So far, the White Sox are oh for Cleveland.  The first game, a thrill a minute shoot out gave you hope.  The second,a 7-2 yawner was a flashback to all of the things that went wrong last year.

While it's hard to blame Sox starter Javy Vasquez who at times looked like he was going to turn into a block of ice, the Sox offense once again folded against a pitcher who threw primarily breaking pitches (Fausto Carmona.) The Sox left nine men on, although once again the umpires did them no favors with a rally killing terrible call on a Joe Crede ground ball in the seventh.  The also grounded into two double plays.

Rookie Alexi Ramirez did get his first hit of the year after the horse was way out of the barn, but still is struggling.  Here's hoping that Ozzie gives Brain Anderson a chance this afternoon.  With jerry Owens set to come back on Tuesday, newspaper reports say either Anderson or Carlos Quentin will get the bus ticket to Charlotte.  If I ran the zoo, it would be Ramirez.

Speaking of bus tickets to nowhere, how about Mike MacUseless.  Brought in to hold the Indians down in the sixth and seventh, MacUseless was a train wreck giving up two runs, on three hits with three walks.  I know that Don Cooper thinks MacUseless can be rehabilitated, but it is obviously in the guy's head.  There is no way anyone, not Kenny, not Ozzie, can convince me that Ehren Wasserman wouldn't have been more effective last night.  And there in lies the rub: For all of Ozzie's bellowing after the game about not protecting players, MacUseless appears to have a force field around him.  Yes, I know it's only one outing, but when you open the season against your three fiercest division rivals, winning is of the essence.  While the loss had little to do with MacUseless, his continued death spiral must be a cause for concern.

Lightning Round

• Larry Bowa's outrage is justified considering the sudden selective enforcement of the coach's box by umpire Ed Montague.  The rule wasn't enforced in spring training, nor in the first game and suddenly and without warning, Montague takes out his rule book and decides to enforce the law.  The umpire compounded things to when Bowa was being restrained by continuing to walk toward him and jaw.  MLB MUST begin to police these umpires and make them less confrontational.  Nobody comes to the ball park to see an umpire.
• Tom Crean is a great hire for Indiana.  If people are wondering why he got an eight year deal, it's most likely to protect him when and if Indiana receives NCAA sanctions from Kelvin Sampson's over zealousness with cell phones.  And for my friends in Milwaukee, I have two words to say to you: Keno Davis.
• No matter if they make the playoffs this year or not, this Chicago Blackhawk team is going to be fun to watch in the future.  They totally outclassed the Red Wings last night. I hope this is the beginning of a hockey renaissance in Chicago.  Both the team and the league need it.  Commit to the Indian, baby!
• As bad as the White Sox looked last night, you have to wonder about the much hyped Cubs who have dropped two games to the Brewers.  Alfonso Soriano has to be one of the biggest babies in baseball in thatif he doesn't lead off he's rendered non-productive.  How many years left on this guy's contract are there?
• The Yosh Kawano era has apparently ended.