Most know my mantra pretty much is "It's just a game." Or sometimes "Hope for the best, prepare for the worst." Sometimes it's both at the same time because sometimes it's necessary to work harder at trying to keep perspective when you lose when you don't want to lose and/or you need to win. Of course, I never want to lose, but that just isn't reasonable or practical. It happens, move on, get over it. But we have reached that point in the season where 'moving on' from a loss means you are done for the season. Yeah, okay, so some of you are saying, there is still plenty of baseball left. I don't really agree with the plenty part, but we are still in striking distance, and, as it is baseball, anything can happen ... either way. But as time goes on it gets less pragmatic to keep hopeful. I'm still hoping, though, but I'm not going to say anything about the upcoming matchups, because I really don't want to think about it. I mean, okay, we are facing Cease and Giolito, that's going to be tough ... and they are facing Mahle and Bundy. Mahle on his first game back after ... I just hope it's a very put together outing, and he gets past 4 innings (working 6 would be great!). I wasn't going to think about it, but now I'm thinking about it. I have no more fingernails to bite! Cease and Giolito are going to be tough ... let's hope our offense makes it tough on them instead.

And, incidentally, as disappointing as it was to lose last night to the White Sox, a team I hate losing to more than I hate losing to the Yankees, I was more saddened by Serena Williams' loss in the U.S. Open. I wanted one more championship for her. She is one of THE. FIERCEST. athletes I've ever watched play and, as a tennis player myself, I just marveled at what she could do with jaw-dropping amazement. There is no comparison for me ... not even Duran's splinker!  

Lineups will be posted when they are available and I get around to it. I am in the midst of some major house chores ... I moved my desk (which is a tall desk and shelving unit, custom made, solid, heavy, 7.5' high, 3' wide, 2.5' deep), and all its contents; pictures later). I'm happy about it ... I can't even describe what joy this work brings me ... lol ... I'm now sitting next to a window while I work and not an internal hallway.

Oh, and the obligatory ... it's a nice day in Chicago. Weather should not be a negative factor in playing the game.

 

Winnable game last night that we blew. Another 3 run output by our lineup. I'm not going into what I think about how we handle our bullpen. Tough pitcher tonight in Cease. Very real possibility we lose again. Giolito tomorrow. He's having a down season, but still can be tough when he's on. If we get swept by the south siders, then go into NY for four games...it may not be very pretty. Tonight's game is on Fox, so no Dick and Glen show. 

Before and after moving my desk …

8 minutes ago, CRF said:

Winnable game last night that we blew. Another 3 run output by our lineup. I'm not going into what I think about how we handle our bullpen. Tough pitcher tonight in Cease. Very real possibility we lose again. Giolito tomorrow. He's having a down season, but still can be tough when he's on. If we get swept by the south siders, then go into NY for four games...it may not be very pretty. Tonight's game is on Fox, so no Dick and Glen show. 

It will either be the Kevin and Mark show or the Joe and John show (I'm not sure which one)

22 minutes ago, Squirrel said:

Before and after moving my desk …

WOW! What a difference! Much better and a nice view too! 

5 minutes ago, CRF said:

WOW! What a difference! Much better and a nice view too! 

Yeah ... I had that piece custom made to fit inside a closet. The thought then (19yrs ago) was to create an 'office' space in the main bedroom and then leave the guest room completely as a guest room. Well, with much improved internet, with wifi (and I should have made this move years ago), when I have guests, I can just move my computer somewhere else for a few days as it's not connected to anything but the outlet. Now I can reclaim the closet it was in. This is part of my 5-yr plan before selling and moving back home.

24 minutes ago, cHawk said:

It will either be the Kevin and Mark show or the Joe and John show (I'm not sure which one)

We've gotten A.J. and Adam Amin on some games here. 

Kepler hitting 3rd again.  Why? 

34 minutes ago, Parfigliano said:

Kepler hitting 3rd again.  Why? 

Because he hit 36 HR 3 years ago I guess

Anybody else not have the game on FOX? I have college football still.

Why is Freddie Mercury pitching for the White Sox?

There goes the no-hitter!

2 pitches.....

This team…just…what the ****

There goes the shutout 

There goes the two-hitter, and the shutout!

3 more pitches......

Looks like Mahle is really on tonight. Back to the IL after exhausting what passes for a bullpen?

All the pitching choices the FO makes......... unbelievable. 

Ouch,  Kaboom,  Cmon guys

yikes

10 pitches, 4 hits, 4 earned runs. Mahle. The hero.

This is frustrating as hell. Good lord

Indians/Guardians are down early, so that's something to get excited about 

Just now, AussieG said:

Indians/Guardians are down early, so that's something to get excited about 

Depends on how one defines excited

Joe Kelly with a better start than Mahle

This is why I was a little surprised last night's starter was pulled after 4

If Mahle were a car we'd be driving him back to the dealership to get our money back.

3 minutes ago, h2oface said:

All the pitching choices the FO makes......... unbelievable. 

I don’t see what was wrong about going after Mahle, do you?