When, in the course of human events, it becomes necessary for one fan base to dissolve the contractual bands which have connected them with their bullpen, and to assume, among the powers of baseball, the separate and equal station to which the laws of nature and of nature’s commissioner entitle them — first place in the AL Central, in this case — a decent respect to the opinions of Sox Fandom requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to the separation.
Thomas Jefferson was enough
of a contrarian at heart that I could plausibly see him being a White Sox fan. I imagine that’s how he might have chosen to frame the complaint that’s being directed as a chorus to GM Chris Getz and the front office brain trust by much of the fanbase at the moment.
This is a good team, that could really make the playoffs. It seems to say. And their bullpen STINKS! Fix it NOW!
We’re far enough along now that we don’t have to pretend that Seranthony Domínguez is a good high-leverage addition to tout. We don’t have to pretend that another year with a league-worst bullpen is acceptable because it’s the last part of a rebuild you worry about. The last two days’ worth of extra-inning losses seem to have all but fractured any trust that was left between Sox fans, analysts, and the current group of relievers churning through their bullpen.
Holding down dedicated, continuous spots for replacement-level veterans like Trevor Richards and Chris Murphy while six kids who could actually have a real future in this bullpen play musical chairs with the last two seats in the bullpen? Not going to cut it for a team that’s locked in a battle for a division more than halfway through the year.
There are better relievers out there. The Sox simply need to go and find them. That’s a truth that I’d like to think is self-evident.
Sean Burke is going to try and make sure it won’t be necessary. He’s been on a mini-tear as of late, throwing 19 innings of four-run ball with a sterling 22-5 strikeout-to-walk ratio over his last three starts. He’ll also need to play stopper today against a Cleveland “A” lineup that’ll be out for blood.
The lineup that Will Venable responds with demonstrates again the offensive part of the roster’s biggest weakness, an inability to consistently field competitive lineups against certain kinds of lefties. Messick shut the Sox down for 7 2/3 innings the last time he saw them, we can only hope the Good Guys will have some adjustments this time around.
First pitch is scheduled for 6:10 p.m. CT at Progressive Field in downtown Cleveland. If you want to join us, broadcasts are available on CHSN (TV) and WMVP AM 1000 (radio), like always!
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