• Two walk off wins in two days.  Last night, the Sox win in the bottom of the tenth on a home run by A.J. Pierzynski.  The only weakness this club has had all season long was the ability to win close games with clutch hits in the later innings.  At the risk of sounding like Captain Obvious, if they start doing that, they will win the division and perhaps more.
  
• I'm not worried about the Sox without Paul Konerko.  I am a bit concerned about the Sox without Bobby Jenks.
• The A's can pitch, but their hitting is not very good and they are further hampered by injuries, especially the one to third baseman Eric Chavez.  Still, they won't roll over easy this weekend.  The trick is getting into their pen.
• This story makes no sense.  Why would the Sox want or need C.C. Sabathia?  Why would they want to stock the Indians minor league system to be used against them in a couple of years?  If the Sox need anything, it's a center fielder or a couple of bench players and they don't even need that right now.  Besides, no team in baseball could afford to feed Sabathia and Bobby Jenks on the same roster.
• If Brett Favre seriously wants to come back, he'll screw the Packers up more than he will help them.  This could be a fascinating soap opera.  Ted Thompson, the Packers GM is handling the situation correctly but if Favre forces his hand by demanding a trade, look for Thompson to take heat not only from fans but from the entire state who worships Favre.  Stay tuned.
• It looks like the National League has finally caught up with Kosuke Fukudome the same way the American league has caught up with Carlos Quentin.  (Goat Riders of the Apocalypse)
• Why do people refuse to take the Twinkies seriously? (Bard's Room)
• Oscar Villarreal got sent out by the Astros.  You wonder if GM Ed Wade had armed guards at that meeting. (MLB Trade Rumors)
• The history of White Sox uniforms.  I love the current home pinstripes, but for some reason, I am Jonesing the 1970's red unis.  Anything is better than the softball unis of the late 70's or the clown suits of the early 80's. (via Sox machine)
• We're the Chicago Bears and we believe our division is so weak this year that we can win with unproven players.  Yeah, good luck with that.  The NFL is a little tougher than Conference U.S.A.  For that matter, so is the Arena League.
• You can think what you want about a certain basketball coach, but none of this stuff went on when he was a Indiana.  Ever. And what is it about being President of IU that makes you do and say stupid things? (Rumors and Rants)
  
• Apparently, Mr. and Mrs. A-Rod like hanging out with musicians. Can't wait for Hank's take.
  
• Where I come from, it's not unlawful termination when you try to strangle your boss...no matter how big an ass he is.  If no one would lose their job for strangling their bosses, don't you think everyone would do it?
• If Dollar Bill Wirtz weren't dead, this would have certainly killed him.  (Rumors and Rants)
  
• On behalf of Ashley Judd fans everywhere, please fix this.
• I could so see this happening(Serious Sports Network)
• Today's list: The 25 funniest people in America (EW)

• It looks like the Sox may be serious about moving Juan Uribe.  I hate to say this, but perhaps they should consider sending Pablo Ozuna out and keeping Uribe.  I still think Uribe, who can play short, third and second has some value over Ozuna who has struggled this year since coming back from a broken leg.  Let's not forget if the Sox do make the playoffs, Uribe's experience from 2005 will come in handy.
• I agree with Lou Piniella that he was "ambushed" by umpire Rob Drake Sunday night.  Piniella was told to go back to the dugout by first base umpire Chad Fairchild when he emerged to protest a check swing call.  On his way to complying with Fairchild's directive, Drake literally snuck up behind Piniella and ran him.  It's bad form when one ump shows up another, especially guys who are fill-in umpires.
• Ozzie Guillen says the only Sox flaw in the first half was clutch hitting.  Captain Obvious agrees.
• This should be made into a movie.
  

• Run support: The Sox hitters came through when they had to, despite two less than impressive starting outings from Jose Contreras and Javy Vazquez.  At this point of the season, your manager shouldn't have to go to the mound and yell at you in profane Spanish to get fired up.
• Q: Carlos Quentin looks like he is coming out of his slump.  Or he ordered what Aramis Ramirez had for breakfast prior to last week's series at Wrigley.
• Despite the fact it came off a rookie right hander, it was nice to see Jim Thome take one out last night.  The Sox will need him to have a strong finish if they want to make it to the promised land.  Likewise, Brian Anderson.
  
