How the hell does that make sense?

The rotation is able to have full rest if Vazquez goes in Game 1. Obviously, he's been horrible, but I'm willing to gamble that he can keep the Sox in the game, and, as an added benefit, the Sox get Buerhle normal rest for Game 2.

We are in agreement.

All you need from Javy is not to suck. 6 innings, 3-4 runs is fine. Sox are gonna have to get the offense going if they want to win this series anyway.

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IMO, the pressure is on the Rays. The Sox aren't supposed to win this series, so Tampa has to stand up and deliver. Unfortunately for them, there are a lot of players on the Sox who have done this before.

The pressure is off the Sox. They have been playing "Playoff games" for 10 straight games now. They've had must win "elimination games" for 3 straight days.

I think they'll be loose. Does that mean they will win this series? No. Rays are good. Really good.

But they have a shot. Buehrle, Floyd, and Danks just pitched great. Those 3 can run off 3 in a row even if Javy loses.

They have split a 4 game series and won and lost a 3 game series against LA.

They split a 4 game and lost a 3 game series against Boston.

They won a 3 game series and lost a 3 and 4 game series against the Rays.

So, not the best records against these teams, but they can compete with them.

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Looks like Shields Game 1 & Kazmir Game 2

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Paws Up

Yeah. It is Shields in game 1. Kazmir in game 2.

I was watching Baseball Tonight yesterday and they said Kazmir has really been struggling. So we got that going for us. Rays think so too. They don't want him for game 1. He's been their best pitcher until September.

I think another factor is the 3 days off the Rays will have had. Sometimes this matters. Sometimes not. Sox had 5 days off before the World Series began. They won but they really didn't hit well in that game 1.

3 days off for any MLB team has to throw you off. Hitters not the pitchers. You're just not used to it. Sox get one day off and will play again. You're used to that. Plus the Sox had to play hard down the stretch. The Rays really didn't. They knew they were in. I think they finally got the division on Saturday but they always knew they had the Wild Card, at least, for some time.

Maybe this is the perfect time for our worst pitcher - Javy Vazquez - to face the Rays. After they have had 3 days off and are rusty.

This is the definitive post on the subject.

Vazquez, as with most pitchers, are on a short leash during the playoffs. If he doesn't have it that day or gives any indication of "that big inning" erupting, he's out. The bullpen will be rested after the masterfull work over the last three days. Even if you tax them a little, you know Buehrle is going 6-7 the next day followed by a day off.

It's Vazquez. Any other talk is crazy and Ozzie was definitive in making that statement last night.

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

Of course it's Vazquez. Hawk was nuts for suggesting Clayton Richard. You want everybody else on full rest. You'll get that with Javy going in game 1.

Keep in mind, Javy pitched 4 innings of shut out ball before he lost it in the 5th. He does that a lot. Ozzie has to have somebody warming up in the pen (Clayton Richard) as Javy warms up in the 5th. Maybe even in the 4th. He lets two on base and he's gone. That's what I would do.

Not a bad idea - take what he can give, don't expect much more.

I hope I'm wrong, but you guys better remember all these "of course it's vasquez" posts if he gives up 4 runs in 2 innings tomorrow.

I hope he dominates the first 1 or 2 times through and ozzie pulls him before that 3rd time/big inning.

Absolutly. I know that is possible. But it's the greater good. You can lose a game and still win the series. You can lose 2 games. I'll take my chances with a game 1 loss and then running Buehrle, Floyd, Danks on full rest. Then you can have Buehre for game 5 cuz you have two off days after his start. He'll be on full rest for game 5. You can have Floyd in the bullpen for game 5 as well.

1 game with Vazquez. I know he might suck. Maybe he'll do OK. Maybe we'll out score them.

Rays in 4

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None of that changes if you start Richard. The idea is NOT to start Javy because he sucks. He's 0-2 12.76 ERA in his last 2 starts. I'd rather have him in the bullpen for this series.

You don't start a kid over a 10 year vet. Not if that kid is Richard with 6 or 7 MLB starts. Richard pitched well against the Yankees. But he's gotten rocked this year. Let's not be insane like Hawk. He's an old, cracker hillbilly. I'll give him a pass.

Javy has thrown some good games this year. He has a better chance of doing that than Richard.

You throw Javy your gonna lose game one. Ill put money on that one. The guy has no heart and looks like crap. You wanna just say screw game one and give the Rays a chance?

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No. But they have a stud pitcher going too. They beleive it's their best pitcher. Maybe he shuts out the Sox and it doesn't matter if we only give up 1 or 2 runs.

Jeez. I think there is a greater chance of Javy being OK than you guys. My god!!! You act like he's never pitched a good game. If he goes 6 innings giving up 3 runs I'll be fine. I'll say that was good enough for the Sox to win.

Don't underestimate the 3-day lay off for the Rays. Maybe this is the perfect time for Javy to face them.

The Rays are entering unchartered territory, and while most "experts" are picking them to win this series, the White Sox clearly have the edge when it comes to experience. Javy Vazquez is due for a really good start after 2 straight clunkers vs. the Yankees & Twins on the road. Of the starting pitchers, he's the one who really scares me.

Javy gives you a chance to win game 1 and is the best option right now, so that all the other pitchers can get some rest.

Javy can win, but I would put my money on the Rays for game 1.

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

Danks to start Game 3

Richard/Russell in, Horacio Ramirez/McDougal out

Any roster without MacDougal is fine with me.

Vazquez vs Tampa this year:

4/18/08 (Sox win, 9-2)

6.1 IP 6 H 2 R 2 ER 1 BB 4 K

5/31/08 (Tampa Win, 2-0)

7 IP 5 H 2 R 2 ER 2 BB 10 K

8/23/08 (Tampa Win, 5-3)

7 IP 5 H 4 R 4 ER 1 BB 4 K

Shields vs Sox this year

5/30/08 (Tampa Win, 2-1)

6 IP 7 H 1 R 1 ER 1 BB 6 K

White Sox fans, not sure what you think of this, but two of the reserves on the playoff roster that they'll submit to MLB before Game 1 of the ALDS in St. Petersburg tomorrow are outfielder Jerry Owens & third baseman Joshua Fields. They'll likely replace the injured Carlos Quentin & Joe Crede in this best-of-5 series.

I just hope Javy can go 6+ and give up less than 3 ER. Maybe full rest helps??

It would be nice for Javy to bring his "good stuff" to the ballpark w/him tomorrow. Even Ed Farmer can't understand why Vazquez continues to pitch w/out much control...

Sox in 4. Javy doesnt suck tomorrow.

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