Cheat's ChiSox Blog: Freddy Daytime

As I mentioned earlier, Freddy Garcia is a notoriously good day game pitcher. This was on display again today in Cleveland. After not having the best command on any of his pitches early, he settled down and retired the last 14 batters he faced in order, much like he did in the opener. He runs his record in day games over the past two seasons to 10-0 with a 2.34 ERA. He allowed just six baserunners for the game, and none after the 4th inning, in his 8 innings of work.

Garcia used his experience from Seattle, pitching in a pitcher's park at Safeco field, to his advatage. The wind was blowing in from center field at a reported 25MPH. He used the wind as a tenth defender, knocking down a couple of would-be homeruns off the bat of Travis Hafner.

Former Dodger Alex Cora, brother of White Sox third base coach Joey, played shortstop for the tribe. It was the first time I've ever seen him play at short. I was very impressed. He was smooth, made the routine plays look even simpler than they were, and converted multiple balls that I thought were going for hits into easy outs. If Jhonny Peralta doesn't have a hot start, I would be tempted to play Cora at short all year. He looked that good.

The last three games Ozzie Guillen has used Mr. Zero like he has Takatsu on his fantasy team. Shingo's line for his last two appearances?
```
          IP  H  ER  K  SV
Takatsu  0.2  0   0  2   2
```
He's recorded two of the cheapest saves you'll see all year.

The Sox have an off day tomorrow, and resume a three game set with the Tribe on Wednesday night. Jose Contreras (0-0, 1.50 in 2005; career 1-0, 1.31 vs. CLE) is scheduled to take the hill for the Sox, while Cliff Lee (0-0, 13.50 in 2005; career 2-2, 7.13 vs. CHW) goes to the mound for the Tribe.

Detroit's Dmitri Young thinks the Tribe represent the toughest competition in the AL Central.
"Forget the other teams," Young said to the strains of "Cripple Creek," "it's going to come down to us and Cleveland. No disrespect to the Twins and White Sox, I just feel that club, the doggone Indians, is going to be the thorn in our side."
It should be noted that the Tigers have only played the Royals and Indians, going 2-1 and 1-2 respectively. This is the type of quote that will look really funny at the end of the season when Detroit finishes under .500 for the 12th consecutive season, behind both of those teams he "meant no disrepect" to. Hopefully the Sox have this one placed prominently on the bulletin board in the clubhouse.

posted by The Cheat @ 6:56 PM | | |

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