• The bullpen was awesome over the weekend.  The highlight?  Matt Thornton throwing absolute blue streaks on Saturday.  That used to be Carlos Marmol.
• Bobby Jenks sure makes it interesting doesn't he?
• Jermaine Dye, you da man.
  
• The Sox kept pace with the Twinkies, who beat an all-star yesterday and the Tigers who have won five in a row, including a weekend sweep of Colorado.  This, in my mind is the best thing that happened this weekend.  The Sox picked up a game on the Twinkies Saturday when Manny Parra was too much for Minnesota to handle.
• I was disappointed that Lou Piniella didn't get his money's worth last night in his somewhat lame attempt to get his team fired up.  After reading all the "Ozzie is crazy" stories all week long, it would have been nice to click on the paper this morning and read what a nit wit Lou was.  Home plate umpire Rob Drake is a coward for tossing Lou out behind his back.
  
• Nick Swisher played amazing defense at first base last night.
• More bending of the truth from the Chairman.  He should amend the statement to read "I wish we only played interleague games against the Cubs and only at U.S. Commiskey Park because then I have a full house and I can call it a premium game."  He's not fooling anyone, except those who also believe that the Pirates and Rockies were poor draws.  The Brewers and Cardinals?  Now that's big box office.
• Speaking of box office, memo to you Hollywood Types.  1) admit you are a Cubs fan and let it go. 2) admit the only reason you got into the game is because your sister is spokesperson for a big sponsor and 3) we don't wear fanny packs at U.S. Commiskey Park. Ever.
  

• What a ballgame yesterday.  Although Carlos "Lego Head" Quentin gets the props for his seventh inning jack off of struggling reliever Carlos "Dumbo Ears" Marmol, the real hero(s) of the game were the Sox bullpen.  Logan, Masett, Thornton, Linebrink and Jenks were fantastic, although Bobby, as usual, gave most Sox fans heart failure in the bottom of the ninth. One more game until we can get on with our lives.
• Where do I begin? To tell the story of how deep a love can be?  Okay, so maybe it isn't the love that's deep.
  
• On behalf of Chicago White Sox fans everywhere, God bless you Manny Parra.
• I love "Sox Side Sox", but I'm here to tell you, when it comes to the Twinkies, throw the numbers out the window.  They never play the way anyone predicts they will because they are well managed and take advantage of almost every opportunity they are given, especially late in the game.  Numbers be damned. (South Side Sox)
• Don Cooper's freak hammy injury has been a source of inspiration for the jolly jokesters on the White Sox.  BTW, memo to Thom and Gracie: The reason Ozzie is going to the mound and not Coop is that Coop would have to crawl.  (Bugs & Cranks)
  
• And while I'm on the subject, there were so many inaccuracies spewed by Fox yesterday, i thought Joe Morgan was on their crew.  "A rare start by DeWayne Wise."  Yeah, considering he's been with the team for about 10 or so games, I suppose that is okay.  Nothing on Coop's hammy or the story and some other stuff that was not rooted in fact.  Hopefully, ESPN will do better tonight.  Oh wait.  It's Joe Morgan again.  Maybe he'll tell us how the Sox used to dominate teams at U.S. Cellular Field in the sixties.
  
• Memo to Bud Selig: After you get rid of the maple bats, please do something about the aggressive umpires.  There is no excuse for this, ever. (Babes Love Baseball)
  
• Derrick Rose throws out the first pitch at Friday's Sox game.  Then does an interview with D.J. that would  have made you squirm.  One more thing kid.  Stay away from motorcycles.
  
• How in the hell does this happen?
• This ought to sell a few more cartons of Marlboros.
  
