Lucas Giolito was ace-like once again today, but the White Sox’ struggles against the Athletics continued today. The South Siders never mounted much of a rally against Chris Bassitt or the rest of the bullpen, as the team fell to 52-64 with the Astros coming to town.
W: Chris Bassit (8-5) | L: Lucas Giolito (12-6, 3.42) | S: Liam Hendricks (12)
The Good
- Lucas Giolito: 6 IP, 5 H, 2 ER, 1 BB, 13 K, 20 Swinging Strikes
The Bad
- The Offense: 5 H, 9 K, 2 BB
Moment of the Game
Lucas Giolito has been excellent as he has established himself as a crucial member of the 2020 rotation and beyond. With 13 strikeouts today, Giolito broke his old personal high of 11, falling just three strikeouts short of Jack Harshman‘s record of 16 for the White Sox (set back in 1954).
Stats On 35th – Let’s Break this One Down by the Numbers
Today’s Numbers:
6.2/-17.6, 271, 13, 8, 10
6.2/-17.6
Today’s MVP and LVP, in terms of Win Probability Added (WPA) are Jimmy Cordero and Yolmer Sanchez. Cordero added 6.2 percentage points to the Sox’ chances today, throwing two strong innings out of the bullpen, giving up no runs and striking out three. Yolmer Sanchez was 0-for-3 with a strikeout today, subtracting 17.6 percentage points from the Sox’ chances today.
13
Lucas Giolito registered 13 strikeouts in today’s loss, falling just three short of Jack Harshman’s 1954 record but setting his own new career best. He had 20 swinging strikes today, which is an incredible number, but is somehow only tied for the fourth most of his season. This speaks to the incredible stuff Giolito has had throughout the season.
271
The White Sox entered this game 29th in baseball in walks as a team, with just 271 on the season before this game. They added just two more walks today, which unfortunately will not move them up past the lowly Tigers, who came into today’s game with 309 walks on the season. The White Sox and Marlins are the only two teams in baseball without 300 walks on the season.
8
The White Sox are glad to see the A’s leaving town once again. The A’s have given the South Siders nothing but problems this year, going 5-1 against the Sox and allowing just eight runs in six games. The only team the White Sox have had more problems with this season is the Mets, who the Sox only scored four runs against in a three game sweep earlier this season. The White Sox had a chance to be the first AL Central tea to beat the A’s in a series in recent memory, but with the loss, saw the A’s move to 16-0-2 in their last 18 series against AL Central teams.
10
The White Sox’ offensive struggles have been no secret this season. With the shutout loss today, the White Sox were shut out for the 10th time this season and fifth time since the All-Star Break. Unfortunately, things don’t get any easier next series.
The Game Ahead: The Astros come to town
- Monday: Dylan Cease (2-4, 6.00 ERA) vs. Zack Greinke (11-4, 3.08 ERA), 7:10 PM CT – Guaranteed Rate Field
Player of the Game
You know what to do – vote here for the player of today’s game! As always, let us know in the comments if you think it should be someone else!
