Earlier today I said that I didn't see the White Sox as much of a threat in the AL Central... I still stand by that statement, but I think Mark Buehrle must be an avid reader of Zeus of Sport because he went out and pitched a perfect game. So I'm sure you're now saying... yeah, but I bet it was against the Nationals or something. No. He did it against one of the most prolific offenses in all of baseball: The Tampa Bay Rays. All I can really say is "wow". Seriously. Wow. Here's a summary of the game, and highlights to watch what happened. He pitched 9 innings (obviously), gave up no hits (obviously), no walks (obviously), and had 6 strikeouts. That's a lot of balls put into play to not have a single player reach base. He is the 24th pitcher in MLB history to pitch more than one no-hitter in a career (he pitched a no-no in 2007) and the 16th to pitch a perfect game. Apparently there was some great defense played, especially in the 9th inning by Dewayne Wise (spelling is correct). Impressive work by the White Sox, and especially Buehrle who saw 27 and sat down 27.
Check out this video to see Dewayne Wise's catch to save Buehrle's perfect game [video via Comcast]:
Here are the numbers for the Rays offense. They makes Buehrle's feat even more impressive:
2009 American League Ranks for the Rays
| AVG | R | OBP | SLG | OPS | SB |
| .270 | 501 | .353 | .450 | .803 | 140 |
| 3rd | 3rd | 2nd | 3rd | 2nd | 1st |
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ReplyDeletewe do our best
ReplyDeleteCramer, although I do appreciate your respectful appreciation in this article, I must comment on one thing. You clearly have not grown up in Chicago or watched much of the White Sox to claim they are not a threat in the AL Central. Not only are they the ONLY consistant threat in the AL Central (winning the division the most throughout the last decade), but they have been playing better baseball now then ever. Not to mention, they just got Carlos Quentin back, soon to be followed by Bartolo Colon and Freddy Garcia. There is talk that the White Sox are still a top contender in the Roy Halladay sweepstakes. Their offensive potency is unquestionable, and their pitching is looking upward. Having grown up and watched the White Sox, and following them closely throughout the season, I'm not only going to call you ignorant, I am going to make a counter-statement. They are a World Series contender. The pieces are falling into place. Kenny Williams will patch up any minor holes in the bullpen and the 4/5 spots in the rotation. Look out, here come the White Sox.
ReplyDeleteRespectfully,
ML
Posting these updates so quickly...you guys need to get real jobs.
ReplyDeleteML, I appreciate your post, and I do remember speaking to you in the Elder lounge about Chicago earlier in the season... you said, very sure of yourself, that Chicago would win the division no doubt. I would say they are the third best team in their division, and I would be willing to bet that they don't end up winning the central. The twins have been the class of the AL Central for this decade. They haven't had a down year like Chicago has. If they win the World Series, or even make the playoffs, I will respectfully post an apology to all White Sox fans here on Zeus of Sport. I feel confident that will not happen.
ReplyDeletePeace and love,
MC
couldn't agree with ML any more. After I read the MLB predictions, I thought to myself, is this person watching what's going on? The White Sox just took 3/4 from the Devil Rays.
ReplyDeleteand ML, I checked the stats on their "unquestionable offensive potency" and you might want to look at them yourself before you make that statement. Their best hitter is Scotty P at .304, they are 10th in the AL in Runs (out of 14)
ReplyDeleteAVG R OBP SLG OPS SB
.264 435 .334 .424 .758 62
7th 10th 8th 8th 9th 6th
those are not the offensive numbers of a playoff team with middle of the pack pitching.
Additionally, I think the acquisition of Doc would make any team any team in the running an immediate contender... So, if Chicago is to land him, I would obviously rethink my choice... but as of now I'm not budging on my statements.
ReplyDeleteZeus -
ReplyDeleteAfter reading your atrociously far-fetched and possibly uneducated MLB predictions, I may no longer be following your blog (kidding...but they were bad). The twins are a joke, they don't have the pitching to compete. The Chicago White Sox are putting the pieces together and are getting all their stars healthy. Tell me you want to pitch through a lineup that contains Pods, Dye, Konerko, Quentin, Thome, and lets not forget the up and coming Beckham who has been an absolute stud. I have never seen a player so consistently hit liners. Granted his defense is still a ways off of where it needs to be, but I love what I see for the youngster. They have the pitching not only to compete, but to dominate. I predict they pull away and win it by a comfortable 4-5 games ahead in the Central. Get off the stats and watch the team play. Their team chemistry is undeniable (throwing pies around, jumpin like a buncha kids - its undeniable they just love to play). They have been one of the hottest teams in baseball not by chance, but because everyone is getting healthy and the pieces are falling into place. Also, it was absolutely ignorant to call the AL Central the worst division in baseball. Look westward my son. Good luck - get off the numbers and watch a game.
Disrespectfully and sick of ignorance,
ML
Mark, the AL Central bottom feeders make the AL Central the worst division in baseball. The Royals and the Indians are a joke. I don't find that ignorant at all. Additionally, the Twins pitching is pretty much on par with the White Sox. If you expect Buehrle to pitch a perfect game every time out there you may be in good shape, but otherwise the difference between the two teams pitching staffs is marginal. I would much rather pitch to that line-up than Mauer and Morneau with any other 7 hitters. Also, I picked the Tigers to win... which I stand by.
ReplyDeleteYeah, THIS is the White Sox year.
ReplyDeleteWell "THIS" is without a doubt not the white sox year. However whether you are a cubs lover and a sox hater everybody should tip their hat to Mark. Even though the AL central is a joke the whitesox still do not have a chance at the division. So for all you diehard sox fans out their i wouldn't get your hopes too high you will only be hurt in the end...
ReplyDeleteI do tip my hat to White Sox fans (and Cleveland Indian fans and all other long suffering fans). It is remarkable that these teams have such intensely loyal fanbases.
ReplyDelete