Week 5 Record: 5-2 | Overall: 26-15, 1st in AL Central
Every week here at Sox on 35th, I’ll be wrapping up the past week of baseball in case you missed any of the games. Here you’ll find the score recaps, links to box scores, and, as we build this out, more recaps based on some of your thoughts as fans. Stay tuned for some fun here!
After struggling a bit against Minnesota early in the week, the White Sox got back on track in Kansas City, sweeping a four game set before a fitting off day for Labor Day. With the Twins and Indians playing each other this week, the White Sox have the opportunity to put a little bit of room between themselves and the other frontrunners for the AL Central title before playing 17 games in 17 days to end the season.
Let’s take a look back at the week!
Tale of the Tape
Game 35: White Sox 8 – Twins 5 | Box Score | Recap
Game 36: White Sox 2 – Twins 3 | Box Score | Recap
Game 37: White Sox 1 – Twins 8 | Box Score | Recap
Game 38: White Sox 11 – Royals 6 | Box Score | Recap
Game 39: White Sox 7– Royals 4 | Box Score | Recap
Game 40: White Sox 5 – Royals 3 | Box Score | Recap
Game 41: White Sox 8 – Royals 2 | Box Score | Recap
Jordan’s Weekly Wrap-Up Thoughts
This was yet another good week for the White Sox in that they beat up on the team that they needed to. However, at the same time, the White Sox struggled against the Twins, and many fans were none too pleased about this.
First of all, let’s discuss something that’s pretty straight forward: good teams consistently beat bad teams. The White Sox beating up on Kansas City, Pittsburgh, and Detroit is a good thing – it means that they are very clearly a good ball club, because they are doing what good ball clubs do. However, the flip side of this is that this is a very young team, which, as I’ve talked about before, leads to a lot of inconsistencies. Pitching and hitting especially will be streaky when a team relies on a lot of young, unproven talent. Often times, the best teams will be able to exploit these inconsistencies, as the Twins/Indians have done.
So, let’s just be clear about this, because I’m done with this argument: the White Sox are a good baseball team. They don’t have to beat good teams consistently to be a good baseball team – they need to do that to be a great baseball team. I don’t think anyone will try and argue that such a young, inconsistent team is a great team yet. Experience matters, no matter what people tell you. So, when the White Sox struggle against the Twins and Indians in the coming weeks – which they will – don’t be discouraged and pretend it’s the end of the world. It’s not. The White Sox have played some competitive ballgames against the Twins and Indians that they haven’t won, and that’s okay. I care far more about the process than the results because I know this team isn’t battle-tested yet. However, week after week, I continue to be encouraged and excited about this team in the long run. 2020 games against the Twins and Indians shouldn’t change that for fans.
Basically, no need for hot takes and freak outs when the Sox lose, okay? 🙂
Stats On 35th: This Week by the Numbers
This Week’s Numbers:
15, 20, 2.19, .902, 3
15
Let’s start the week with a fun number – some might say, a *magic* number. Indeed, the White Sox’ magic number to clinch a 2020 playoff spot in 15.
20
Jose Abreu has put up some impressive numbers during his 20-game hitting streak. The veteran first baseman became the first player in White Sox history with a hitting streak this long with at least 10 HR during the streak (Thanks @ckamka). Additionally, Abreu is just one game short of his career-long hit streak at 21.
2.19
Dallas Keuchel has been the definition of a stabilizer in the rotation for the White Sox this season. After 5 shutout innings against the Royals on Sunday, Keuchel lowered his ERA on the season to 2.19. This is second in the AL, behind only Shane Bieber. Despite the criticism from many around the league, Keuchel has been as good as advertised this season.
.902
I think it’s time we talk more about Yasmani Grandal, someone who Sox fans have ripped on throughout the season. Grandal, no doubt, had a rough start to the season. However, since those first five rough games, Grandal has hit .283/.402/.500 (.902 OPS) with a 149 wRC+, .388 wOBA, and an astronomical 17% walk rate. This is exactly the player the White Sox thought they were getting when they signed him.
