No Need to Panic Quite Yet

Yes, this afternoon's 6-4 loss sucked. Sucked hardcore; and once again a lot of the blame falls square on the shoulders of Javier Vazquez who continued to cement his reputation as the anti-Big Game Pitcher. Today's effort fits right in with his career play-off trend. And while Javier claims he would like the ball again,

"I'm not quitting,'' Vazquez said Thursday, after the media horde departed for less depressing lockers. "I want the ball again... I would love to get the ball again, to get another chance. All of us here are competing for the same goal, to win the World Series, and I want to do my part.''

You'd have to believe that Ozzie and crew would be downright crazy to actually do it, and thankfully, Ozzie seems to be on the same page with the rest of the world. Right now, it's wishful thinking if you're even looking at Game 4, let alone Game 5, but Guillen said if the series goes the distance Javier would likely not be getting the call.

So... Why should we all be optimistic? Here's two good reasons: Mark Buehrle and John Danks. The Sox lefties are scheduled to start Games 2 and 3, both on normal rest, and if there has been one Achilles' Heel to the Rays improbable run to the post-season this year, it has been their struggles against left-handed pitching. Did anyone notice that Clayton Fucking Richard completely handcuffed them until he ran out of gas? Yeah, his line doesn't look great; 3.1 IP, 3 H, 2 BB, 5 K, but he was clearly coasting on fumes toward the end and allowed the last three batters he saw to reach base... Take those AB's away and Richard got 10 outs, 1/2 of them via strikeout, and allowed only 3 baserunners. Fucking tight. Tampa Bay had the 2nd lowest BA against left handed pitchers in the American League this season, and were only 25-24 when facing a lefty on the hill. But, to play Debbie Downer, the Rays have had some success against Buehrle. So we'll see how this plays out. The point being, everyone, we're not out of this thing yet; we could be down 0-2 after 2 home games (sound familiar?)

Aside from Dewayne's 3-run homer, the only other moment of excitement in today's game occurred in the 7th when Orlando Cabrera and Grant Balfour shared an awkward at bat. Not sure what happened, but after Balfour's 1st picth sailed well outside, Cabrera kicked some dirt in his general direction, and tempers momentarily flared. You can see video embedded at Awful Announcing if you missed the broadcast. After the game, however, Cabrera said it was just a misunderstanding, but this opens the door for some added spice; hopefully the next time the Balfour/Cabrera duel erupts, the outcome is a little better.

Ozzie's decision to start Javier Vazquez in Game 1 had "Airmchair Manager Fodder" written all over it, especially when juxtaposed with Richard's excellent work out of the bullpen. NBC Sport's Baseball "Expert" Tony DeMarco feels that Ozzie's decision to start Javier in Game 1 was a mistake that has put the Sox behind the 8-ball. Here's why I respectfully disagree:

1. It is not critically important for the Sox to have won both games in Tampa Bay. Sure, it'd be nice, but if the Sox leave with a split, they're in very good shape. Mark Buehrle was going to start one of the two games, the question was Game 1 on short rest or Game 2 on normal. Considering Mark has started 2 of his last 3 games on short rest, I'm perfectly happy with the decision to give Mark and extra day off and hopefully put him in a better position to win. Put it this way: would you feel more comfortable with the Sox down 0-1 and Buehrle pitching tomorrow or Buehrle losing Game 1? Exactly.
2. The move allows Danks and Floyd to pitch Games 3 and 4* at the Cell. Granted, Danks' home/road splits favor him on the road, but for both it will be their first postgame start and I don't think you can overestimate the crowd factor. Rather than facing 40,000 cowbell-clanging, mohawk-wearing, clowns amplified because there's a god damn roof on the stadium, the pair of youngsters will come home to 40,000 supportive South Siders wearing black and waving rally towels. Much better. Also, I know you don't like to plan for down the road when you're in "Win Now" mode, but the Sox still need to remember to handle these arms very cautiously. Both Floyd and Danks have pitched a number of innings, many important ones in the past few weeks, and it would be reckless to simply overwork these guys who are so prominent in the short and long-term plans for this team.

Finally, on the lighter side, Jimbo's Pub, the most notable "Sox bar" in Bridgeport lost its appeal in Illinois Appellate Court and looks to be headed the way of the dinosaurs, but fear not, the bar will at least remain open until the end of the White Sox season. Speaking of bars, if you're like me and are a North Side Sox fan, Time Out Chicago published a brief list of "Sox-friendly" bars in enemy territory.

Play-Off Beard Update: About two days since I shaved clean in preparation for October. Anyone who knows me knows that I grow facial hair about as fast as the continents move, so I'm still at that sharp, sandpaper state.

Remember, everyone... Not in trouble yet. Talk to me tomorrow night.