Garland's last 6 starts
43.7 IP, 25 Ks, 1.44 ERA, 0.98 WHIP
The Count's last 3 starts
21 IP, 23 Ks, 1.71 ERA, 1.00 WHIP
Fifth Inning Javy's last 3 starts
26.7 IP, 24 Ks, 2.36 ERA, 1.01 WHIP
First Inning Freddy's last 2 starts
14.1 IP, 11 Ks, 1.28 ERA, 0.78 WHIP
Buehrle's last 4 starts
24.3 IP, 13 Ks, 4.07 ERA, 1.60 WHIP (ugh)
Vazquez's and Contreras' showings are particularly encouraging. Yet, despite the resurgence of the starters, Sox are only 11-8 in this span, including 0-3 for Vazquez starts. Buehrle still sucks, but at least he's league average.
Sox continue to sputter, however. The negatives:- Sox still have to face Oakland, Detroit, Seattle and Minnesota, by far the most difficult stretch left out of the 3 Central leaders. (Detroit faces Bal, the Sox, KC twice and Tor, while Minny gets Cle, a depleted Boston, Bal, KC, and the Sox.)
- Ozzie keeps doing stupid things out of arrogance or loyal machismo, like continuing to waste leadoff ABs for Podsednik, despite the fact that Scotty refuses to even *run* well, let alone, hit, field, bunt, etc. He needs to hit 9th, and start packing his bags, thanks for 2005, cuz he won't be here next year.
- Ozzie keeps using Jenks despite Bubba giving up runs in his last 4 outings (2 blown saves and a loss). He's hurt and his velocity's down, and Ozzie keeps rolling him out there. Part of it is not having a reliable reliever outside of Thornton, but when every win is precious, call me crazy, you don't go with your injured closer.
- Ozzie also keeps trotting out Rob Mackowiak's carcass out in CF, despite Brian Anderson hitting like a real major leaguer since the AS break. He even has new hotness Ryan Sweeney who can play center, but he gets no use, cuz apparently Ozzie is willing to sacrifice wins for getting Rob regular ABs. Sweeney's played CF and LF throughout his professional career. Mackowiak never played center until this year. I need to go lie down.
- Sick of Sox hitters flailing away early in the count, Pierzynski and Uribe being the worst culprits. Maybe they're buying into the fact that the Sox can't seem to score unless they hit home runs.
However, circumstances are setting up for the Sox to make a run, ever since Black Jack McDowell has brought good mojo by sitting in for Hawk on the TV call on Saturday (9/9).
- Minnesota got Liriano back, but looks like they've lost him to injury in his first start back.
- Detroit 's won 3 out of their last 10, and got a particularly good thrashing by the Twins.
- Sox have taken 2 of 3 so far on the dreaded West Coast Roadtrip (TM), including a one-hitter from Hash Pipe Freddy.
