Our Ace

Am I hallucinating or is James Shields currently our ace?

Sounds like Shields lets out a loud grunt with every pitch.  Either that, or some nutty fan is grunting after every Shields pitch.

He might yet bring in a decent prospect now that his salary the rest of the season should not be a huge obstacle.  But as soon as he gets hopes up, along comes a blooper for a reality check.

I'm sick of this second and third and no out crap.  Two nights in a row and absolutely nothing.  Might as well try to squeeze everyone home when the weak sticks are up.  Strikeouts aren't cutting it.

Sox tried the squeeze in the 9th last night and it failed and went foul.  Run would have scored and tied the game.

SoxIlliniRob wrote:Sox tried the squeeze in the 9th last night and it failed and went foul.  Run would have scored and tied the game.

Yeah, that was my point.  They try it once and give up?  He still had a strike left and I think struck out anyway.  Why not try it with this club which can do nothing but improve anyway.  Right after this post was put up, I heard them say that DBo and Renteria had a bunch (all?) of them out practicing to bunt anyway, then Moncada comes up and bunts badly.  I do not think they need to be bunting with the guys that are hitting, but the Engels and whoever else failed last night... Trayce Thompson?

They are only down 2-0 but it feels like 5-0 and we are looking at yet another team drudgery if they cannot learn how to just stroke singles with men on base.  They make it look so easy with nobody on, but then the sphincter must tighten and as Hawk says, they get afraid to drive in a run.  Frustrating, but as long as they are the kids getting the experience, I hope it will be worth it.

Can we not get Steverson kicked upstairs to run concession prices or something?

Shortly after this exchange, Engel tried a squeeze twice in a single at bat.  Foul both times.

SoxIlliniRob wrote:Shortly after this exchange, Engel tried a squeeze twice in a single at bat.  Foul both times.

The first attempt was at least decent.  Second one not good at all.  These guys that are going to be looking to hold onto a 4-5 OF spot could really use the added pluses of being able to get down a bunt and just make contact.

Yeah, a speedy all-glove, no-hit CF'er ought to be able to bunt a ball fair for crying out loud.

He's worthless. Calling him a stiff would be a compliment. And we have these kids down on the farm getting "seasoned" while slugs like this get to play? Give me a break.