*OFFICIAL* 7/15/22 Getting Hot (at the) Dish SOX 6 MIN 2 Postgamer

[Frater Perdurabo]

We have now secured, at worst, a split in Minnesota.

We are now .500.

Dare we dream of entering the All Star Break at or above .500?

Kopech could be more efficient but the bullpen again was nails.

[thomas35forever]

If this is the team for real, the next two-and-a-half months are gonna be wild.

[KenBerryGrab]

Engel stepping in and stepping up.

[Zakath]

Kopech looked shaky again to start, but managed to get through 5 and get the win. Another solid 4 innings from the 'pen (4 IP, 2 H, 3 K). Some huge DPs turned (4th and 8th) to end some scoring chances for the Twins.

Engel with the big hit, but he can't grow a beard to save his soul.

Guaranteed of the split, but have to keep pushing. Need a solid start from Lynn tomorrow, who, outside of his strong outing in San Francisco, really has struggled since coming back (last two starts: 9 IP, 15 H, 13 R, 4 BB, 7 K, 13.00 ERA, 2.11 WHIP). Wonder if the Robert thing was just a dehydration issue, or if they keep him out until after the break.

[FielderJones]

Wonder if the Robert thing was just a dehydration issue, or if they keep him out until after the break.

I think lightheadedness might be code for defensive nonchalance.

[Domeshot17]

Have to get one of these next 2. Get into the break within 3 games and at .500 or higher and we’re in a great spot. A sweep would put us one back at the break, that’s nuts, lose the next 2 and it’s 5 back.

[voodoochile]

I think lightheadedness might be code for defensive nonchalance.

As I said in the game thread... NO! and I'll explain why.

Because only an absolute idiot would bench the guy who went 3/4 with a GS, 2 2B and a shouldabeen walk for the one out recorded due to a defensive miscue in the first inning of the next game. Say what you want about TLR, but he's NOT an idiot. This whole idea that LouBob got benched for that miscue is so far outside any sense of reality as to be not even worth discussing, but... hey...



Maybe TLR was prescient and saw the 3-run blast by Engel coming... but...

NO!

Heck of a win either way. Big sticks from TA and Engel to make the difference. Kopech muscled through 5. Joe Kelly and the back 3 did their jobs and presto... the Sox are back to .500 and 3 games out.

[Dumpjerry]

I think lightheadedness might be code for defensive nonchalance.

It's code for blood pressure problems. Sometimes.

[Nellie Fox]

It's code for blood pressure problems. Sometimes.

Or dehydration.

[voodoochile]

Or dehydration.

The article on him in the Athletic the other day mentioned he was dealing with Post COVID effects for a long time after he got cleared to play. He might still be dealing with issues here and there.

[ChiTownTrojan]

It’s amazing what a 4-game winning streak will do to the psyche of the team. It wasn’t long ago that this team looked absolutely dead - in the dugout, at the plate, even in the clubhouse. Now it looks like they’re playing a lot looser and having fun while doing it. A much more enjoyable team to watch. Really, it’s about damn time.

How many times this season have the Sox come off a big win that starts to get our hopes up, only to lay a dud the next day? Tonight they didn’t do that. That makes this probably the biggest win of the season to date.

[kufram]

I saw nothing "nonchalant" or lazy in Robert. His one weakness in the outfield is play at the wall (which will improve, but I don't want him crashing into walls anyway) but what I saw was a player that couldn't visually and/or mentally evaluate either the ball's trajectory or his position in relation to it... or both. Man, some fans can sure turn on a dime depending on a game. I have to constantly remind myself how young the players are, but then Jose Abreu is a very young man to someone my age.

[LITTLE NELL]

I think I mentioned this before but with the second half coming up I'd like to see Robert in right field and give the centerfield job to Engel, I think we would be much stronger defensively with that alignment, of course Engel is another guy who has had quite a few injuries but he has really improved as a hitter since he originally came up from the minors. Robert is good with the glove but IMHO is not as good as Jimmy Landis who won a bunch of Gold Gloves and who some thought including me was better than Willie Mays patrolling centerfield. Robert in right field might extend his career with less acreage to cover and fly balls hit to RF are easier to read with a high percentage of balls spinning from left to right.

[WSox597]

As a long time eyeglass wearer, my first thought at his recent defensive struggles was he may need his eyes checked out. Honestly, no snark intended. It may be that simple.

A couple of his miscues in the last series looked like depth perception issues. I know about those. LOL

The man won a Gold Glove recently, it's not like he forgot how to field the position.

[StanBahnsen72]

The last 4 games have been really fun- what 2022 was supposed to feel like.

Gutsy performances from Cueto and Kopech this series- and other than a meaningless HR let up by Ruiz- our bullpen has been lights out.

Defense is still a little rough- but making some big plays when we need them.

With both Eloy and Robert having issues- why not put Eloy on the 10 day IL retroactive- and then he's pretty much back after the break? Pretty thin bench right now.

Really need the 1st half of 2021 version of Lance Lynn today- need him to be the "hoss" and put us in a position of sweeping with Cease tomorrow.

It's just nice to have meaningful, well played, mid summer baseball (thanks to being in the Central Division- but I'll take it).