Starting with the doubleheader today against Detroit

Pitching matchups:
Game 1: 12:05 CT Buehrle vs Porcello
Game 2: 6:05 CT Torres vs Bonderman
Game 3: 6:05 CT Jackson vs Galarraga
Game 4: 12:05 CT Garcia vs Scherzer

No Verlander in the series, which is good news. Personally, I'll be happy with a split, but I think they can win 3. Torres is the wild card in this whole series, he was 7-7 with a 3.41 ERA and a 1.237 WHIP in 22 appearances (20 starts). He was not very good in 5 starts last year, so he really is just a guy.

The Tigers are broken, which is also good news. There will be no Magglio, no Brandon Inge, no Carlos "Sox Killer" Guillen, and no Joel "Guitar Hero" Zumaya.

Lineups later...

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Anything less than 6 wins is unacceptable. The Tigers have been bad and are beat up, and the Orioles are one of the worst teams in MLB. After that, 6 out of the following 9 games are against the Twins.

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Twin also have to deal with TB the next 2 nights, prime opportunity for the Sox to pick up a game or 2 the next couple of days

Game 1 lineup in:

Pierre LF
Vizquel 3B
Rios CF
Konerko 1B
Quentin RF
Kotsay DH
Ramirez SS
Pierzynski C
Beckham 2B

If I had to guess, Kotsay will probably play first, Konerko will DH, and we will have a Viciedo sighting in the night cap. AJ will probably still catch with Torres out there later.

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They are on the road, Frank. I think anything better than .500 will be okay. They're gonna have to beat the Twins. That's what it comes down to.

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Anybody here seen my old friend Bobby?
Can you tell me where he's gone?
I thought I saw him walkin' up to The Hill
With Elon, Tulsi, and Don

Aj is not catching the 2nd game today unless there is an injury. Besides Castro seems to get RBIs every time he is in there.

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Yes and Yes.....You hope to go .500 or slightly better on the road and clean-up more at home(which they have been doing in great fashion of late). The games against the Twinkies will more than likely determine the divisional race.

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Go Cubs!!!!

4 run lead for Buerhles... nothing like drinking at 12:48 pm on a weekday

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Even when Porcello was dealing early, you knew an offensive breakthrough would come because, well, he really isn't that good.

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When Pierre jacks a HR off you, you know you're pretty much shit

Yep

I'm glad this thing is getting out of hand. I have a meeting at 2.

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Would be nice to get both of these today. Where did Pierre hit is HR (only the 14th of his career) to?

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No idea

DJ wasn't talking and Farmer was too busy reading a question.

Edit: Right

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No way Omar plays both halves of the DH. Maybe the unstoppable Brent Lillibridge gets a call too.

Agree on Omar. If it hadn't been an off day yesterday, I would say Beckham would sit the nightcap too. If I had to guess at this point, I would say the game 2 lineup will be:

Pierre LF
Ramirez SS
Rios CF
Konerko DH
Quentin RF
Kotsay 1B
Viciedo 3B
Castro C
Beckham 2B

And yes, I changed my stance on AJ over Castro for game 2

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Lillibridge will likely play, and I think Jones plays RF and Quentin either sits or DHs the nightcap.

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With Torres recalled before game 2.. it's possible Lillibridge gets sent down. Or Viciedo..

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Apologist, they put lefty reliever Erick Threets on the 15-day DL with "turf toe" and have purchased Carlos Torres' contract from Triple "A" Charlotte to start Game 2 in Detroit this eve on The U. That being said, I think Ramon Castro starts the nightcap with Torres on the mound...

So do they keep Torres around in the 'pen for a little while, or send him down and call up another lefty for the pen after today?

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Good question, Frank. No sooner did Lucas Harrell win his ML debut last Friday vs. the A's, hours after Dan Hudson got dealt to Arizona for Edwin Jackson, Lucas was immediately optioned right back to Triple "A" Charlotte.

I would guess they keep Torres in the pen. It's not a bad idea for a huy who is a starter to be here when they want to rest Freddy and have a wild card in Edwin Jackson in the rotation.

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Unfortunately, the only other LHP not on the roster (but on the 40 man) is Randy Williams. Williams has done better since going down but I think the team lost faith in him.

I could see them sending Torres down and calling up Teahan.

You would think they'd keep Torres in the bullpen, SJ, regardless of how he fares in the nightcap this eve in Detroit. I don't think they call up Randy Williams again and Mark Teahen's not ready to return just yet. Teahen's not expected back until possibly the end of the second Tigers' series next weekend. Part of the reason why Edwin Jackson is here isn't just insurance for Freddy Garcia right now, but keep in mind what SCORE/Sun-Times' White Sox insider Joe Cowley said right around the time of the trade. Cowley's really worried about Jake Peavy coming all the way back from that injury in the back of his shoulder over the long term.

Cowley isn't the only one worried about that.

The best thing about the 1st game today is that only Linebrink was used out of the pen.

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Time to sober up between games.... or not

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Another laugher and Pierre hit's his semi-annual home run!! Who has the total of Juan Pierre's extra base hits on his signature?? Is it up to double didgets yet?

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Go Cubs!!!!

I had it... he might be at 12

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The home run today was 13

To be fair, he is leading the AL in steals

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He also had a double today. 14

Pierre wasn't brought in to slug. He was brought in to steal bases, score runs and catch fly balls. He has done his job just fine.

Lineup's in

Pierre LF
Vizquel 2B
Rios CF
Konerko DH
Ramirez SS
Kotsay 1B
Castro C
Jones RF
Beckham 2B

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