Flight #24
05-19-2005, 10:02 AM
Just a bit o' fodder for our good friends in the local/national media....
Myth #1: White Sox have been lucky to win as many games as they have because they don't get on base very well.
Truth: While this may have been true early on, over the past 30 days (i.e. excluding the first 2 weeks of the season), the Sox rank 4th in MLB with a .349 team OBP. I.e. they were horrendous early on and did win some lucky/well pitched games, but for the majority of the season, they've both pitched AND hit well. For good measure, they also rank 8th in MLB in runs over the past 30 days. And there's that Thomas guy coming back soon.
Myth #2: Jon Garland's pitching above his head, he's never shown the ability to perform like this.
Truth: Anyone who's watched Jon knows that he's shown flashes of this for 1-2 years now. His problem was the big inning, something that you overcome with concentration and maturity. Guess what - he's only 25, the age at which many mature. He entered the majors at age 20, so what might seem like "career-long mediocrity" is actually just learning on the job rather than in the minors. Bottom line: he's throwing strikes and working fast, kind of a RH Buehrle with better stuff.
Myth #3: Scott Podsednik's playing over his head and will regress to 2004 levels.
Truth: Most of the improvement in Scott's game is in his walk rate, which has increased from 8-9% of PAs to 14-15%. That's consistent with his renewed focus on getting on base. And walk rate is generally considered something that's relatively consistent, i.e. not subject to hot streaks. Even if he bats .250, that equates to a .390 OBP which is excellent, especially given his speed.
Myth #4: The Sox record is so good because they've primarily played bad teams.
Truth: The Sox are 15-5 against teams currently at .500 or better. They're 11-8 outside the division.
Myth #5: The Sox will choke in the 2d half like they always do.
Truth: Even in 2004, the team was rolling along pretty well until losing their top 2 hitters (who conincidentally took up about 30% of team salary). That's not a "choke", that's injuries. Choking left town with Sleepy Manuel. Unless you're predicting injuries for the team this year, there's little reason to believe they'll suddenly fall off the table.
Any more?
Myth #1: White Sox have been lucky to win as many games as they have because they don't get on base very well.
Truth: While this may have been true early on, over the past 30 days (i.e. excluding the first 2 weeks of the season), the Sox rank 4th in MLB with a .349 team OBP. I.e. they were horrendous early on and did win some lucky/well pitched games, but for the majority of the season, they've both pitched AND hit well. For good measure, they also rank 8th in MLB in runs over the past 30 days. And there's that Thomas guy coming back soon.
Myth #2: Jon Garland's pitching above his head, he's never shown the ability to perform like this.
Truth: Anyone who's watched Jon knows that he's shown flashes of this for 1-2 years now. His problem was the big inning, something that you overcome with concentration and maturity. Guess what - he's only 25, the age at which many mature. He entered the majors at age 20, so what might seem like "career-long mediocrity" is actually just learning on the job rather than in the minors. Bottom line: he's throwing strikes and working fast, kind of a RH Buehrle with better stuff.
Myth #3: Scott Podsednik's playing over his head and will regress to 2004 levels.
Truth: Most of the improvement in Scott's game is in his walk rate, which has increased from 8-9% of PAs to 14-15%. That's consistent with his renewed focus on getting on base. And walk rate is generally considered something that's relatively consistent, i.e. not subject to hot streaks. Even if he bats .250, that equates to a .390 OBP which is excellent, especially given his speed.
Myth #4: The Sox record is so good because they've primarily played bad teams.
Truth: The Sox are 15-5 against teams currently at .500 or better. They're 11-8 outside the division.
Myth #5: The Sox will choke in the 2d half like they always do.
Truth: Even in 2004, the team was rolling along pretty well until losing their top 2 hitters (who conincidentally took up about 30% of team salary). That's not a "choke", that's injuries. Choking left town with Sleepy Manuel. Unless you're predicting injuries for the team this year, there's little reason to believe they'll suddenly fall off the table.
Any more?