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Good idea posting this day before. We’ll probably have at least five full pages in the books before game time. I wouldn’t say I’m nervous, exactly, but I do have a bit of trepidation going into this week because now, all of a sudden, I feel the twinge of expectations. With playoffs odds around 70%, it would be at least somewhat disappointing for me to see them fall short. Even if we finish 0-6, I will still be very, very happy with this season and our prospects going into 2025. But just a little twinge, y’know? But that’s OK. That just means we have a good team to root for now. With the Twins playing the Marlins, it wouldn’t surprise me to see them win 2/3 while we win only 1/3 from the Rays and we go into the weekend down one. That would make sweeping the White Sox imperative. It would be a sweet tension I haven’t felt with this franchise probably since 2013.

I just want to enjoy the thing I am seeing on the field right now and not think about the thing that’s going to happen off the field until we’re out of it.

The young ‘uns have heard from grandpa how the white man used to be on top in the old days, and that’s a seductive sell to white kids who live in exurban and rural areas where they see things aren’t going so good economically for them and their nearly 100% white neighbors, all while they see on the News about how the n-bombs and their trans kids who are ruining the cities are itching to come on out and do the same to their Hallmark Channel town. Who wouldn’t want to vote for that amirite

If we end up even contemplating trading Skubal at next year’s deadline, then something has gone horribly, horribly wrong.

I also don’t think this front office is going to push hard to lock up Skubal for a bunch of years anytime soon. He’s going to be 30 for his first free agent season in 2027, and his two-time-loser elbow is still a red flag when it comes to longevity. Paying mid-eight-figure annually for several of his age 30+ seasons, especially at the back end, would not seem to be a good investment. Are we already forgetting the albatross contract we shed just this season, or even the one we have for an aging collapsing player right now?

That’s why we’re gonna start Mize against the White Sox, probably Friday.

Man, I take a look at that 2011 roster and so many of those guys just feel like hired guns. Nothing like the team of kids capturing our hearts now.

Fun fact: in most northern cities, temperatures average higher on November 1 than on April 1, by some two to five degrees. There is also a substantially higher probability for rain on April 1 (28%) than on November 1 (22%), and the wind on April 1 is slightly higher and more from the north and east than on November 1, which is more from the south and west. Even setting aside playoff vs regular season, you are more likely to feel comfortable at a ballgame on November 1 than on April 1.

People forget that about 2006, how fast a start we got off to and then how under. 500 we were in the second half. It really does prove what a blip in history 2006 was for us.

Of 29 players appearing at the plate, the White Sox have only three players listed as having an OPS+ of at least 100. Two of them (Yoan Mocada, 117 OPS+ in 45 PAs; Tommy Pham, 104 OPS+ in 297 PAs) are long gone. Only one is left: Greg Vaughn, 101 OPS+ in 593 PAs.

I’m gonna be there tomorrow. Can’t miss history no matter how chilly and damp it’s gonna be.

You gotta hand it to the White Sox social media team: they have a sense of humor about all this. That said, once daddy finds out, they are so fired.

Aren’t the Lions still on? 😏

Oh god no, please, not expectations …

To wit:

Can you imagine how even better Holton could be if he could add some swing and miss to his repertoire? Woof.

True as this is when looking at topline numbers, their Statcast cards can provide a better clue.

I don’t think I worry too much about Foley. I think I worry the appropriately right amount about Foley. 😁 Foley has enough holes in his game that I don’t think he’s going to be the primary closer on the 2025 team. I think he’ll still be here, but we will establish appropriate matchups for him starting next spring. Even if coaching wanted to make a change sooner than later, It’s the kind of change that couldn’t be made with just a few games left in the season, anyway, not with this coaching regime. I do think Holton is the early favorite to be the late inning leverage guy next year.

I love the two minute warning now.

Terrion Arnold can’t stop hacking receivers. This isn’t the SEC, son.

Way to go, Jared, threading that needle to get the TD to Amon Ra.