Waiting for approval: Spam.” Then I edited it again, wondering if I had done something wrong. This time the comment disappeared completely.

Strange.

roke1960

I saw your post before it was edited. I was about to agree wholeheartedly and then it disappeared. Maybe Jerry has some computer hacks monitoring the site!

Augusto Barojas

LOL Maybe Jerry has minions monitoring and trying to censor public opinion. I know that during the rebroadcast of a game where Stone criticized La Russa during the live version, the part of the game where the criticism took place was edited out/censored. Jerry is a deceitful, manipulative lowlife as far as I am concerned.

FishSox

If true, that is truly lowlife kowtowing to narcissisms.

GrinnellSteve

I hope an admin can resurrect it. I’m too slow a one-handed typist since my stroke to bother trying to compose those thoughts again.

Oh well.

GrinnellSteve

I have this image of you fishing the ripped up pieces of my comment out of Trump’s toilet.

Thanks, Jim!

funkerdan

This game was so bad that I have a text to my sister acknowledging that we lost however, I couldn’t remember this morning if I watched it to completion. Watched the condensed and didn’t remember any of Clevelands runs. More Murphy’s law in Cleveland for us, except not for us. Welp, see you at tonight’s game! Cleveland fan asked me if I got grief for wearing my Sox jersey, I said not yet, I think you guys feel bad for us, the Russa. (Does that auto correct for everyone else to Russia?)

HallofFrank

Robert and Eloy are both in the lineup, so there’s a tiny dose of good news. They need the next two games—go get them!

Foulkelore

Yeah, I thought Eloy would be out for sure with a higher possibility of both Robert and Eloy being out than either playing today. This is good news.