The idea that Sox roster decisions are made using the DENNIS system has some legs to it.

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We have the best starting 5 in MLB. Even if one of them gets hurt. That, ALL BY ITSELF, gets us to the playoffs. Now, the rest of it? That decides whether we're one and done or we go deep. If Leury and Lamb and Hamilton get significant PAs, we're in trouble. If Foster and Marshall get significant innings, we're in trouble. I'll play along with LaRussa until June 1, but you're going to have to have a go to lineup and you have to have go to relievers.

Agreed. But lets take a look at the big picture;

The Sox have absolutely given a couple of games away. They have injuries, pretty significant ones at that. The bullpen has been underwhelming. Leury, Hamilton, and Lamb have been getting significant playing time.

All that said, a month ago if you had told me that on May 3rd, the Sox would be 3 games over .500 and 5.5 games clear of the Twins, I would have taken it. The Royals are an improved team for sure, but they aren't going to win games at a .615 clip all season. This upcoming road trip and subsequent homestand is actually a big stretch here for the Sox. If they can even tread water over the next 10-12 games while being banged up, thats pretty good IMO.

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The surprises of Rodon, Mercedes, and Kopech have kept us afloat. Collins isn't a defensive liability. And Madrigal is a completely different player than 2 weeks ago. There's been plenty of bailout scenarios that have been at work early on. Which is a good sign considering the overall lackluster play.

Did I read correctly that the Sox are like 1-5 in the games Giolito has started this year? If true that is amazing considering their overall record.

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

Very well could be. His record is 1-3, and they lost game #1 @Anahiem even though Lucas himself didn't take the L.

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The silver lining that they are above .500 doesn't hide the fact that they don't look like a championship team. Giolito has been awful. Kuechel has been shaky. And the bullpen looks more like a liability that an asset. Add in subpar defense and base running, and they do not look like a team that would thrive in the playoffs.

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Why are only 14 percent of black CPS 11th-graders proficient in English?

This is not true. He had a terrible outing in Boston. He has been fine otherwise. Not a top Cy Young candidate like the two previous seasons, but nowhere near awful.

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Well that "one bad start" is part of his stat line. He has a 5 era, and a -.4 WAR. He's also been out pitched by the opponents starter in every game but one. This is not encouraging from your stopper/ace who is supposed to lead your rotation in the playoffs.

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Why are only 14 percent of black CPS 11th-graders proficient in English?

Ok.

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He may not be our ace this season. It may be a problem. It may not. But it's highly improbable he will be ineffective. Our best 3 pitchers over 162 will be our biggest hope to be our best pitchers in the playoffs.

Here's how I look at it. If I made a list of things that worry me about the current state of the White Sox, Giolito would be like #15 on that list. Now if we come around to June 1st and he's 2-6 with an ERA north of 5, then yeah thats a problem.

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It's worrisome that he was totally destroyed by the Red Sox who are a potential playoff opponent. Keuchel also hasn't looked very good. It's a long season so things can change, but I've waited a long time for them to be good. So my patience is strained. This was also a team that decided it didn't need to spend on pitching. They could trade for a cost effective 3rd starter and hope for the best.

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Why are only 14 percent of black CPS 11th-graders proficient in English?

Frank gets it

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