Some linkaliciousness

"We've played well after what was basically a Murphy's Law start to the season: injuries, poor performances, some critical pieces written (some deserved, some not). I give a lot of credit to Wash [manager Ron Washington] for the way he responded to everything, maintained a level head and positive attitude, and kept our guys focused. We've played good baseball while Ron's blended a lot of new faces into the mix. Several trade acquisitions have contributed immediately and we've pitched considerably better the past three months. [David] Murphy's been impressive -- not just the hot start statistically as much as the way he's played the game. High energy, quality defense, challenging defenders on the basepaths -- it's early but he's made an impression with the staff. Salty and Gabbard [Jarrod Saltalamacchia and Kason Gabbard] have paid dividends quickly as well -- Kason really knows how to pitch. Probably the most exciting thing is the way the whole organization has been energized by the influx of talent, from top to bottom. Between our five first-round picks, the players added at the deadline, our efforts in Latin America, and the improvement of a lot of players already in the system, we're a lot healthier now than we've been in some time. It's going to be fun."

The White Sox will probably let John Danks rest the remainder of the season after he lasted only 2 2/3 innings in Tuesday's starts.

The Danks-Brandon McCarthy comparison haven't been heard around these parts nearly as much since Danks started stinking up in the joint.

Unfortunately, the Astros are notoriously conservative in the upper rounds of the draft, not going over slot in any significant way unless the player happens to be Roger Clemens' son.