White Sox Quest For A Miracle Title Begins Today
September 29, 2020
Trubisky Era… 2017-2020
September 30, 2020Back in spring training, the vast majority of baseball fans never imagined seeing the Chicago White Sox contend for postseason play. However, this young White Sox team, led by veteran Jose Abreu, is in the playoffs and came one game shy of winning the division. The Sox comfortably clinched the seven seed for the playoffs despite having a tough two week stretch to end the regular season.
Alright my fellow Sox fans, lets all exhale for the moment.
As of this writing, we’re hours away from game one.
Before we preview the the Oakland A’s / White Sox best-of-five series I want to reflect with you on some Sox postseason memories
Remember rejoicing at the 2005 Sox team that beat the Red Sox with the unique Orlando “El Due” Hernandez’s performance of stranding the bases loaded with no outs? Or you recall taking the momentum away from the Angels when AJ Pierzynski reached base on a dropped third strike as well as caught four complete games that will not happen again, and swept the Astros to end a 88 year drought.
Furthermore, we can not forget the last time the team was in the playoffs. The 2008 division champion White Sox!
Recall the classic blackout game when Ken Griffey Jr had the putout at the plate. How can we ever forget Jim Thome hitting the go ahead home-run.
However, the Rays would end up beating the White Sox 3-1 to go to the World Series where they would eventually lose to a Phillies the Sox would have clobbered.
It has been twelve years since the Chicago White Sox have reached the postseason. Unfortunately, due to the pandemic there will be no blackout games for fans at Guaranteed Rate Field/ Instead, we will all be glued to our televisions, some of us under quarantine, to watch this special team.
Lets take a position preview of the matchups with two young teams this postseason and a prediction of the series.
First of all, the pitching matchup for Game 1 will be Sox righty Lucas Giolito against the A’s lefty, Jesus Luzardo.
During the regular season Luzardo compiled a 3-2 W-L record with a, 4.12 ERA, 59 K, 1.27 WHIP,.
In his last appearance he gave up three runs in three innings pitched.
Chicago’s Giolito ended up with a 4-3 W-L, 3.48 ERA, 97K, 1.04 WHIP, and in his last appearance gave up two runs in six innings pitched.
The pitching matchup for Game 2 will be lefty Dallas Keuchel for the Sox against right-hander Chris.Bassitt for the A’s,
During the regular season, Bassitt compiled a 5-2 W-L, 2.29 ERA, 55 K, 1.16 WHIP. In his last appearance he gave up zero runs in seven innings pitched.
Keuchel has allowed one run in 10 innings during his two starts since returning from injury.. He’s 4-2 with a 3.47 ERA in his playoff history.
It is important to note that the Chicago White Sox are 14-0 against lefties this season and in 4 games against Bassitt they have a 3.00 ERA against him.
Lets breakdown the positions across the board starting with the Catcher.
To say the least, Chicago has two all-star players at the stake to take control of the dish as Yamani Grandal and James McCann will be the tandem. Their defensive skills and veteran presence, especially with Grandal’s playoff experience makes this a formidable duo.
The Athletics’ Sean Murphy seems to have taken over the duties with his exceptional plate patience. But the lack of experience will show in the postseason and advantage goes to Chicago.
First Base is a position of value for both teams as Chicago has a MVP candidate in Abreu who leads the league in hits, RBIs, slugging percentage, and total bases.
The A’s Matt Olson has a .195/.310/.424 slash line with 75 K’s.
Advantage White Sox.
The middle of the infield is a split as Oakland has the advantage of Tommy La Stella over Nick Madrigal. His consistent bat and glove work is a big plus over the rookie Madrigal who is a rookie still making a name of his own.
Next at shortstop, Chicago has the advantage of Tim Anderson over Marcus Semien.
Anderson has put together another strong campaign and is a strong MVP candidate.
I would give Oakland the advantage at third base but Matt Chapman had a season ending injury and Jake Lamb does not fill the void,. Yoan Moncada, whom might be getting hot at the right moment, give the Sox an edge here.
Oakland has solid defensive outfielders but at the plate they are a group of average players. So, advantage goes to the White Sox.
Surprisingly, Eloy Jimenez and Luis Robert should be the difference makers if both can approximate the highs they had this season and avoid the lows.
Designated hitter will go to Oakland as Chicago’s Incarnation had struggled in the short year and quite frankly Mark Canha put up impressive numbers this season.
When it comes to the pitching staff I would give the advantage to Chicago’s starters, but Oakland gets the nod with the bullpen as they have more playoff experience.
Chicago and Oakland are one of the many matchups that did not face each other yet this season and is setting up for one thrilling series.
My prediction is the Chicago White Sox upset the A’s and their young bats get hot, while their pitching staff withstands the playoff pressure.
It is time to show the world that this rebuild was not a fluke from a shortened season and that this young roster will make havoc for the upcoming seasons.
