The MLB playoffs are the best time of the year, because every story of dominance and triumph, every celebrating fanbase, is humbled. Emphatically and publicly in emotionally traumatizing fashion, their dreams are crushed, and they must once again revert to the cautious cynicism and doubt that guides the day-to-day existence of fandom, and we can all watch as their return from their deluded perch.
Read MoreChris Sale chugs ever closer toward one of the most statistically jaw-dropping seasons in White Sox, and hell, pitching history, and simultaneously slogs through the most disappointing campaigns of his brilliant career.
Read MoreHeading into the 2015 regular season, it seems that most every American League team fancies themselves as a contender. As I’ve talked about earlier, this center-heavy distribution of talent should have interesting implications on the playoff race. This post is not about that. This post is me being a mean person who sees the flaws in everything. This post is about how every team in the American League will finish below .500, mathematical impossibilities be damned*.
Read MoreThere are two extreme poles at work here. One is this extreme outlay of money (Reportedly over $40whatever, not mine) and years of commitment for a reliever, even super-high leverage reliever. The other pole is how utterly hopeless the Sox were looking for a strikeout at the end of games last season, and their lack of immediate options to fix that problems:
Read MoreWhile Rick Hahn has made it clear he's not eager to part with shortstop Alexei Ramirez, speculation persist, as recently the Los Angeles Dodgers joined the New York Yankees and New York Mets as a team rumored to have interest in acquiring the shortstop who has been a stalwart for the Sox for the last seven seasons.
Read MoreIn a day of trade news about guys who were better a couple of years ago, Jon Heyman reported that the Yankees and White Sox have had early conversations about trading John Danks. J-O-H-N D-A-N-K-S.
Read MoreThe White Sox made a strong showing on July 2, the opening of the international signing period. They announced four signings off the bat, including two prospects in the MLB Top 30. Considering some of their past and still pretty recent performances, this deserves an approving pat on the head.
But it pales in comparison to the Yankees, who by gathered reports (h/t River Ave. Blues) have already signed 12 high-profile prospects for a combined $14.5 million. Their haul includes Dermis Garcia--the No. 1 ranked international prospect according to MLB.com--and Nelson Gomez and Juan De Leon, the No. 2 prospects on MLB.com and Baseball America's lists, respectively. Both Garcia and Gomez have signed deals that are themselves in excess of the Yankes $2,193,100 bonus pool limit. They are in a position to receive the maximum penalty.
Read MoreAndre Rienzo has had worse starts than the outing he put together in Sunday's 7-1 loss to the Yankees, but the numbers might not necessarily show it.
Read MoreThe man to carry the Sox to this mystical lead against Masahiro Tanaka is Andre Rienzo, who seems to have flown under the radar. He's both been surprisingly bad to not be discussed: roughly a 1.5 K/BB ratio, six home runs in 36 innings, ~40% groundball rate while averaging under six innings per start. And he's been surprisingly successful: the White Sox have won all seven games he's appeared in. He's magic. He's Rick Helling. This game is a mortal lock because of his mere presence
Read MoreAdam Dunn's ninth-inning blast gave the White Sox their second straight win over the Yankees on Friday night and the team has won four of five overall to climb back to .500 once again. Saturday, the White Sox will look to climb above that mark for the first time since May 9 and it will take an improved effort from John Danks to do so in the 1:10 p.m. tilt at U.S. Cellular Field.
Read MoreIf someone had to show one clip of the Sox 6-5 win over the Yankees, they would undoubtedly go with Adam Dunn pulverizing an 0-2 fastball from David Robertson for a two-run walk-off home run. They'd show slow-mos of Dunn's swing, they'd flash to how Robertson threw both his arms up in frustration immediately after contact, and they would call it a night, and it would be fine. In terms of video, drama, and just win probability, this is the moment to highlight.
Read MoreStaying in the rotation for the foreseeable future is Hector Noesi. Seemingly the worst option available in major league baseball earlier this year, Noesi's has proven himself in four starts to at least be better than Scott Carroll. His 5.32 ERA with the Sox is even better than John Danks.
Read MoreLike many of you, I’ve spent the day taking down pictures, careful to not break the glass in the frames, blowing out candles, and folding sacramental cloth. The vigil is no longer needed. Our dark days have ended. Chris Sale Day is once again upon us. The time to rejoice is now.
Read MoreThe Catbird Seat is a White Sox blog by White Sox fans that focuses on intelligent and humorous baseball commentary. Brought to you by ESPN's SweetSpot Network.
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