The AL Central leading Chicago White Sox will battle the Seattle Mariners in a 2:05 matinee matchup. The White Sox (-210) are white hot and should have little problem disposing of the lowly Mariners.
It was not so long ago that the Florida Marlins were leading the Majors in home runs. They are now sitting in fourth place, a whopping 20 behind leading Chicago. With a balanced lineup, they possess eight different players hitting double digits in home runs.
The middle of their hitting order is the scariest Windy City export since Jerry Springer. Carlos Quentin, Jermaine Dye and Jim Thome have pounded a combined 90 homers this season. To put that in perspective, that is as many or more than five other clubs have hit combined! (Kansas City, Minnesota, Washington, Toronto & San Francisco). They have actually belted 21 more than the Giants. At this point, I’m not even sure we can still call San Fran a Major League city.
Quentin’s 35 are leading the entire league and the MVP buzz is in full swing for the talented outfielder. Some local fans have nicknamed him “TCQ”, which is short for “The Carlos Quentin”. This could be the most tedious abbreviation ever created. SBR member The Panic is still infinitely cooler than The Carlos Quentin, but I’m pretty sure he can’t hit a home run.
TCQ might be popular with the fans and he might even be popular with the ladies, but he certainly is not popular with opposing pitchers. Quentin set a minor league record in 2004 while getting hit by 43 pitches. Recently he was hit in six straight games. I’m not sure why they would want to make this guy angry. He has a couple of buddies batting behind him to help exact some revenge.
Up next comes Dye with his 29 and Thome with 26. These two are goliaths at the plate. Dye stands at 6’5” 245 lbs, while Thome is 6’3” 255 lbs. The really big boys, such as Bonds, Ortiz and this duo, can hit home runs by accident. What may be a popout to the shortstop for some batters, could possibly float its way out of the park for these guys.
The hit parade doesn’t end with the big three. Nick Swisher (19), Alexei Ramirez (13), Paul Konerko (12) and A.J. Pierzynksi (11) can all leave the park. Joe Crede, who is injured, has 17. Second baseman Alexei Ramirez is particularly impressive. Hardly an imposing figure at 6’3” 185 lbs, the lanky infielder has a smooth swing and a .310 batting average. When you are getting this type of production from your number eight hitter, good things are bound to happen.
Chicago has won five in a row, including two straight against the M’s. Seattle has lost five in a row and own the AL’s worst record. I have a theory on the Mariner’s woes. They have not been in the playoffs since the 2001 season. Then right before the start of the next year, Layne Staley died of a heroin overdose. Staley was the lead singer of legendary Seattle grunge band Alice in Chains. Staley’s songs were beautifully depressing, just like the Seattle sports scene. Until one of their teams wins something, I will call it the curse of Layne. But then again, I was a big Alice in Chains fan.
Chicago righty Gavin Floyd (12-6 3.75 ERA) will be matched against righty R.A. Dickey (3-7 4.92 ERA). This game could even be worth a look at the runline. Just make sure you fit the Sox on your card somewhere.
It was not so long ago that the Florida Marlins were leading the Majors in home runs. They are now sitting in fourth place, a whopping 20 behind leading Chicago. With a balanced lineup, they possess eight different players hitting double digits in home runs.
The middle of their hitting order is the scariest Windy City export since Jerry Springer. Carlos Quentin, Jermaine Dye and Jim Thome have pounded a combined 90 homers this season. To put that in perspective, that is as many or more than five other clubs have hit combined! (Kansas City, Minnesota, Washington, Toronto & San Francisco). They have actually belted 21 more than the Giants. At this point, I’m not even sure we can still call San Fran a Major League city.
Quentin’s 35 are leading the entire league and the MVP buzz is in full swing for the talented outfielder. Some local fans have nicknamed him “TCQ”, which is short for “The Carlos Quentin”. This could be the most tedious abbreviation ever created. SBR member The Panic is still infinitely cooler than The Carlos Quentin, but I’m pretty sure he can’t hit a home run.
TCQ might be popular with the fans and he might even be popular with the ladies, but he certainly is not popular with opposing pitchers. Quentin set a minor league record in 2004 while getting hit by 43 pitches. Recently he was hit in six straight games. I’m not sure why they would want to make this guy angry. He has a couple of buddies batting behind him to help exact some revenge.
Up next comes Dye with his 29 and Thome with 26. These two are goliaths at the plate. Dye stands at 6’5” 245 lbs, while Thome is 6’3” 255 lbs. The really big boys, such as Bonds, Ortiz and this duo, can hit home runs by accident. What may be a popout to the shortstop for some batters, could possibly float its way out of the park for these guys.
The hit parade doesn’t end with the big three. Nick Swisher (19), Alexei Ramirez (13), Paul Konerko (12) and A.J. Pierzynksi (11) can all leave the park. Joe Crede, who is injured, has 17. Second baseman Alexei Ramirez is particularly impressive. Hardly an imposing figure at 6’3” 185 lbs, the lanky infielder has a smooth swing and a .310 batting average. When you are getting this type of production from your number eight hitter, good things are bound to happen.
Chicago has won five in a row, including two straight against the M’s. Seattle has lost five in a row and own the AL’s worst record. I have a theory on the Mariner’s woes. They have not been in the playoffs since the 2001 season. Then right before the start of the next year, Layne Staley died of a heroin overdose. Staley was the lead singer of legendary Seattle grunge band Alice in Chains. Staley’s songs were beautifully depressing, just like the Seattle sports scene. Until one of their teams wins something, I will call it the curse of Layne. But then again, I was a big Alice in Chains fan.
The curse of Layne continues
Chicago righty Gavin Floyd (12-6 3.75 ERA) will be matched against righty R.A. Dickey (3-7 4.92 ERA). This game could even be worth a look at the runline. Just make sure you fit the Sox on your card somewhere.
I'm already going for the -1.5 runline.