Carlos Quentin Traded for Prospects

Earlier today, Carlos Quentin was traded to the San Diego Padres for two pitching prospects. This move is both good and bad for a few reasons.

This is a good move because Carlos Quentin or some other outfielder needed to go. Quentin was probably the only option because nobody in Major League Baseball wants Alex Rios and his contract on their team. This was really the only option and room needed to be made for Viciedo and De Aza to show what they have. There were too many outfielders with Quentin being there and Kenny thought that he could get what he wanted for Quentin.

This is a bad move because the two prospects aren't exactly top prospects. Neither has impressive stats that jump out. Scouts might say something else that stats don't, but by looking at stats they aren't impressive. Neither one has impressive ERA or WHIP stats. Maybe Kenny trusts the minor league pitching coaches to help these guys along, but right now they aren't impressive. This could be a bad move because the return for Quentin wasn't good enough.

In the end, this had to be done whether or not fans like it. There were too many outfielders and the Sox believe that Dayan Viciedo is the real deal. They are probably right about that. In order to see that, Quentin had to go.

White Sox win two in a row

One of the biggest problems for the White Sox this year was facing division opponents, especially the Twins. The White Sox have been terrible against the Twins, and downright awful at Target Field, the home of the Twins. That hasn't been the case so far in this series, though. The White Sox have won both of the games so far in this series. The first game was thanks to Carlos Quentin hitting two homeruns and having a 4 RBI night. The second game was just a great game played by the White Sox.

The first run was scored by timely hitting and the next run was scored by great base-running and speed. The other runs all came in the ninth including a 2 run homer from Brent Lillibridge, aka Thrillibridge.

Overall, I'm very happy with the way the White Sox ended their 6 game losing streak. They have won two games where they normally don't win and won them by playing good baseball.

I feel like the season is over.

I've tried to be optimistic about this season. I want to believe that the White Sox can pull of some miraculous comeback and actually win the division and maybe go somewhere in the playoffs. Right now, I just don't see that happening in even the wildest scenario.

This team was supposed to be good. The great starting pitching combined with the hitting that Rios, Dunn, Konerko, Beckham, and Quentin were supposed to provide was going to make them a genuine threat in the American League. Well three of those players that were supposed to supply offense have not. Sure, Beckham is great in the field and I love him to death, but he has been terrible at the plate. Dunn has not lived up to the expectations at all and Rios doesn't even care about the game. He jogs to pick up the ball and can't hit for nothing at the the plate.

The team hasn't lived up to the expectations and the season is basically over. I don't see this team pulling off a dramatic winning streak and winning the division. I can't see that happening with how awful the offense has been. I will still watch this team and I will still love them next year, but I can't continue to write positive things and say that everything is going to be okay.

The White Sox start a series against the Twins today. The Sox have been terrible against the Twins and will probably continue that in this series, but who knows maybe they'll manage to win a game or two against them.

Series Recap. White Sox lose 2/3 against Red Sox

This was not a great series for the White Sox. They got a good win in the first game thanks to AJ Pierzynski's homerun. The second game was so terrible that I don't even want to talk about it and the third game was okay, but they could have done much better.

Overall, I did not like what the White Sox did this series. I realize that it's only August 1st and that there is still a lot of time left. I just don't think the Sox have the will to win this division. They have the talent, but watching Rios play center I just don't see the desire to win.

The only guy I see with an actual desire to win games is Paul Konerko. He is busting his ass everyday to make this team a better team. He is taking pitches and getting hurt, yet still going to first base. That's why he is the captain of the team. Quentin has been stepping up lately, too. He hasn't been doing it to the same extent as Konerko has though. I want to see heart and desire and I want to see that they actually want to win. I haven't seen that lately. They all need a reality check so they get their butts in gear and start winning baseball games again.

Game Recap. White Sox win 3-1

Both Gavin Floyd and Tim Wakefield had good games. Through the first few innings, they were fanning down batters. Gavin made the first mistake in the third inning, giving up a home run to Jarrod Saltalamacchia but that would be his only big mistake of the game and the only run he would give up.

In the sixth, Juan Pierre laid down a bunt and reached first on that bunt. Omar Vizquel then sacrificed him over. Wakefield threw a wild pitch and Pierre advanced to third. Konerko hit a deep fly and that would tie the game.

In the next inning, Quentin was walked and then Pierzynski hit a home run that would win the game for the White Sox.

Santos got his 22nd save of the year. Even though he still isn't officially the closer, he kind of is. He'll probably have more than 30 saves this year, which is pretty good for a short stop.

Humber and Lester go at it tomorrow, which should be a good game. Both pitchers have been very good this season.

Series Preview. White Sox vs. Red Sox

The Red Sox head to Chicago to take on the White Sox this weekend. The Red Sox are the best team in the American League, but the White Sox are very succesful against Boston, especially at home. In the only series these two teams met, Chicago swept Boston in Boston.

The White Sox are 6-4 in their last 10 games. The Red Sox are 7-3 in their last 10. Both teams are relatively hot, which should make this a good series.




Game 1
Tim Wakefield (6-3 5.15 ERA) vs Gavin Floyd (8-9 4.11 ERA)

In his last three starts, Floyd has pitched well. He is 2-1 with a 3.79 ERA and 13 Ks. Hopefully he continues to do well.

Wakefield's last three starts aren't bad. He is 2-0 with a 6.50 ERA and 14 Ks. The last time the Sox faced Wakefield they hit well, hopefully the Sox can continue that.

The pitching has been the only reason the Sox have been winning this past week. There's no guarantee that Gavin will pitch well again. The offense needs to step it up in this series. There are Quentin trade talks, but hopefully he stays in Chicago and helps the White Sox win this series.

Game 2
Jon Lester (10-4 3.23 ERA) vs Philip Humber (8-6 3.27 ERA)

Humber hasn't been good lately. In his last three starts he is 1-2 with a 5.51 ERA and 14 Ks.

In Lester's last three starts he is 1-0 with a 0.55 ERA and 16 Ks. Hopefully he doesn't continue to dominate and the Sox offense hits him hard.

This game will be a pitching duel for sure. Humber hasn't been good since the All-Star break, but I think he ends that this weekend. Lester has been good lately and will probably continue the domination especially because the White Sox offense isn't very good. Hopefully the White Sox offense comes out on top of this pitching duel.

Game 3
Andrew Miller (4-1 5.45 ERA) vs Mark Buehrle (8-5 3.22 ERA)

Mark Buehrle's last start was classic Buehrle and hopefully that rolls over into this game. In his last three starts he is 2-0 with a 0.86 ERA and 15 Ks. I would love to see the ace continue pitching this way.

Andrew Miller is 1-1 in his last three starts with a 9.00 ERA and 4 Ks. Not good at all and hopefully this an easy game for the White Sox to win.

If Buehrle continues to pitch well and the White Sox offense is able to take advantage of the bad pitcher, they have a good chance to win this game and possibly win the series.

Overall, looking at the pitching match-ups and knowing how good Chicago is against Boston I think the White Sox will win this series. Hopefully Detroit and Cleveland continue to lose and the Sox gain ground in the division this weekend.