Dallas Keuchel did not hold back in last night’s postgame press conference. With frustration growing due to the Sox’s recent poor play, the starting pitcher spoke openly about the team’s underwhelming performance following a disappointing 5-1 loss. See for yourself below:
The comments, which are a true sign of Keuchel’s veteran leadership, were received positively not only by an increasingly impatient fanbase but also by the other guys in the clubhouse.
“Somebody had to say it,” Tim Anderson shared prior to tonight’s game. “Like he said, it is a lot of talent in the locker room. But hopefully, it will light a match under some guys and now get them going. I don’t see anything wrong with what he said.”
As clarified by All-Star catcher James McCann, Keuchel addressed his teammates before ever facing the press. This was a detail not really made clear last night, especially since the southpaw was the last of three people to speak on the postgame Zoom call. Regardless, McCann joined Anderson in standing by his battery mate.
“I agree with everything Keuchel said,” James McCann responded. “I’ll be the first one to tell you, he didn’t go through the media and say it. He said it to everyone’s face in the clubhouse. First off, that’s the sign of a leader. He’s going to address how he feels and what he sees to the team and not try to do it through the media. With that being said, he’s exactly right. Even in a 162 game season, there has to be a sense of urgency.”
Luckily for the White Sox, their lineup has received a much needed offensive boost since last night. Tim Anderson has been activated off the injured list, Edwin Encarnacion is back after missing nearly a week’s worth of action, and Luis Robert has returned to his starting role in center field after originally having a day off yesterday before making an appearance later in the game.
On the negative side of things, Leury Garcia has been placed on the 10-day injured list after suffering a sprained left thumb on a head-first slide Monday night. This is yet another blow to the middle infield depth, which features Danny Mendick in the starting role at second and Ryan Goins on the bench.
The White Sox will try not to focus too much on that and rather stay positive. Tim Anderson said it best, “I think the main part is continue to have fun and I always say the rest will take care of itself. I don’t think we are having fun right now.”
“We’ll have fun. We’ll bring fun back.”
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Featured Photo: @FotoGenocide_/Twitter
Might help if ol’ Rick could be more consistent with his lineup. Seems like a different one every day. Also, Grandal is 3rd in the order for tonight’s (8/11) game, despite struggling this year. Should be Abreu or Eloy in that spot, followed by the other, then EE or Grandal. I’d also put Robert back at the top of the lineup and Anderson at the bottom to be a table-setter. Their speed could wreak havoc out there, but it’s as likely as not that they won’t even come to bat in the same inning.