J-Rod over at Midwest Sports Fans wrote an interesting piece the other day about how Carlos Quentin and Gordon Beckham will be the faces of the franchise for the next several years.  I compare Q to a young Big Hurt...brooding, self consumed and hell bent to be the best hitter on the planet and Beckham to Robin Ventura, easy going, fun loving and clutch in every sense of the word.

Sure, the jury is out on both of them, but things are shaping that way.

Last night, it was home runs by The Savior and Q that gave the Sox an early 2-0 lead.  However, Jose Contreras, who looks like he did back in April again, went wild in the third and gave the lead back to the Angels.  After some see-sawing, it was oldie but goodie Scott Podsednik who won the game with an RBI single in the bottom of the ninth, coming away with a 5-4 Sox win.

It was a fun game, and once again it was the White Sox in a close game against a good team scratching, clawing and doing everything they could to stay in it.  This is the kind of effort Sox fans have come to expect under Ozzie Guillen's regime.  The best part is even though the starting pitching and the middle of the order were off, others stepped into the void.  D.J. Carrasco, Randy Williams, Tony Pena and Matt Thornton shut the door in relief, while The Savior, Jayson Nix and Scotty Pods provided the majority of the offense.

Coupled with Detroit's loss last night, the Sox sit one game behind the Tigers.  Tonight, the Sox send Pink Gavin Floyd to the mound against Sean O'Sullivan, who has never faced the White Sox.  Uh-oh.

Lightning Round

• The Cheat is concerned that since the Sox had to burn Carrasco last night, the fifth starter slot may become an issue Saturday night.  (South Side Sox)
• Scotty Pods has been the Sox MVP this year with several clutch hits and insuring the stability of the leadoff position.  The big question is will he be back next year?
• The Sox will be without Bobby Jenks for a couple of games.  Apparently he is too stoned to pitch.  Seriously dude, you're going to have lay off the cheese and ice cream for awhile.
• It's been sixteen years since the most famous noogie in baseball history.  At the time, it really ticked me off, but now, the idea of a guy in his forties beating up a kid in his twenties appeals to me.  (Diamond Hoggers)
• I was forced to watch the Angels version of the game on TV last night.  This guy, Rory Markis, yelled the whole time.  Not, like Hawk yelling, I mean this guy did a baseball game like John Madden does football, except he did play by play.  It was awful.  For all of you that want new Sox announcers, be careful what you wish for.  Even Farmio was decent compared to this guy.
• Now that Jim Balsille has leaked The Chairman's evil plan to the public, The Chairman isn't so hot on purchasing the Phoenix Coyotes anymore.  Basically, The Chairman's plan is to move the franchise after five years if he isn't making money, something Balsille wants to do right now.  Where you could relocate an NHL franchise in the states (Portland?  Memphis?  Kansas City) is a bit confusing as well. (Foul Balls)
• Nice photoshop from Rickhouse. (Tremendous Upside Potential)
• The Savior gets noticed.  In fact, he's even on the radar at the WWL.  (via Sox and the City)
• The Savior wasn't the only one who got props.  (Being Ozzie Guillen)
• I spent a couple of years covering and announcing the AFL.  This is sad.  It also makes two leagues I have worked in that have folded.