• Soccer?  You are quitting a perfectly good job for soccer? Voluntarily.  Please, get help.
• First Tim Russert,  Then, George Carlin.  Now this.
• You know what sucks?  If a woman, is, in actuality, a bitch, you cannot say that publicly without being assailed in the press and then having to have a come to Jesus meeting with a she male.  Justin Gimelstob trained with Anna Kournikova.  Just another example of how the Internet has changed everything and how the media controls public opinion.  The only way to make it stop is to "apologize."
• Zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz.
• Before Rick Hendrick fired Casey Mears, I hope he thought about the last guy he fired.
• Although Denny Hamlin looks good, I like Jeff Gordon today in New Hampshire.
• The thing about the Shawn Chacon situationthat I find the most interesting is that people aren't necessarily running to the defense of Astros GM Ed Wade.  That is very telling.  All of us have had an obnoxious, know it all boss we wanted to choke at one time or another.  There is one in particular I should have. (Biz of Baseball)
• SSN takes a look at the Chairman. (Serious Sports Network)
• EDSBS is hysterically sorry. (Every Day Should Be Saturday)
• Here's something White Sox fans would welcome. (Serious Sports Network)
• If this doesn't get turned in to an episode of Law and Order, nothing will.
• This is why we will never do anything about illegal immigration in this country.  Especially if Mr. Obama is correct.
• Today's list: Twenty interesting cartoon voices.  Is it just me or does everyone miss Mel Blanc?
  

The Good

• Orlando Cabrera's ability to get on base and torture both pitchers and corner outfielders.
  • Fourteen his from six players including multiple hits from Cabrera, Piersynski, Quentin, Dye, and Swisher.  Every player in the starting line up got on base at least once.
  • Seven run third
  • Timely hitting
  • Holding Lee, Ramirez and Ward hitless and enticing Lee to ground into two double plays.
    
  • Great at bats, like Carlos Quentin in the first inning.
  • Carlos Quentin seems like he's starting to come out of the slump.
    
  • Jermaine Dye's crashing, tumbling catch to end the game, which let's face it, with a seven run lead, a lot of guys wouldn't have made.
  • Jose Contreras being awful again but this time pitching out of it.
  • Boone Logan, Octavio Dotel and Nick Masset.
  • Beating a quality team without Paul Konerko and Alexi Ramirez.
  • The aggressive base running, especially Cabrera.
  • Knocking out the Cubs ace decisively in the first game of the series.  Momentum Sox!
  • Making the Cubs go deep into their pen for a second straight day while the Sox got some rest for Linebrink, Jenks and Thornton.
    

  The Bad

  • Jose Contreras is going to drive Ozzie nuts.
  • Jim Thome and Joe Crede are still struggling badly.
  • Three Cub homers (thankfully all solo shots).

  The Ugly

  • Watching Eric Patterson play left field was painful even for a Sox fan.  The first inning looked like a little league game
  • The Milwaukee Brewers bullpen couldn't hold their butts with their left hands.
  • Some idiot who called The Score after the game and demanded the Sox trade Jim Thome for a center fielder.  I felt bad for Ranger at that point.  Ranger to his credit was polite.  He may have a future working with the mentally challenged.  Also, the two guys on ESPN 1000 who talked about how when Contreras struggles, he pouts and slows down the ball game.  Nicely played, guys.
  • Hawk calling Nick Swisher "Steve" not once, but at least two or three times.  I'll give Hawk the benefit of the doubt and say he did it because he was excited.
    

• A road win is a road win even if it is against a not so good team.  It's really sad when you have to go 2022.55 miles to get one instead of just nine.  And by the way, the Twinkies are red hot.  Two in a row, anybody?
• One jerkoff complaining about another. Actually, since there is a vacancy, I do know someone who is qualified. Of course, in this day and age that probably is a deterrent.
  
• Boy, are people desperate to affirm the Cubs or what?
• Speaking of the Cubs, the Orioles go where the White Sox fear to tread.
• I know MLB keeps talking about maple bats, but they better do something quickly before someone gets killed.
• There is no doubt the Bears are better off without Cedric "Please Blow Into This Tube" Benson.  (Scout.com)
• Tom Fornelli has some issues with Hawk Harrelson's incessant whining.  I agree. Unless it's Phil Cuzzi.  Then, game on. (Foul Balls)
• Apparently hating the Cubs is not just for White Sox and Cardinal fans anymore. (Bugs & Cranks)
• This may be the last time you see Barry Melrose smile for the next couple of years. (Awful Announcing)
• Faux homage to a fallen genius by Chicago's skippers. (Serious Sports network)
• Barach Obama has been called a lot of things, but this may be over the line (The Big Lead)
• Today's List: 30 observations by the late, great George Carlin. (DBKP)

