Friday, June 13 U.S. Cellular Field | 7:11 PM CT

Jeff Francis, LHP (2-6, 5.45)
Rockies (26-40) @
Gavin Floyd, RHP (7-3, 3.10)
White Sox (37-29)

Scouting Report:
Rockies: Francis labored through a 32-pitch first inning when he gave up two walks, three hits and two runs on Sunday, and gave up a two-out run in the second. However, he pitched much better, and left with three runs and seven hits in six innings in losing to the Brewers, as his fastball command and ability to use his changeup increased. So in his last two starts, with the exception of Sunday's first two innings, he is slowly finding his form. The Rockies need that.

White Sox: Floyd continues to impress White Sox manager Ozzie Guillen. The right-hander threw seven strong innings Sunday against the Twins, allowing two runs on six hits and a walk. His nine strikeouts were a career high en route to his third straight win. After that start, Floyd said his strikeout numbers depend on the strength of his curveball, which is his primary out pitch. The one free pass he issued is the only one he's allowed during his current winning streak. He has not faced Colorado this season.





Saturday, June 14 U.S. Cellular Field | 6:05 PM CT

Jorge De La Rosa, LHP (1-3, 8.13)
Rockies (26-40) @
John Danks, LHP (4-4, 3.13)
White Sox (37-29)

Scouting Report:
Rockies: The Rockies weren't sure who was going to start on Saturday after they optioned Glendon Rusch to Triple-A Colorado Springs last week. They ultimately decided on De La Rosa, who was moved to the bullpen after giving up seven runs on four hits in 3 1/3 innings against Philadelphia on May 27. He's made three relief appearances since the demotion, and has surrendered two earned runs on four hits in 4 2/3 innings. He pitched a perfect seventh inning on June 7.

White Sox: Danks looked mortal Monday against the Twins, giving up four runs in a start for the first time since April 9. On the other hand, he made it through six innings -- something he hasn't done with any consistency this season. He walked three and struck out four and didn't factor in the decision. His results haven't wavered month-to-month, owning a 2-2 record in both April and May. He even allowed exactly 10 runs in each month.



Sunday, June 15 U.S. Cellular Field | 1:05 PM CT

Aaron Cook, RHP (9-3, 3.21)
Rockies (26-40) @
Jose Contreras, RHP (6-4, 3.18)
White Sox (37-29)

Scouting Report:
Rockies: Cook became the third pitcher in Rockies history to win at least nine games before the All-Star break, and he has ample opportunity to break Shawn Chacon's 2003 club record of 11 W's before the break. In his last start, a win over the Giants, Cook threw 101 pitches in seven innings and might have gone deeper had he not gotten a couple of pitches up in the zone to lead to two runs in the eighth inning. Cook was especially strong early, when balls were either hit on the ground or became lazy flies, and finished with nine ground-ball outs.

White Sox: The right-hander saw his four-game winning streak come to an end, not to mention the conclusion of a string of six starts without a loss, during Detroit's 6-4 victory on Tuesday night at Comerica Park. Contreras had not allowed more than two runs in a game since May 4, prior to giving up six runs on a season-high 13 hits over six-plus innings against the Tigers. Contreras walked one and struck out one. He has a 2-0 record with a 3.46 ERA lifetime against the Rockies, with one of those starts coming at Coors Field.



I'll be sitting in row 2 Sec512 tonite, Button 48. After a piss poor showing in Detroit, no excuse for not going at least 5-1 on this homestand. Cook is going to be the toughest pitcher they face on this homestand.

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Very good job on the scouting report here. It will not be easy to contain the Rockies hitters though . Brad Hawpe, Matt Holliday, Garrett Atkins and Todd Helton, are all very good hitters. But your breakdown on the pitching match-ups is good. Cook is indeed going to be tough, as will Gorzelanny in the Pirate series. But section 512? Thats up in the upper deck and way down the right field side. I would be willing to bet they do't go 5-1 on this homestand though. Make the bet through MJH on the air and I will call to confirm my agreement to the bet. The loser has to donate $100.00 to Mac's charity organization that fights Autism. How about it?

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Go Cubs!!!!

I'm not sure where my seats are for Sunday's finale of this Interleague series, but I'll be there for Father's Day. Given the fact the Rockies have been besieged by injuries and that the Pirates are awful again this year, the White Sox need to take care of business at "The Cell" like they've been doing lately. My father, brother, his wife & her father in from Colorado will be out there Sunday. The Sox need to start manufacturing runs, and not rely on the home run as much to score. The Rocks & Pirates can be had.

