The Chicago White Sox, under the leadership of first time manager Ozzie Guillen, made a dramatic turnaround in the 2005 season, and won their 3rd World Series title. Behind some stellar pitching from a starting 5 rotation any team would be jealous of, they made quick work of the Houston Astros, who had made their first World Series appearance ever.
In 2006, their start is just as strong. With a 10-5 record, and contributions from newly acquired Jim Thome, the White Sox are setting their sights on a second World Series appearance in a row. Can Ozzie Guillen lead them to the promised land again?
The White Soxs have shown that they can turn a great team into an aweful season. When they had the likes of Frank Thomas they found a way to be less than productive. However, with a new manager, I am anxious to see what they can do. Their pitching staff is "ok" at its best, but Jim Thome is a proven power player. If they can get over the hump and finish strong towards the end of the season, they have the chance to be great. Their pitching staff has squeaked by but shown flashes of greatness if not inconsistency. Time will tell what this team is made up of.
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can turn a great team into an aweful season |
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Their pitching staff is "ok" at its best, |
You know, I watch them play and I see their staff pitching. THey pitch good games, but I don't get that feeling of pitching dominance. I do think they have an "anything it takes" attitude. Point in case, they were down in the ninth and pounded out a homer to tie the game. Pitching wasn't great, and hitting wasn't fabulous till the end, but they found a way to go into extra innings. They ultimately lost, but they put up a fight and gumption that I don't see to much of, especially in my team.
One game really doesn't give you a sense of what the pitching staff is capable of, in my opinion. Let's take a look at the team pitching stats for the year to-date.
20 wins - 17 of them coming from the starters
4.04 ERA which is 5th in the league
Only 8 losses, lowest in the league
Their 146 strikeouts actually put them at the bottom of the pile, but I believe the quality starts they are receiving is worth much more than the number of strikeouts. Strikeouts in my opinion, are overrated. The Sox are ranked as the #1 team in all of baseball at this point. I don't disagree with that at all.
I completely agree. I have been watching them more on WGN and am really starting to like them. I am more impressed with every game as they find ways to get wins. When their pitching staff comes out, they don't dominate the field like some pitchers, but every starter is solid. They don't have a real weakness on the team. I haven't seen a team yet that is their equal. Even when they have lost, it was because they played below par for them, and not because the other team really out played them. I am reluctantly having to change my opinion of this team. I can't remember the last time the Sox had a team this good.
Well, I guess the White Sox team isn't invincible! Starting pitcher Jose Contreras was placed on the 15-day DL with a pinched nerve in his leg. He should be back in time to play cross-town rival Chicago Cubs which starts next Friday. Right now the Sox are being shut out by the Minnesota Twins, and Detroit is still an ear-shot from taking over first place in the AL Central.