4 game series. Would be nice to take 3 of 4 before heading west, but for some reason the O's always give the Sox fits.

Baltimore Orioles vs. Chicago White Sox
Monday, April 16, 7:10 PM CT, U.S. Cellular Field
Jake Arrieta, RHP 1-0, 2.63 ERA
Philip Humber, RHP 0-0, -.-- ERA

Tuesday, April 17, 7:10 PM CT, U.S. Cellular Field
Wei-Yin Chen, LHP 0-0, 3.18 ERA
John Danks, LHP 1-1, 5.40 ERA

Wednesday, April 18, 7:10 PM CT, U.S. Cellular Field
Tommy Hunter, RHP 1-0, 2.77 ERA
Jake Peavy, RHP 1-0, 3.55 ERA

Thursday, April 19, 1:10 PM CT, U.S. Cellular Field
Jason Hammel, RHP 1-0, 2.08 ERA
Gavin Floyd, RHP 1-1, 3.09 ERA

I'll say Sox split but let's hope they prove a lot of us wrong and take take at least 3 of 4.

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The Orioles have been bad at baseball for many years, but don't tell that to the White Sox, and especially since Buck Showalter traded in his suit, shirt & tie at ESPN's "Baseball Tonight" for a lineup card.

This is the 4th series in a row where the Sox play a team that is .500 or better.

The O's are getting good pitching. I hate 4 game series because the seem to end up 2-2.

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O judgment! Thou art fled to brutish beasts,
And men have lost their reason.

The lineup is already in for Game 1 of 4, likely with good seats available. Have your pencil & scorecard ready.

30 Alejandro DeAza CF (L)
22 Brent Morel 3B (R)
32 Adam Dunn DH (L)
14 Paul Konerko 1B (R)
12 A.J. Pierzynski C (L)
51 Alex Rios RF (R)
10 Alexei Ramirez SS (R)
24 Dayan Viciedo LF (R)
15 Gordon Beckham 2B (R)

After a rain/snow out in Cleveland, Phil Humber makes his 2012 debut tonight vs. the Orioles' Jake Arrieta in a battle of right-handers. First pitch at 7:10p. Pregame on 670 The SCORE/White Sox Radio Network at 6:35p with the Ranger; first 2 games of this series on WCIU 26 The U, much to the dismay of Tyler Perry, "Family Guy", "American Dad" & Jerry Seinfeld. Their shows are bumped. Much to Doug Hefferan's dismay, a Time/Life Music infomercial (?) follows tonight's game on 'CIU at 10p instead of "The King of Queens".

How long can you keep putting Morel and Dunn in the 2 and 3 hole?

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"He is a loathsome, offensive brute
--yet I can't look away."

SHARK

These are all fictional entities. I'm pretty sure none of them actually have feelings.

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Good question.

Another question would be, "Who do you have be the new 2/3 hitters?"

Good point. Aside from Paulie that lineup is full of suck.

But I would probably give Alexei and Viciedo a shot at 2 and 3.

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"He is a loathsome, offensive brute
--yet I can't look away."

Fair enough.

I'm holding out hope for Dunn because of past consistency. Just hope his consistency hasn't passed....

Morel looks terrible, like not ready for MLB terrible. But again, the cupboards lie bare.

I don't know, RFDC. I heard Mac suggest Anthony John Pierzynski as a possible #2 like Ozzie did a few years ago when he filled out the lineup card. As for Adam Dunn, no matter where they put him after a slow start, he couldn't hit squat a year ago. Right now, while this appears to be the primary lineup, I wouldn't be shocked if Robin experimented and shuffled the cards if the whole team doesn't hit.

Viciedo and Alexei are both too free of swingers to be hitting that high in the order. Tank could be a 3-4-5 hitter down the road, but not right now.

I'd go with something like this;

De Aza
Rios
Paulie
AJ
Dunn
Viciedo
Bacon
Alexei
Morel

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I could see that in due time, Frank. Adam Dunn batting 5th? Alexei Ramirez batting 8th? Not so sure about that.

Well, pick a lane SHARK. Either you could see it in due time, or you aren't too sure about that.

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Rios is having another year like last year that makes you go WTF - Hitting .190, his BA of balls in play is .211 - that's unheard of.

As for Dunn, looking on the bright side, his OPS is close to 760 which is better than his .569 last year. Oy Vey.

In due time, Frank. I'm not sure if there's any correct lineup.

While De Aza has been ok, let's all remember that we bitched about Pierre and his .320 OBP. DeAza is at .294.

Arguably the best two hitter they have is Escobar who will likely see more time soon if Beckham continues to strike out at a nearly 50% clip.

Right now, the options at second base are Eduardo Escobar & Brent Lillibridge if Beckham continues to struggle. Ditto for third base with Brent Morel if he continues to swing & miss, too.

The only other option? Ozzie Martinez down at Triple "A" Charlotte?

Just go ahead and say it Vince, he is the best option right now at 2nd base. But it will be awhile before he gets a shot every day.

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"He is a loathsome, offensive brute
--yet I can't look away."

He may be the ONLY option if they continue to play Brent Lillibridge in the outfield or first base for Paul Konerko or Adam Dunn late in games.

You are 100% correct. I'd let him have a chance. I think we're seeing who Beckham is over the last 14 months.

It will be interesting to see how long Ventura goes with Beckham. Being a first year manager I would bet he gives him more time that he really should get.

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"He is a loathsome, offensive brute
--yet I can't look away."

I dunno. Robin had a different lineup for that rainout game in Cleveland. Maybe its coincidence, but the Sox scored 10 runs the next game. He has a rookie closer. So far, he's used the pen well and doesn't seem to have any issues putting one of the young guys in a pressure situation. I'd be willing to bet that Beckham has a shorter leash than most of us think.

The one thing Bacon has going for him is rock solid defense.

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True. I would say the difference is that Beckham came up with a lot of pub and fanfare. People were really expecting him to be the next big thing for the Sox. So Ventura will probably want to go the extra mile in making sure he isn't just a late bloomer.

His defense is rock solid, but I think the same is true of Escobar.

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"He is a loathsome, offensive brute
--yet I can't look away."

People were expecting it because it that 2/3 of a season he did almost more than his 2 full season combined.

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AJ carrying a big stick early in the season. It sure would be nice if he were able to add some pop to the offense this year.

I'm also loving Paulie, once again, he is bringing the heat.

Too bad Rios blows, Morel is awful and Bacon is bad at hitting.

It's early, but my prediction is if/when the pitching falters for any reasonable amount of time the White Sox will be sent into a deep hole. It really isn't going out on a limb to say that, though.

Did Hawk just say that Ted Williams would literally crucify people?

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Would it surprise you if he really did?

Beckham and Morel had 2 just awful at bats in the 3rd.

Lotta pitches by Humber...hopefully he can minimize the damage

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