That's not going to change.

Shark-you are right about the Rockies having been hit by a lot of injuries this season. However, both Brad Hawpe and Matt Holiday have both returned from the DL in the past week, leaving only Troy Tulowitzki out for them.They are a far different team now, with these guys healthy, than their record might indicate. Take away the 3-9 record the Pirates have against the Cubs and the Pirates-who you claim are awful, are 30-25. Their centerfielder Nate McLouth, is outstanding and the other two outfielders-Jason Bay and Xavier Nady are also very good.

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Go Cubs!!!!

I'm wondering a bit how the once again slumping White Sox bats are gonna handle the 2 lefties in a row. My hope is that Floyd can hold down the Rockies lineup on their first game of a road trip for the low scoring win and that the bats can wake up a little on Saturday and hit DeLaRosa hard. This team has been so streaky this year that I either expect the Sox to sweep or get swept but nothing in between.

Yes. I can copy paste just as well as you.

I will not bring down my favorite show with such a meatball topic.

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I love when the Sox face +5.00 ERA guys. Didn't help against the Tigers however. Todays guy is a lefty. We've done really well against leftys this year.

Saturday's guy is +8.00 ERA. To excuse not to kill him.

Cook is pretty damn tough on Sunday. Hopefully Contreras can match him and we can get to their bullpen.

Their bullpen is the worst in baseball.

I apologize about the Pirates and their record. Before Alfonso Soriano dropped that ball in Pittsburgh on a Sunday afternoon, the Cubs seemed like the only team that had their number this season. Thanks for correcting me on that one.

Way to go out on a limb there.

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"Play until it hurts, then play until it hurts to not play."
http://soundcloud.com/darkside124 HOF 2013, MM Champion 2014

I expect 5-1.

At this point I don't care to research stats.

The Rockies are bottom-feeders in the NL and the Sox must take two out of three.

The Sox should also be able to take two of three from the Pirates. Hopefully they can take the second of three or sweep on Thursday when I am there.

If they end up 3-3, they will get picked off in their division quickly.

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RFDC thinks I'm retarded.

I dont. If they go 4-2 I'll be happy. Anytime you can win two series in a row you shouldnt be upset with that. 5-1 might be asking a bit much, but its certainly possible.

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Fare you well, fare you well
I love you more than words can tell
Listen to the river sing sweet songs
To rock my soul

The point of the bet-that Frank has now declined, is that Frank states in the original post here, that there is "no excuse" for the Sox not to go at least 5-1 on this homestand. That's a very bold statement. I agree, that 4-2 would be more reasonable. Based upon the Sox record at home 20-9-it's a fairly good mathematical probability. But 5-1, is beyond what should reasonably be expected. That's why I was very quick to offer the bet, as I am happy to take that minimal risk. Its also why Frank has declined to bet, as deep down, he knows his earlier statement to be flawed and does not want to have to donate the $100 dollars. I'm not surprised, guys who sit in dection 512, probably can ill afford the loss. It was put up or shut up time for Frank and he shut up. Probably the wise move.

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Go Cubs!!!!

I'll bet the Sox. I have no issue in putting money on them. You wanted me to call in to MJH. Thats lame. Even when you don't call, they get enough meatball callers and I was not gonna bring the show down.

Now they need to go 4-1 in thier next 5. Thats very reasonable. What it not a reasonably expectation is printing World Series tickets for the Cub in June, like Steve is ready to do. How'd they do last nite, Steve? Huh? Against that "junior" league no less..

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Okay Frank, then the bet is on right? I will send a private message to Mac to let him know he can expect a donation of $100.00 from whomever loses the bet. It's hilarious that you want to make the bet after being spotted the first game, but I am still very willing to take the bet. Just keep in mind that you will look like the biggest ass in Chi-town, (Okay-even more so) if you fail to pay up. 4-1 still equates to a .800 win percentage, better than what they have established at home. As I had stated in an earlier post, I expected them to win the first game of the Rockies series, with the match-up of Francis vs Floyd. So the win last night was no surprise and no reason for me to want to cancel my offer of the wager.

As far as the Cubs are concerned, they played well, but lost 3-2 to a good team. The ball that grazed the 2nd base umpire cost them the deciding run-just a bad break. Otherwise that hit scores a run and leaves men at first and third. Then the guy for third scores on Pattersons hit. Instead, they sent the runner who had scored back to third and only one run wound up scoring in the inning.No embarassment about that. I had posted that I would be happy with a 3-3 road trip and would be. I try to be realistic about what to expect. Its going to be a tough game today facing Halladay, with Marquis going for the Cubs, but it's not every night that the match-ups are favorable. This bet will surely make the next several days even more interesting.

