Best. Movie. Ever.
An interesting weekend for the White Sox. I can't help but think that baseball played in sub-freezing temperatures is a ridiculous concept.
FRIDAY- TWINS AT SOX PPD BUTT-ASS COLD
Unfortunately, this game ensured that the Sox did not get to see Sidney Ponson attempt to pitch in some very un-Aruban like temperatures. The Twins hope that somehow they can get every game Ponson is scheduled to start this year postponed, to be made up at some point where they have a better alternative to take the bump.
SATURDAY- SOX 3, TWINS 0
Let me tell you something about Javier Vazquez. He's a riddle wrapped in an enigma wrapped in a question mark wrapped in a black jersey, but when he is on he is the best starter the Sox have, and maybe the second best in the division behind Johan Santana. It didn't hurt that hitting the ball in this game must have felt like hitting a 16 lb. Black Beauty. The Twins had a "We're playing this game? You've got to be shitting me", type of vibe this whole game as they struggled to reconcile playing in 30 degree temperatures against the dome conditions they played their first series in, and the White Sox were able to win the game they had to have in the non-Santana game of this series.
SUNDAY- TWINS 3, SOX 1
Next time the Sox face Santana, Ozzie Guillen should hand the ump a lineup card that reads:
1. WE
2. FORFEIT
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
I would rather he do that then sit thru another grotesque charade like today's game.
On the plus side, John Danks looked real good in his first MLB start. I pretty much resigned myself to this being the best-case scenario for this game, a nice start for Danks in a losing effort, so I'm not too upset.
LOOKING AHEAD
AT OAKLAND (3-4) 3 games
The Sox open a 3 game set in Oakland tomorrow night when Jose Contreras tries to be less horrible, and beat the A's Rich Harden, who threw 7 scoreless innings in his 07 debut against the Mariners. That game is probably a loss.
Games 2 and 3 are winnable though. Jon Garland and Mark Buehrle are scheduled to pitch Tuesday and Wednesday against Devil Ray castoffs Chad Gaudin and Joe Kennedy. If the Sox continue to play well, as I feel they have for most of Week 1 despite the 2-3 record, I think they should come out of the much-dreaded Oakland series with 2 wins. If not, they should at least be able to avoid a sweep and get out of Oakland with a not good but not disastrous 3-5 record.
A'S WHOS HOT
- New DH Mike Piazza had a good first week in the American League. He went 8 for 24 and hit a solo home run. OFs Milton Bradley and Nick Swisher also had nice weeks. Kennedy and Gaudin both had strong first outings.
A'S WHOS NOT
- The bullpen. Relievers Kiko Calero and Jay Witasick are both off to Contreras-esque starts.
After that, it's on to Cleveland for an important 3 games, and if this week's series is any indication (a pair of 1 run games), it should be tight.
AL CENTRAL ROUNDUP
TWINS 4-1
The patchwork rotation survived one trip thru. They start this week with 3 at home against the Yankees though, and the pitching matchups don't look good for them. They have 4 at home with the D-Rays next weekend though, who finished last year losing 33 of 36 road games.
NYY 3, TB 4
INDIANS 2-1
Their WHOLE series against the Mariners was wiped out. They now have 8 games in 7 days scheduled this week, so the Sox catching them at the tail end of that stretch is a good thing.
SEA 2, LAA 3, SOX 3
TIGERS 3-2
Won a couple of nip and tuck games in KC this weekend after dropping the opener. 3-0 in one run games this week, but they certainly looked vulnerable. Bullpen is looking shaky to me outside of Zumaya as Fernando Rodney, Jose Mesa, and Jason Grilli all had ghastly weeks.
AT BAL 3, AT TOR 4
ROYALS 2-4
Have scored 2 runs or less in 3 of their last 5, negating some unexpectedly strong pitching.
NEXT WEEK- AT TOR 3, AT BAL 4
This Weeks Standings
TWINS 4-1
INDIANS 2-1
TIGERS 3-2
SOX 2-3
ROYALS 2-4
Predicted Standings Next Week
TWINS 8-4
TIGERS 7-5
SOX 5-6
INDIANS 5-6
ROYALS 5-8
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