Danks tries to keep it rolling - Lineups & Preview 6/4

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John Danks is on something like a roll. He's sopped up 15 innings in his last two starts, allowing just two runs while striking out eight over a single walk. Opponents hit .200/.228/.327 against him in those outings, in contrast to the .864 OPS opponents have on him for the month. To prove it's still him, the Sox lost both games.

This is the equivalent of threading on the first try twice in a row. It's impressive and worthy of praise, but doesn't suddenly change the practice into a high-percentage activity. Danks is still going to be challenged to get through the Dodgers lineup because his margin for error is slim. Appropriately, Gabe Kapler put out this scribbled, sideways-posted note on Danks today:

In sum, Danks needs to be precise coming inside, because he can no longer surprise and overwhelm hitters naturally. He can come across stretches of precision like the past two games, but is not built to operate that way. It's an adjustment, and the Sox are going to continue to give Danks the opportunity to make it, even if the odds are against him. Which they are

White Sox Lineup:                                                            

  1. Adam Eaton – CF

  2. Gordon Beckham – 2B

  3. Jose Abreu -- 1B

  4. Adam Dunn – LF

  5. Alexei Ramirez -- SS

  6. Alejandro De Aza -- RF

  7. Tyler Flowers -- C

  8. Leury Garcia -- 3B

  9. John Danks -- P

Jose Abreu has homered twice in the first two games since he's returned, and even added sinking line-drive single, so his OBP has actually increased to .315. He's currently on a streak of 52 plate appearances without a walk, a span of 13 games. In that time, he's slugged .647.

Maybe his plate appearance just can't be critiqued. He's gonna flail and wave, and clock dingers, and we just get to enjoy that and ignore what he does in between.

Leury Garcia is hitting .217/.265/.283 in limited time. Alejandro De Aza is .173/.246/.279 in full-time, and his movements appeared to be controlled by powerful magnets located in a plane doing figure 8's over the park. Something to think about.

Los Angeles Dodgers Lineup:

  1. Dee Gordon – 2B

  2. Yasiel Puig – RF

  3. Hanley Ramirez – SS

  4. Adrian Gonzalez – 1B

  5. Matt Kemp -- LF

  6. Scott Van Slyke -- CF

  7. Justin Turner – 3B

  8. Drew Butera – C

  9. Josh Beckett -- P

When healthy, Josh Beckett can miss bats, eat innings, and kill hours. The Sox won't be catching him immediately after his no-hitter, but the 34-year-old seems to be relatively healthy now, and capable of doing a good impression of his old self on the mound. This game will end on Thursday.

Where to Watch: Today’s game will be broadcast on CSN and Sports Net LA.  9:10 p.m. Central start time.

 

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