The Cubs/Sox series are always tough games no matter how good or bad the teams are, which is why historically these series are almost always split. I think, iirc, the Sox have a 3 or 4 game advantage in the overall series but thats because they took 2 of 3 from both series last year, and won 2 of 3 during the first series this year.

The Pirates are bad, but they swept them. The Nats are bad, but Strasburg didn't beat them and they gave up a grand total of 4 runs over the 3 game series. That is getting it done regardless of if the team you are playing is in 1st place or last place.

Going into Monday, the Braves had one of the best records in the NL and the Sox lit up thier best pitcher.

They are also winning with good situational hitting and scoring runs after 2 outs. Good pitching and 2 out runs are the biggest things that good teams do well.

This really started in early June against the Indians. Buerhle goes out there and gives up 6 runs on like 13 hits in 3 innings. The Sox ended up coming back to win that game, then took 2 of 3 against the Tigers, and they've been rolling since. I'm not convinced that they are a playoff team yet, but if they get to say 4 or 5 games over .500 by the All Star break and are still hanging around the Twins, it could be thier division to lose.

It's more fun to be a victim

There will never be an effective vaccine. I'll never get one anyway.

Yeeesh. CQ and the boys better hit some HRs today.

Here is a rare oppportunity for Andruw Jones to play against his former team (who he left under not so good terms) and Ozzie has him on the bench.

It's more fun to be a victim

There will never be an effective vaccine. I'll never get one anyway.

If anyone's wondering about Jayson Nix, he's now a Cleveland Indian. As for Brent Lillibridge, he's doing as well as Gordon Beckham at the plate...Not good.

I wouldn't be opposed to giving Beckham a few more days off, and just letting him work on the side and in the video room. He looks awful at the plate.

BD, that's not about to happen. Gordon's hit the ball hard, but right at guys like Atlanta's Jason Heyward & Melky Cabrera for tough outs. He's snakebit at the plate. He should be back in the lineup tomorrow when the Cubs pay "The Cell" a visit. With the Sox headed for places like Kansas City & Texas next week, likely both hot & humid, I predict Beckham's going to get his average above .200. His defense has been very good at second. As you've seen with Lillibridge today and previously with Jayson Nix & Omar Vizquel before Mark Teahen broke his finger, Gordon's replacements at second haven't been productive either. Besides, SCORE/Sun-Times Insider Joe Cowley mentioned last night during the rain delay and on "The Danny Mac Show" today that there's nothing in the minors to replace Beckham. If there's one thing I'd like to see, and this may be meatballish on my part, Beckham should get his head shaved if it means changing his bad luck.

It's more fun to be a victim

There will never be an effective vaccine. I'll never get one anyway.

There is not a damned thing wrong with people who are bull shitters.

There is not a damned thing wrong with people who are bull shitters.

Gavin really deserved a win today - he's been lights out for the last 3 starts and has had nothing to show for it.

2.5 back - whodathunkit??

Anyone know why Rios wasn't in the linup today ? Just a day off? It would be his 2nd day off in the last week so I'd find that a bit odd.

It's more fun to be a victim

There will never be an effective vaccine. I'll never get one anyway.

It's more fun to be a victim

There will never be an effective vaccine. I'll never get one anyway.