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Go Cubs!!!!

What odds you giving me? Clearly you can't expect me to agree to "anything except 5-1" because they could go 6-0! I say you gotta put up at least $200, maybe $250. And as one of the founding members of the MJH asslicking society, you are giving us all a bad name. Please, heed Mr Reaon's advice on this topic and use some Scope asap.

You're still a meatball.

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I had clearly stated the terms of the bet in my post that challenged your assertion that there would be "No Excuse" for the Sox not to go at least 5-1 on the home stand. It was very clear. I have already alerted Mac as to the bet and let him know that he should expect a check for $100.00 from whomever loses the bet. I have asked him to supply an address for the check to be sent to, along with the name of the organization, for which the check should be endorsed. If the Sox go 6-0, of course I would lose the bet and have to pay up.

Oh, and the Cubs lead 5-0 in the 3rd!

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Go Cubs!!!!

I'll show you my confidence. I say the sox will go 7-0 on this 6 game home stand.

Seriously, they better go at least 5-1.

We should put up a 10 spot on the Rockies tonight. Their starter sucks. He'll be gone by the 5th. Then we get their shitty bullpen.

Beardown-how do you feel about Sundays game with Contreras going against Aaron Cook? Plus, you have to take into account the Rockies hitters. With Hawpe and Holliday back, to go along with Helton and Atkins, this is a pretty good hitting team.

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Go Cubs!!!!

Of course. It's baseball. They can lose any game. I can still expect 5-1. And I do.

Hell, if the .195 Uribe doesn't get a clutch hit yesterday they lose.

BD-Never answered the question about Cook/Contreras. If you see that one as the one loss, then you expect them to sweep the Pirates, who are 30-26 if you subtract their 3-9 record against the Cubs. They have some tough left handed starters and an outstanding outfield of Nate McLouth, Xavier Nady and Jason Bay. That series is not going to be the cake walk that some Sox fans might think, based on how the Cubs have played them. As you said, it's Baseball and anything can happen.

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Go Cubs!!!!

I answered the question by saying the Sox can lose any game they play. If there were guarantees in baseball then Vegas would be out of business.

That should cover the Cook/Contreras question.

the Sox can lose any game they play--Beardown

Truer words have never been spoken!!! Just kidding, Beardown. I think they are a good team and may very well go 4-2 on the stand. I just believe very much in established mathamatical equasions. They suggest that 4-2 is much more likely than 5-1. Anyway, the bet makes the whole stand a bit more interesting.

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Go Cubs!!!!

I do not agree to the terms of your bet. You need to put up more as it is much more likely that a 4-2 homestand will happen.

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I was at the game last night and there was a jersey hanging in the Whitesox dugout (Boston #17). Anyone have any insight as to its significance?

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"i drink when and where i'm supposed to, at home and by myself."

Tribute to Russert

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I have very little use for "Why is Mac so Angry?"- My Bitch(Mr. Reason)

Darryl Boston. He's a coach in the minors, and filled in coaching first when Baines was away for a few days last homestand. Not sure why they have his jersey up though.

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I do not agree to the terms of your bet. You need to put up more as it is much more likely that a 4-2 homestand will happen.---Frank Coztansa

This, after saying there was "NO Excuse" for the Sox not to go 5-1 on the home stand and saying he would take the betI--'ll bet the Sox. I have no issue in putting money on them.

Now like the little Caller Bob that he is, he backs out. I was the one who said from the start that a 4-2 stand was very possible. He was the one saying there was "No Excuse" for not going at least 5-1.

Indeed, I did not go out on a limb. I just gave the idiot predicting the 5-1 home stand, an opportunity to put his money where his mouth is. Then, after accepting the bet, he backs out. Probably can't afford the loss. Thats why he gets shit seats in section 512. On top of that, he has to post to try to find someone willing to go to the game with him-apparently he doesn't have any friends. Thats certainly so surprise. Now we all know how little charachter this little bitch has, as if there was really ever any uncertainty. That was shown when he got fired from his job at the sperm bank, for drinking on the job.

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Go Cubs!!!!

Steve,

You are the one gung ho about this bet. You are the one who keeps wanting to involve MJH and make this meatball talk an on air thing. And now I've made the mistake of stooping to your level. Considering your thoughts here, it must have been your dad who was doing a hellava lot of drinking, among other drugs, when you were conceived.

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