Offense, Bullpen Bad Again in 5-1 Loss to Yankees (Game 151, ’08)

I’ll take the Twins’ loss to the Indians, keeping them 2 1/2 games behind the Sox after tonight.  But in a way, it really doesn’t matter what they do if the Sox cannot take care of their own business.  The bullpen has been bad for a while now, and was once again tonight, with Linebrink still ineffective.  There is nobody but Thornton and Jenks that can be relied upon, and unless the starters all pitch complete games with little given up as was the case in the ALCS in ’05, the Sox will do little in the playoffs, if they get there.  Guys need to pitch better.  They either do it or they don’t.  If they don’t, it’s over, and it’s sad because the White Sox could have been a whole lot better than they have shown themselves to be this season.  As it is, it is quite the turnaround from the disaster of ’07, but that does not excuse lack of execution with leadoff doubles and bullpen meltdowns.  They’ll go for the split tomorrow…