On the Series' against the Braves and Cubs and the up and coming series against Kansas City: It's been an excellent week for the White Sox. With a sweep of the NL East Leanding Atlanta Braves and with an excellent series against the cross-town rivals, the White Sox where able to go on an 11 game winning streak; the first since 1961 which solidifies them as a major threat in the American League. Yesterday they began a series against division rival Kansas City, who took the first game of a 3 game set. I will say that the pitching was brilliant against both Atlanta and the Cubs and the offense is really coming around. The reason I believe the SOX are finally coming around is because they are patient. They are finally having some fun. Paul Konerko put it simply: "There were times where you would just enter the clubhouse and it just wasn't fun! Now it is. All the guys, including me, are relaxed and hitting the ball and that's what you like to see". That's all it takes to win ball games. As long as you are calm and having fun, you are capable of anything and this team is a good example of what I am saying. Ignore the pressure, be calm, and have fun.
On the Pitching: The pitching was excellent this week. This is the pitching staff I've been waiting to see all year. Mark, Gavin, Jake, John, and Freddy all showed the city of Chicago why they still Believe in the White Sox. But let's not forget about that bullpen either, especially Santos, Thornton, and Jenks. If the White Sox can manage to keep all 3 healthy and pitch them in exact order (Santos, Thornton, and Jenks), then I can't see anyone disowning them. Granted Jenks is still a little shaky but he has proven that he can get the job done, as he has done in the past.
On the Offense: Finally the offense has come around! That was one of the keys the White Sox needed to focus on during that slump. How can they generate hits and keep the offense intact? Like I said before, As long as the team is calm, ignoring the pressure, and having fun, they are capable of doing anything. And this offense has certainly shown us that. The hottest player on the offensive side of the plate has been Carlos Quentin. Doesn't seem like he is bothered by that plantar fascittis injury right now. Although he is batting .233, he does have 13 HRs and 49 RBI and is generating key hits that have put the SOX in position to win ball games. Paul Konerko is another guy that has come up big. If he is not in the All star game this year, all will not be well in my house I can tell you that. And then there is Juan Pierre who is finally understanding what it means to be a lead off hitter. GET ON BASE and that is exactly what he is doing so far and he could be a threat in the future for the White Sox.
On Baby Zambrano's Meltdown: It's about time the Cub's acted on this guy. He is going to end up killing someone in the future. I watched his meltdown on TV. My father was at the game and got a good look at the mood in the Cubs' dugout. I praise Derrick Lee for confronting Zambrano and acting like the true captain he is. The funny thing is after Zambrano got suspended, he went to dinner with Ozzie the same night. The Cubs were so mad at Zambrano after that. From my view, I think what Zambrano did was right. The dinner was already planned ahead of time and Ozzie and Carlos are good friends off the diamond. You can't tell Zambrano what to do, especially if you suspended him without pay. If you suspended him with pay, then what Zambrano did on Friday night would have been wrong. I commend Ozzie for telling Carlos to be a man, apologize and move on. No one wants a $90 million contract in the middle of the year so the Cub's will have to keep him and hope to trade him at the end of the year. As long as he is not on the Southside in 2011, I'm all good. But i have a funny feeling he will be a southsider in 2011.
Conclusion: Expect great things from the White Sox here on out. They have found the rhythm they have been searching for all year. They are ignoring the pressure, remaining calm, and having fun and with all of that, they are capable of anything. Expect great things on the Southside of Chicago.
On the Pitching: The pitching was excellent this week. This is the pitching staff I've been waiting to see all year. Mark, Gavin, Jake, John, and Freddy all showed the city of Chicago why they still Believe in the White Sox. But let's not forget about that bullpen either, especially Santos, Thornton, and Jenks. If the White Sox can manage to keep all 3 healthy and pitch them in exact order (Santos, Thornton, and Jenks), then I can't see anyone disowning them. Granted Jenks is still a little shaky but he has proven that he can get the job done, as he has done in the past.
On the Offense: Finally the offense has come around! That was one of the keys the White Sox needed to focus on during that slump. How can they generate hits and keep the offense intact? Like I said before, As long as the team is calm, ignoring the pressure, and having fun, they are capable of doing anything. And this offense has certainly shown us that. The hottest player on the offensive side of the plate has been Carlos Quentin. Doesn't seem like he is bothered by that plantar fascittis injury right now. Although he is batting .233, he does have 13 HRs and 49 RBI and is generating key hits that have put the SOX in position to win ball games. Paul Konerko is another guy that has come up big. If he is not in the All star game this year, all will not be well in my house I can tell you that. And then there is Juan Pierre who is finally understanding what it means to be a lead off hitter. GET ON BASE and that is exactly what he is doing so far and he could be a threat in the future for the White Sox.
On Baby Zambrano's Meltdown: It's about time the Cub's acted on this guy. He is going to end up killing someone in the future. I watched his meltdown on TV. My father was at the game and got a good look at the mood in the Cubs' dugout. I praise Derrick Lee for confronting Zambrano and acting like the true captain he is. The funny thing is after Zambrano got suspended, he went to dinner with Ozzie the same night. The Cubs were so mad at Zambrano after that. From my view, I think what Zambrano did was right. The dinner was already planned ahead of time and Ozzie and Carlos are good friends off the diamond. You can't tell Zambrano what to do, especially if you suspended him without pay. If you suspended him with pay, then what Zambrano did on Friday night would have been wrong. I commend Ozzie for telling Carlos to be a man, apologize and move on. No one wants a $90 million contract in the middle of the year so the Cub's will have to keep him and hope to trade him at the end of the year. As long as he is not on the Southside in 2011, I'm all good. But i have a funny feeling he will be a southsider in 2011.
Conclusion: Expect great things from the White Sox here on out. They have found the rhythm they have been searching for all year. They are ignoring the pressure, remaining calm, and having fun and with all of that, they are capable of anything. Expect great things on the Southside of Chicago.
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