• The Sox are 17-23 on the road, even when the road is in their own backyard.
• While John Danks looked good on Friday, Jose Contreras and Javy Vazquez stunk.  The biggest fear Sox fans had was that the solid pitching would cool down before the offense could hit consistently. That day is here, my friends.
• Octavio Dotel struggled mightily all weekend.  It may be time to put Nick Masset in the as the first setup guy and let Dotel work cleanup for awhile until he can right his ship.  Of course, it's hard to justify paying a guy $4.5 million to work cleanup.  Given the state of the Sox inconsistent offense and the fact that at least two of the starters are starting to get whacked around, there should be plenty of work for Dotel even in a cleanup role.
• The Sox have enough talent to win without Paul Konerko and Jim Thome in the lineup.  Or do they?
• The Sox have a losing record with teams with a .500 or better record.  I think they've won one or two series against those teams.  This is a huge red flag.
• Teams now have a book on Carlos Quentin and whatever the scouts are recommending, it's working.
  
• In case you haven't noticed, the Twinkies are 1½ games out.  The Tigers, who have apparently fixed their problems are only five out.  There is a lot of baseball left to be played this summer and if the Sox want to stay where they are, they had better get in gear before they become a footnote at the end of July.

• Here's what's so funny about Cub fans and Jim Edmonds.  When he first came to the team, the fans hated him because he played for the Cardinals and he was a hot dog.  He also appeared to be washed up.  But when you hit two home runs against the White Sox in one inning, perhaps there can be love. It's amazing how fast a Cub player can go from goat to hero. Oh, did I say goat?
  
• Jose Contreras saves his finest hour for the Cubs.  Contreras says he cannot remember an inning like the one he had yesterday.  Yeah, that's because anyone else would have pulled your sorry ass from the game after the Marquis single.
• The last two games have been a field day for Sox bashers.  First Couch and then the Big Boy himself.  We'll all see what tune they will be whistling at the end of the season.  Especially the Big Boy, who doesn't even go to the games.
• The White Sox have one more opportunity to right the ship tonight.  They need to, not because it's the Cubs, but because the Twinkies and Tigers keep winning.
• Here's what I don't understand.  If you expected more from your team and they didn't deliver and now you have to change managers, isn't hiring the bench coach just adding to the problem?  Besides, Jerry Manuel has obviously flipped out since the Sox fired him. (The Big Lead)
• Some other, more humane ways, the Mets and Willie Randolph could have parted company. (Sports hernia Blog)
  
• It would be a shame if these boys went out of business.  Not.  Can you imagine the angst if they were in real trouble and were considering moving?  There would be bake sales, church raffle nights, little kids with jars of pennies, middle aged men selling cheese at stop lights.  Please make it so.
• Why is it when any announcer says anything remotely funny, tongue in cheek or totally in jest that the network panics and the guy has to spray all over himself apologizingor risk getting axed.  This was not like the golf channel comments were.  Not even close.  Everyone, please loosen your sphincter.
• When a great player is uncertain whether he will retire or come back, that's code for "I want to win NOW and if you can't put a championship caliber team around me right this minute, I'll try to catch lightning in a bottle somewhere else."
• Finally, a good guy who has been way off the radar gets a chance.
• There is nothing funny about what happened to this car.
• Bobby Stompyand Rickhouse sure hate the Cubs.  (Tremendous Upside Potential)
• As I pointed out yesterday, the biggest reason for pulling John Danks on Friday was National League rules (as in laws, not as in is superior.) (Sox Machine)
• Javon Walker explains about waking up on that sidewalk in Vegas.  (Kissing Suzy Kolber)
• What do you call it when you bring the Budweiser horses into Milwaukee, have them pee in Lake Michigan and then try to sell it in bottles?  This.
• Can you imagine being this guy?
• Today's list: AFI's top ten sports movies (Sportsfilter)
  

Advantage: Cubs

Slight Advantage: Sox

Advantage: Sox

Advantage: Draw

Advantage: Sox

Advantage: Cubs

Slight Advantage: Cubs

Big advantage: Cubs

Advantage: Sox

Big Advantage: Sox

Final Countdown: Sox two games to one