South Side Slump

By: Mike Rifkin

As we head into September the Chicago White Sox sit five games out of the AL Central and six games out of the last wild card spot. But why should fans trust the White Sox? They just got swept at home by the Arizona Diamondbacks and are 2-8 in their last 10 including losing four straight. Last season the White Sox went 93-69 and won the AL Central by 13 games and were expected by most to repeat as division champions. A big reason for the White Sox struggles has been their pitching last season they were fifth in MLB with a 3.73 team ERA. This season they currently sit 20th with a 4.02 ERA. The two guys who were supposed to head the rotation Lucas Giolito and Lance Lynn have had rough seasons. Giolito is 10-7 but has an ERA of 5.14. Lynn on the other hand is 3-5 with an ERA of 5.00 and the two have combined for 13 quality starts ( at least six innings pitched giving up three runs or less). To put in reference Dylan Cease who has been the White Sox best starter all season has 12 quality starts on his own. Chicago’s defense has made 79 errors only the Pirates, Rockies and Cubs have committed more. Last year the White Sox committed 97 errors for the season. 

Offensively Jose Abreu and Andrew Vaughn are tied for the team lead with 14 home runs each. Vaughn has 61 RBI while Abreu has 60. Abreu has a slash line of .308/.385/.455 and Vaughn’s slash line is .291/.340/.460. The White Sox as a team are hitting .259 which is fourth in MLB. 

Chicago is down some key players. Short Stop Tim Anderson is currently out after undergoing hand surgery. Anderson had six home runs and 25 RBI with a slash line of .301/.339/.395. Anderson was also 13-13 in stolen bases prior to injury. Catcher Yasmani Grandal is making his way back from a knee injury. Grandal has a slash line of .203/.307/.259 with three home runs and 21 RBI.  

But as much doom and gloom I put in the top of this article the White Sox are not out of this race. In September they have nine games against the Minnesota Twins including this weekend and to close out the season. They also have four games against the Cleveland Guardians. Currently the White Sox are 4-6 vs the Twins this season and 6-9 vs the Guardians. If Chicago wants to make their move in the Central they have to play better than the teams in front of them.