Friday, July 07, 2006
OTHER SOX
The Other Sox haven't changed their formula for success much - five solid to good starters, great glove work and hitting the long ball. The very risky deal getting Jim Thome has paid off and made the offense less dependent on the stolen base. Thome is the same hitter now that he was pre-injury and Jermaine Dye found the fountain of youth. The pair has been a major part in moving this lineup into a power-patient run scoring machine. This is a good offense, but it likely won't continue on this pace with Joe Crede and A.J. P. hitting over their heads.
It will only be controlled if the Sox control the strike zone. The team that owns the strike zone wins this series. The Sox pitchers have to hit the black, get ahead in the count, and keep the ball out of the stands to win this weekend because the Sox will rock Buehrle and Freddy.
***
It is disappointing to see Jeff Weaver sent to the Cards. Even though Weaver has sucked with LAA and the rumor was he couldn't take the pressure in New York, he still would have been a nice option for the Sox fifth spot given the alternative(s). And if you are a DIPS believer, Weaver hasn't pitched as poorly as his ERA. He is at the AL avg in K/9 and is more than one BB less than the AL avg. Weaver's weak spot has been giving up the long ball at a rate of 1.8 over nine versus an average of 1.2. Hey, two out of three ain't bad.
The Other Sox haven't changed their formula for success much - five solid to good starters, great glove work and hitting the long ball. The very risky deal getting Jim Thome has paid off and made the offense less dependent on the stolen base. Thome is the same hitter now that he was pre-injury and Jermaine Dye found the fountain of youth. The pair has been a major part in moving this lineup into a power-patient run scoring machine. This is a good offense, but it likely won't continue on this pace with Joe Crede and A.J. P. hitting over their heads.
It will only be controlled if the Sox control the strike zone. The team that owns the strike zone wins this series. The Sox pitchers have to hit the black, get ahead in the count, and keep the ball out of the stands to win this weekend because the Sox will rock Buehrle and Freddy.
***
It is disappointing to see Jeff Weaver sent to the Cards. Even though Weaver has sucked with LAA and the rumor was he couldn't take the pressure in New York, he still would have been a nice option for the Sox fifth spot given the alternative(s). And if you are a DIPS believer, Weaver hasn't pitched as poorly as his ERA. He is at the AL avg in K/9 and is more than one BB less than the AL avg. Weaver's weak spot has been giving up the long ball at a rate of 1.8 over nine versus an average of 1.2. Hey, two out of three ain't bad.
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