3
Have to give it up for Chris Kamka, who was awesome this week – and every week – with the stats. Here’s my personal favorite from the week, highlighting 3 of the best players in the American League.
Fan Question of the Week
The White Sox, for the first time in a very long time, hold a share of first place heading into the final weeks of the season. Though their playoff spot is all but guaranteed, the White Sox have a bigger goal in mind: win the Central Division. However, there are two very large obstacles to this goal: the Twins and the Indians, who the Sox play four games against each starting next week. So, since those games play a large factor in determining who will win the AL Central, I decided to ask everyone else:
As the playoff picture starts to become clearer, who do you think will be the bigger threat to the White Sox in their battle for the AL Central title?
As of this morning, the poll hadn’t moved from last night: 60% Twins, 40% Indians. Let’s talk about these results.
As a team in general, I’m more afraid of the Indians for a pretty simple reason: their pitching staff. I truly believe that, right now, the Twins are the third-best team in the AL Central. Their pitching staff simply cannot hold up if their offense struggles. The Indians, on the other hand, have the pitching staff to lift up what has been an anemic offense at times this year. The White Sox fall somewhere in between those two teams. Given the young and inconsistent White Sox lineup, I’d be far more concerned with that four-game series with the Indians in two weeks. I’d expect at least a split with Minnesota.
As for remaining strength of schedule, here’s who each team plays:
Indians: Royals (4), Twins (3), Cubs (2), Tigers (4), Sox (4), Pirates (3)
Twins: Tigers (3), Cardinals (2), Indians (3), Sox (4), Cubs (3), Reds (3)
By nature of playing all three of the worst teams in the Central – Royals, Tigers, and Pirates – the Indians have the schedule advantage here. However, the Sox certainly control their own destiny, despite the difficult schedule. If September 27th comes around and the Sox are still in first place, it will be incredibly earned.
Let’s look at some fan responses. Thanks to everyone who wrote something again this week! I think a lot of us were on the same page.
1. @jimrozell25: The White Sox have played uncharacteristically bad baseball against the Twins, I’ll give you that. As for the “voodoo”, it’s Ron Gardenhire, try and convince me otherwise. You can’t.
2. @Bobby_hessling3: I don’t agree that Twins’ pitching is just as good as Cleveland’s. However, I do agree that it will come down to who gets hot at the right time and seizes that momentum into October.
3. @esbrechtel: Very much agree here, Coach Brechtel 🙂
4. @dreyer_beth: LOVE the positivity. You are also right – since the Sox are in first place today, they control their own destiny.
5. @JJHantsch: Completely agree with all of this. Good pitching will beat good hitting a lot.
Highlights of the Week
This week was very much all about Luis Robert and how many of his five tools he showed off this week. Between a long bomb and a SportsCenter Top 10 appearance, Robert had a great week along with the rest of the offense.
1) Luis Robert hits one to the Missouri/Kansas border.
2) 15% Catch Probability? No Problem.
3. Robert provides some late offense in Minnesota
The Week Ahead: The Calm Before the Storm
Monday: OFF DAY
Tuesday: Dylan Cease (5-2, 3.29 ERA) vs. Joe Musgrove (0-4, 6.62 ERA), 6:05 CT
Wednesday: TBD vs. J.T. Brubaker (1-0, 3.96 ERA), 6:05 CT
Thursday: OFF DAY
Friday-Sunday: Series vs. Tigers… TBD, but I’d expect Giolito and Keuchel to pitch early in the series so they can throw against the Twins as well. However, with Keuchel, they have the ability to skip a turn for him to rest his back and prepare him for the Twins series. No matter what, the White Sox should ensure both Giolito and Keuchel pitch against Minnesota.
Enjoy the Week, White Sox Fans! Talk to you again next Monday!
Featured Photo: Brandon Anderson
