What I'd really do if I were the Sox...

Well, hey, I can't complain too much, honestly. And it's not as though I gave up on the Sox. But you know what, going into these playoffs, it was pretty much a tall order for them to get anywhere, and they really honestly resembled the team that they were during the regular season. Hot and cold, little situational hitting ability and spotty bullpen work at best. Even if they'd beaten the Rays, the odds, realistically, of them winning it all this year were slim. So, I suppose I can say I'm OK with this. Not happy, not pleased, but OK.

So, now it's time to fix the team. I mentioned a couple days ago that I don't care what the Sox end up doing this postseason, this roster needs to be blown up completely. I said Alexei, Quentin, Danks, Floyd and Jenks are the only untouchables, but here's my much more realistic opinion.

I'd like to see them part ways, somehow, with (in terms of "major" contributors): Contreras, Boone Logan, MacDougal, Cabrera, Griffey, Wise, Vazquez, Thome (retire, please). I like Thome and all, but we need guys that are not on the down side of their careers, even if they're Hall of Famers who are left-handed hitters. If Thome stays, then you righty-lefty platoon him and Konerko at DH. Dewayne Wise should go back to Birmingham and help the Barons win championships, because he certainly can't judge anything in left field. There's a reason he's a career minor-leaguer.

You let Swisher play first, Quentin in left field and give Owens the full-time job in center and at leadoff. Brian Anderson remains on as the #4 outfielder, mostly because he can't lead off. Alexei can play short, and Uribe can stay on (for CHEAP) as a utility infielder/defensive replacement. Second base, we'd either have to sign someone or see if Chris Getz is ready. The rotation should be Danks, Floyd, Buerhle, Broadway and either Richard or this Aaron Poreda supposed phenom they have.

The bullpen? Ha. I'm not touching that one.

Either way, we have to get some speed at the top...Owens has to be given another legitimate shot. Period. And they have to be patient. Very patient.

For now though, I'm going to focus on the Bears, I guess. Let's hope they continue their winning ways...

Game 3 thoughts, postgame...

--Twice this week, I've been to Sox games, and twice this week, I've sat through rain delays. Of course, this time I was smart and my bro and I got there super early, went to the Bullpen Sports Bar and got a table. So when the rains came, we had seats and could watch the Bears beat up on the Lions. Plus, this time, I didn't have my poncho. So I wasn't gonna get soaked.

--I wish I'd brought my camera into the park though, because after the rain cleared out, it was great. And let me tell you, it was really cool to see all those el-cheapo rally towels being swung around by the fans. Why El Cheapo towels? I believe everyone in attendance who participated in the Rolling Blackout (by wearing all black) looked like they had dandruff. The towels were shedding like crazy. It was brutal.

--Was glad to see that we could win a game without the benefit of a home run. This is the kind of clutch hitting we need. Unfortunately, these three games are really no more than a microcosm of how much of the season has gone for the Sox. Hit some days, don't hit some other days.

--I have a ton of confidence in Gavin Floyd. What I'm more worried about, in reference to the previous point as well, is our matchup against Sonnenstine. We've not showed well, at least when I've watched earlier this year, against him, even though his numbers aren't ace-worthy. Let's hope that the tables have turned.

--Can somebody tell me if indeed it's true that if the White Sox should win this series and move on to play the Red Sox (assuming they win), that the White Sox would get home-field advantage in the next series, based on the seeding (Red Sox being the wild card), rather than the record? I thought that was how it worked, but I don't remember for sure. Can someone clarify as to whether I should be a Red Sox fan temporarily?

--Lastly, it's back to work for me tomorrow. This week was a nice week off, even though I didn't get as much done around the house as I wanted. I did get up on the roof and took a look around, also fixing the broken downspout, and finished tearing off the wood paneling in the basement family room. So at least something was done. That's good. But, I'm fast running out of time to do this damned fence. And it's looking as though it's not going to be as simple as 1-2-3. That's bad news. Oh well...I'll think happy thoughts and go to sleep, and that will make everything all better. Yeah, right...