Game of the Week: June 27: CHW @ BOS

[Commissioner Erick]

Chicago White Sox (45-32) @ Boston Red Sox (47-33)


CHW: Jeff Stricker (6-4, 4.92)
BOS: Chris Donelson (8-5, 5.32)


The Chicago White Sox are in the midst of a remarkable season thanks to the stewardship of Zigmo Thedogo. When Thedogo took over in 2029, Chicago had little youth, a bloated payroll, dead money, and little hope for the future as they were left with a flaming bag from Steve Strzepek. After a couple of years in the wilderness, he built a respectable team last year with a great farm. Chicago now has the best farm in baseball, a potent young core, good veterans, and a chance to win the AL Central.

They’ll take on a Red Sox team led by Mike Ball, that has some parallels to Thedogo’s situation. Mike Ball was once the White Sox GM with a fairly bleak outlook that he managed to transform well ahead of schedule. He also once had to follow Steve Strzepek and deal with the leaking garbage bag that situation entails. Ball has won at least 90 games every season since 2027 and has a title under his belt, offering a promising future for Thedogo’s White Sox.


Questions for the GMs


For Zigmo Thedogo, you recently dealt Quadir Murriel for Robby Bloomquist. Why did you make that move?

What role will the newly acquired Emmanuel Tapia play for your club?

Quinn Chamberlain is on the IL, but should be back before too long. Matt Aceto has struggled to get on base all year. Is Aceto’s starting job in jeopardy when Chamberlain heals?

For Mike Ball, Luis Morales will miss more than a month with a torn labrum. Who will replace him in the rotation?

Chris Donelson was excellent for you last year and in the 2031 postseason, but has a 5.32 ERA this year. Why has he fallen off this season?

You turned around the White Sox and Red Sox in short order. Which one was a more unexpected rise to glory?


TRIVIA: Thanks to Kenny Saenz and Alvaro Vasquez, the White Sox have the most 30th round draft picks to make the PBA with two. What team has the most WAR from 30th round draft picks?

[Zigmo-Whitesox]

You recently dealt Quadir Murriel for Robby Bloomquist. Why did you make that move?

We were looking for a reliable arm to strengthen the back of our bullpen.  We are tied for the league lead in blown saves with 18.  Bloomquist has been very good the last few years and the hope is we can convert a few more of those opportunities in what looks to be a very tight AL playoff race.

What role will the newly acquired Emmanuel Tapia play for your club?

He will likely be a bench bat and give the Telmo some days off vs righties.  Hard to tell if he will stay with the club all year or not as we do like Kevin Hughes down in AAA as a lefty 1B with some power and eye.

Quinn Chamberlain is on the IL, but should be back before too long. Matt Aceto has struggled to get on base all year. Is Aceto’s starting job in jeopardy when Chamberlain heals?

Yeah Aceto will take on more of a utility role again when Chamberlain returns.  He's played games at 5 positions for us this year and hit for enough power that we still see him as a valuable contributor but that .276 OBP is not ideal.

[Mike RedSox]

Luis Morales will miss more than a month with a torn labrum. Who will replace him in the rotation?

Not much depth, but Dale Messina is coming back soon, so short term it will be Juan Serrato doing a start are two.

Chris Donelson was excellent for you last year and in the 2031 postseason, but has a 5.32 ERA this year. Why has he fallen off this season?

Well, I think he's pitching well, but the BABIP has clicked up, his FIP is good, so I think some of it's defense, luck and inherited runners.

You turned around the White Sox and Red Sox in short order. Which one was a more unexpected rise to glory?

Finally, someone has asked me the secret to my sauce... When you've got money, like, a ton of money you want 3 great hitters, 3 good hitters and 3 average hitters.  You want 3 great starters, 3 great relievers and a bunch of dudes that don't suck.  You can buy average players, you can seek out good players and you can buy great players.  Once you do that, you let the season play out and collect your winnings.  Don't sign terrible contracts, but bad contracts are ok if you get a ton of production up front.  Seek out expensive 1 year deals.  Watch the waiver wire.  Look for teams dumping good contracts b/c of financial issues.

[Commissioner Erick]

Red Sox 10 - White Sox 8


WP: C. Donelson (9-5)
LP: J. Stricker (6-5)
SV: S. Hartman (27)


The Boston Red Sox beat the Chicago White Sox, 10-8, at Fenway Park. The Red Sox got a fine performance from first baseman Joel McCabe, who was 2 for 2 with a home run and 3 walks. He scored 3 runs. With the win, Boston raised its record to 48-33.

Luis Morales, who is tied for 7th in the AL in triples with 4, came through for Boston with a run-scoring double in the bottom of the third. The center fielder went 2 for 5 for the game, including 1 home run and 1 double. He scored 2 runs and collected 2 runs batted in.

"I'm just looking to see the ball, hit the ball," said McCabe.


Questions for the GMs:


For Zigmo Thedogo, Matt Aceto pulled up lame with a hamstring injury. What's his outlook moving forward?

Boston went 10-21 on balls in play. Do you feel like your defense could have helped your staff out better today?

Telmo Aldegas pinch hit and hit into a double play. Have you been satisfied with his performance this year?

For Mike Ball, Gabe Bonilla homered and stole a base, so it's safe to say he's shaken off the rust. Will he continue to be hitting leadoff moving forward?

Brock Paradiso went 0-3, struck out twice, and was caught trying to steal. Is his job in Left Field safe?

Your club is opening up a nice size lead in the AL East. Do you plan on making any moves to upgrade your team with the deadline approaching?



TRIVIA: Since 2029, five White Sox have scored over 100 runs. Who are the five?

[Zigmo-Whitesox]

For Zigmo Thedogo, Matt Aceto pulled up lame with a hamstring injury. What's his outlook moving forward?

He will be purely used the next few weeks to sub in for players if they are tired.  We will try to limit his playing time and with the all star break approaching hopefully he doesn't see the field often.  

Boston went 10-21 on balls in play. Do you feel like your defense could have helped your staff out better today?

Yeah definitely we need the defense to play at a higher level.  Our team was envisioned to be a very high end defensive squad and we are currently just about average.  This needs to improve in the second half.

Telmo Aldegas pinch hit and hit into a double play. Have you been satisfied with his performance this year?

It has been disappointing thusfar he had an amazing second half last season though so hopefully he has that in him again.

[Mike RedSox]

Gabe Bonilla homered and stole a base, so it's safe to say he's shaken off the rust. Will he continue to be hitting leadoff moving forward?

100%, really needed him to shore up the offense since...

Brock Paradiso went 0-3, struck out twice, and was caught trying to steal. Is his job in Left Field safe?

It's safe, but only because there's nobody else coming for his job, unless we see something interesting on the waiver wire he's it.

Your club is opening up a nice size lead in the AL East. Do you plan on making any moves to upgrade your team with the deadline approaching?

I'm broke and my minor leagues are fairly depleted, just praying for health now.

[Commissioner Erick]

TRIVIA 1: Luke correctly guessed Toronto