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Originally posted by Thrillhouse
How the white sox keep winning with hardly any hitting is beyond me but I'll take it.
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It's not just the hitting - their pitching ratios are beyond bizarre. Outside of Buerhle, they've walked as many as they've struck out. It looks like they're getting some bounces - you're right though, no offense at all on this squad past Konerko. They'll need to make some moves, or have the ghost of Joe Crede take flight. With a strong bullpen to draw from, plus some 'blocked' prospects, they may just be able to draw off some solid players . . . for instance, the Red Sox will probably move Kevin Youkilis for right-handed relief help if Mantei and Blaine Neal don't work out. That would be a coup for the pale hose.
Also, da meat hook may have given Ozzie Guillen some bulletin board material - I don't think it'll matter, because Guillen is already a rah-rah guy (and pretty bad in-game, i might add), but who knows.
Quote:
Originally posted by Thrillhouse
Are the dodgers for real?
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Probably, but not in the way you're thinking - their offense actually should stay this good for the season, or possibly better if they get any sort of contribution from JD Drew and Jayson Werth. Their pitching is on eggshells, though - anyone who expects even 10 mediocre starts from Scott Erickson is fooling themselves. By that time, though, Brad Penny should be back, which will be a HUGE boost to the rotation. Their bullpen, however, is doing it with smoke and mirrors. Brazoban and Carrera are the only real major-leaguers on the backside, and they need Gagne back ASAP - it appears his elbow issues are a lingering result of changing his mechanics when he hurt his knee, so obviously the Dodgers are treating him with kid gloves. It'll be interesting to see how aggressive the timetable for return winds up becoming.
Regardless, the West is not shaping up to be inordinately strong - the Pads look good, very good actually, but with a marginal bullpen and some dubious lineup spots, it's a lot to ask for them to keep this up. Plus, any regression by Adam Eaton, or need to rely on Darrell May for a long time, will result in another .500 season for the Friars. If they wise up and boot Burroughs, playing Nady at 3b, they might make more noise, however - past them though, weak division.