Random Thoughts 2.1

[Lake Shore Drive]

Did you ever think you would see this?

White Sox Most Popular World Series Bet In Baseball

DraftKings Sportsbook has reported that more than one-quarter of the World Series Champion Futures for the 2021 MLB season has been placed on the White Sox.

www.sportsmockery.com

The times they are a-changin'.

 

[idseer]

If I sang it, it would come across like the male version of Rosanne Barr's rendition. Remember that one?

and even that wouldn't be as bad as this:

 

[Mingo]

Did you ever think you would see this?

White Sox Most Popular World Series Bet In Baseball

DraftKings Sportsbook has reported that more than one-quarter of the World Series Champion Futures for the 2021 MLB season has been placed on the White Sox.

www.sportsmockery.com

The times they are a-changin'.

It is interesting that the old predictive models have the White Sox at 83/84 wins and the Vegas guys have the Sox over/under number at 90.5. I tend to the over - so I'm snorting the Kool Aid out of the packet.

 

[idseer]

It is interesting that the old predictive models have the White Sox at 83/84 wins and the Vegas guys have the Sox over/under number at 90.5. I tend to the over - so I'm snorting the Kool Aid out of the packet.

gotta admit that my expectations are sky high as well. it scares me because i've felt this way before and not once have my expectations been really fulfilled. (i had no such expectation in '05)

 

[Mingo]

gotta admit that my expectations are sky high as well. it scares me because i've felt this way before and not once have my expectations been really fulfilled. (i had no such expectation in '05)

Copy that - my friend.

Here is my White Sox drill over the years:

1) Optimistic in spring training - even though the Sox historically have lost more than they won in ST.
2) Early Season rationalizations - It's too cold - needs to warm up - injuries have gone against us - the umps suck.
3) Mid- season denial - If they could just get to 500 baseball then get a win streak (like in 83)
4) Denial con't - until mathematically out of contention
5) September call ups - guys who will become stars and turn the White Sox ship around.
6) Off season - fall for all the front office BS and fluffing around roster changes.

Start over......

 

[Jiddy]

Really would have been nice if this team got at least one round further in the playoffs to REALLY feel the buzz pressure when a Chicago team has a shot. Put 'em to the test. That will be this year, though.

Who's starting the magic number thread?

 

[Mingo]

I'm still looking for one unhappy White Sox player, Manager, Coach or front office guy - there always some one right?

 

[Lake Shore Drive]

Looking pretty solid that most, if not all the MLB ballparks will be open to limited attendance on opening day:

Baseball fans return for 2021 MLB season: Every team's Opening Day plan for in-person attendance

MLB regular season games in 2020 did not have fans in the stands due to the COVID-19 pandemic

www.cbssports.com

There are a number of cities in a still-to-be-determined status, but so far, only the Nationals are a definite no-go, and even that might even change at some point down the road. For the Sox and Cubs, it's ranked as Likely Yes:

Chicago Mayor Lori "Beetlejuice" Lightfoot said that both the Cubs and White Sox will be able to host fans for the 2021 regular season, but she did not provide further details or offer a timeline on when. The city and teams will announce more details at a later date, Beetlejuice added.

 

[Mingo]

Today I'm thinking Lance Lynn is the new Honey Badger. The Giants loaded up on lefties for him to face- he faced 7 batters in 2 innings 5 of them lefties. After the game he was asked what did he think about having to face all those lefties? Lynn's response: "I don't care whose in the box."

 

[Jiddy]

Can I just post 162 now because #hype?

 

[Lake Shore Drive]

Lucroy seems to have joined the Everyone-Wowed-by-Cease contingent:

Dylan Cease wows Jonathan Lucroy with 'devastating' stuff

Jonathan Lucroy called Dylan Cease's stuff "devastating." He called Lucas Giolito and Lance Lynn "consummate professionals." And he's got a message for White Sox fans, too.

www.nbcsports.com

Now if Dylan can just put it together when it matters, we might have our bonified #4 starter. And I'm beginning to think that it will be a shocker if Lucroy doesn't win the job as backup catcher.

 

[idseer]

Lucroy seems to have joined the Everyone-Wowed-by-Cease contingent:

Dylan Cease wows Jonathan Lucroy with 'devastating' stuff

Jonathan Lucroy called Dylan Cease's stuff "devastating." He called Lucas Giolito and Lance Lynn "consummate professionals." And he's got a message for White Sox fans, too.

www.nbcsports.com

Now if Dylan can just put it together when it matters, we might have our bonified #4 starter. And I'm beginning to think that it will be a shocker if Lucroy doesn't win the job as backup catcher.

i'll start believing in cease when he starts to show it .... not before.

 

[Lake Shore Drive]

i'll start believing in cease when he starts to show it .... not before.

I think that's the universal opinion on him at the present.

 

[idseer]

I think that's the universal opinion on him at the present.

ahhhh so i am one with the universe.

 

[Lake Shore Drive]

ahhhh so i am one with the universe.

Not just you, but Blind Melon Chitlin' as well!!

 

[idseer]

Not just you, but Blind Melon Chitlin' as well!!

not so sure going downtown to show his girl his dingdong makes him one with the universe :P

 

[Mingo]

ahhhh so i am one with the universe.

Not surprising when I think about it.

 

[Mingo]

Maybe it is happy talk, but the White Sox seem to think they have 4 MLB catchers for a roster that is only going to use two of them. They may be fluffing the pedigree at catcher to gin up some trade talk. Stay tuned.

 

[Lake Shore Drive]

Maybe it is happy talk, but the White Sox seem to think they have 4 MLB catchers for a roster that is only going to use two of them. They may be fluffing the pedigree at catcher to gin up some trade talk. Stay tuned.

It does seem that all 4 (Lucroy, Collins, Mercedes, Zavala) are playing decently so far, either with the bat or glove, and I still wonder if the Sox, despite what they're saying, will go with 3 catchers when camp breaks, or at least 2, with an extra being a swing man (ie, DH/1B/OF type). Like you said, stay tuned.

 

[Jiddy]

Maybe it is happy talk, but the White Sox seem to think they have 4 MLB catchers for a roster that is only going to use two of them. They may be fluffing the pedigree at catcher to gin up some trade talk. Stay tuned.

Trade won't happen until midseason if/when the "oh, maybe everything isn't perfect and we need to do (xyz) to get over the top" reality hits.

 

[Mingo]

I've noticed over the years that "convention wisdom" on baseball is rarely correct. If conventional wisdom was always correct - it would be so boring. Which brings me to my "opposite of conventional wisdom" thought. Rey Lopez will be the big gainer in the White Sox starting rotation. If for no other reason than - he is about the opposite of conventional wisdom as you can get with the 2021 White Sox.