* Including Game 1, the White Sox have now lost four in a row on the Rays’ home field. Chicago has managed to score a total of just eight runs in these contests.
* One reason for the Rays’ success this year has been a huge improvement in their bullpen. Their bullpen ERA went from a league-worst 6.16 in 2007 to 3.55 (5th ML) this season. In Game 1, Tampa Bay’s relievers allowed one run on one hit in 2.2 innings while striking out five.
* Chicago is 1-3 in playoff series all-time when dropping the first game. The lone series win was in the 2005 LCS, when the White Sox won four in a row from the Angels after dropping the opening game.
* Tampa Bay led 1-0 after the second inning of Game 1. In the regular season, the Rays were 61-23 when scoring first.
* Mark Buehrle finished the regular season very well, going 4-1 with a 2.29 ERA in six September starts.
* A.J. Pierzynski was 2-for-3 in the Game 1 loss on Thursday. He is now hitting .390 with four home runs in 13 career divisional series games.
* In Game 1, Evan Longoria became the second player in history to hit home runs in his first two career postseason at-bats. Gary Gaetti had homers in his first two postseason at-bats back in 1987.
* Scott Kazmir is 1-0 with a 2.08 ERA and .163 opposing average in two starts against the White Sox this season.
Copyright 2008 STATS LLC
Comments
Back in 05, (this is the truth) I often said that the inability to get a run in from third would kill the Sox. That year the pitching covered up. They would have won game two 2-0 or 2-1 instead of losing 6-2.
Despite decent to good batting averages with men in scoring position, the Sox have not gotten runs in from second and third in years. Deep down everyone knows it. You can't expect them to change. I get sick watching guys like Swisher almost pulling a muscle trying to hit a homer with one man on base and down by 4 runs. Why? What's the point? Play the game, guys.
I wish we had a bigger park. It's as if players come here and get sucked into the power game. When the Sox are going well, they hit to the opposite field and don't jerk off the ball, with parts of their bodies going in ten different directions.
My frustration is quickly turning to resignation. I'm tired of hearing that everone is trying. Of course you are. Now just WHAT are you trying to do? What's the plan?
Another point... The attitude that you don't want to get too high or low is great, but let's have someone besides Ozzie get really PO'd about losing. I'm not big into throwing chairs and smashing urinals, but somewhere along the line someone has to get past, "Well we gave it our best. It just didn't work out." BULL! Losers try. Winners get it done!
I think these Sox are better than the results show. It can still happen.
Posted by: Greg H | October 4, 2008 10:59 AM