Every Now and Then, Praise for White Sox Bullpen

July 20, 2014 @ admin → No Comments

Sunday smorgasbord: As has been previously noted in this space, Chicago White Sox manager Robin Ventura is a much better manager when his players — especially those fine folks in the bullpen — perform the way he (and Sox fans) envision. Latest case in point: Saturday’s 4-3 victory vs. the visiting Houston Astros, as four relievers combined for three scoreless innings. Anyone expecting an encore performance like that should be advised not to hold his/her breath. Or anyone else’s.

Miss World 2013 Megan Young. Just because. Video below.

* Speaking of the Sox relievers, the Sox have what is known in baseball parlance as a “closer by committee.” Which is to say: Who knows who’s the closer today? Which also is to say: That’s a problem. Unless Ventura consistently calls on the reliever who successfully will fill the role game-by-game. And if he is successful at that, he might want to spend some of his spare time at a casino and testing his good luck. Good talent — and a bullpen with defined roles — trumps good luck.

* Speaking of talented pitchers, legendary softball pitcher Jennie Finch will make her only appearance of the season at a Chicago Bandits game on Aug. 1 at the Ballpark in Rosemont. She and fellow 2004 Olympic team members Leah O’Brien-Amico and Crystl Bustos will be part of a pregame autograph signing session from 6-7 p.m. with the Bandits facing the USSSA Pride at 7:35. Information and tickets are available by calling (877) 722-6348 or online at www.chicagobandits.com.

* If it’s any consolation to Cubs fans (and the guess here is that it actually might be), the Cubs do lead the major leagues in one category: fewest home games played this season (42). Which means — provided that the statistical-analysis department around here is correct — the Cubs have 39 home games remaining this season. Which means if the Cubs could go 30-9 in their remaining home games, they actually could challenge. Not so much for the National League Central title as it would be to finish near .500. But, hey, some Cubs minor leaguers hit home runs (although none of the organization’s future Hall of Famers had one; time to press the panic button?).

* Speaking of the Cubs (big-league variety), they lost their fourth consecutive contest. Stater Travis Wood allowed five earned runs (seven overall) in 5 1/3 innings in a 9-3 loss at Arizona. His earned-run average increased to 5.12. On the bright (?) side, Wood did go 1-for-2 at the plate to improve his batting average to .243.

* The Chicago Bulls are on the road to challenging for the NBA championship. One need look no further than their NBA Summer League team, where rookie Doug McDermott and second-year player Tony Snell have been impressive. Oh, wait. The Bulls lost to Sacramento 80-61 Saturday in Las Vegas and the summer-league team is done with a 4-1 record? Never mind. If it’s any consolation to Bulls fans and/or management types (and the guess here is that it might be, even if the summer stuff doesn’t necessarily equate to regular-season success), Snell did score 20 points (about as many as he’d score in a couple of good weeks combined as a rookie). A reminder that results of these games are meaningless (unless, of course, your team happens to be winning them).

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