I want a bunch of blow out victories for our side. None of this being walked off stuff.
Tag Archives: Chicago White Sox
2018 Game 27: Minnesota Twins at Chicago White Sox
The Twins are playing .500 baseball in May!
Holding down third place in the AL Central - 4.5 games behind the first place Clevelanders (16-13), despite managing a 2-8 in their past 10 games (3-12 in their past 15), they trail 2nd-place Detroit by 1.5 games and lead the Sox by 3 games. I don't see any snow in the Chicago forecast for this series, so that's nice.
Pitching
Today, off-season acquisition Jake Odorizzi (2-2, 3.94, 109 ERA+, 5.81 FIP, 1.375 WHIP) hopes to pick up where rookie (and #2 Twins prospect) Fernando Romero left off yesterday*. In his last start against Cincinnati, Odorizzi went 6 innings, scattering 5 hits and 2 walks while allowing only 1 ER. He has averaged slightly more than 1 homerun per start this year, but is also pacing himself with 2 ER's per start as well. A good long start today would be pleasing.
On the mound for the White Sox is Reynaldo López, a 24-year-old who came over with another Chicago starter (Giolito) in the Adam Eaton trade. 0-2 on the year, López has been good in 5 starts this year with a 1.78 ERA, 236 ERA+, 4.47 FIP and 1.22 WHIP. He features a mid-to-high 90's fastball, good curve and a change. This year, he's averaged 6+ innings, 5 K and 3 BB per start with only 6 ER (and 3 HR) total. Also saw this on his Repository page - which further improved my opinion of him - explaining why his signing bonus from the Nationals was relatively low:
The lower signing bonus may have been because Lopez took several years off of baseball to finish his highschool degree, and signed at age 18.
Batting
With Dozier scuffling, and three other 'regulars' in yesterday's lineup with sub-Mendoza BA's, not to mention four with sub-.300 OBP, the Twins have been hitting ...intermittently, though not necessarily effectively. For the year, they're .198/.279/.297 with RISP - 70 SO's and .262 BABIP. Hope they can pick each other up a bit more as they try to climb out of the hole they've dug.
Editorial
Though admitting this may cement my place as local baseball history ignoramus, a quick search for the featured image of Comisky U.S. Cellular guaranteedRate Field, I (re)learned something that I may have known at one time, but seem to have forgotten. The Chicago White Sox began life as the St. Paul Saints! I will be looking for the foundation over lunch in the near future. I have an idea that I have seen it before, but need to be sure.
*that was a fun game to see... hope Romero continues his advance on securing a role in the starting rotation.
2018 Game 11: Chicago White Sox at Minnesota Twins
The Twins kick off their 2018 Central Division campaign against a young Chicago squad, (losers of 7 of their last 9 games). They went 11-7 against the 67 win club a year ago, the first under coach Rick Renteria. Renteria and GM Rick Hahn are likely hoping that trades of Sale, Eaton*, Quintana, Kahnle, Robertson and Cabrera in 2016 & '17 will begin to bear fruit.
*Today's starter for the Sox, Lucas Giolito was part of the Eaton trade with Washington. The 23-year-old has walked 7 and given up 8 runs in 11 2/3 innings to start the year, but as a former 1st round pick (#16 overall in 2012) with decent minor league numbers (3.18 ERA, 1.248 WHIP, 9.6K/9 in 497 IP over 6 seasons), and good numbers in his (limited) MLB appearances last year (7 starts, 45.1 IP, 2.38 ERA, 181 ERA+, 4.94 FIP, 0.949 WHIP), the boys should not take him lightly.
Opposing Giolito will be the Twins' José Berríos, their very own 23-year-old , former first rounder (#32 overall in 2012). With great numbers during 6 years in the minors (2.77 ERA, 1.075 WHIP, 9.6K/9 in 591 IP), it's safe to say that the big club has high expectations for the young Puerto Rican. Berríos started 25 games for the Twins in 2017, going 14-8 with a 3.89 ERA, 113 ERA+, 3.84 FIP and 1.229 WHIP. He accumulated 139 SO in 145.2 Innings Pitched and averaged 3 BB per 9. In 2018, José has already notched a win in his first career Complete Game, and been knocked out after 4 2/3 innings (5 ER on 6 Hits) in an 11-4 loss to Seattle. Excited to see which version we get in what may be the only "nice" game of the series.
I'll leave you with this: 1,998 - not too far off 2,000. I'm hoping some Citizen is able to bring us a in-person, personal clip of this momentous occasion.
Game 132: White Sox at Twins
When is it okay to begin truly scoreboard watching? I only ask because the Tribe beat dem Yanks in their first game today, and a win by Berrios, combined with another NY Loss tonight, would leave the Twins only 1 game behind the first Wild Card spot ... I'm not looking behind 'em (the O's have won 6 in a row and LAA play Oakland again this evening after beating them 8-2 last night).
Berrios
-v-
Holland
Lets hope the Twins and Berrios are a little sharper against Holland and the Sox this week. Looks like Kepler's struggles against lefties (2017: .131/.202/.172--career: .170/.240/.252) will keep him out of the starting lineup, Garver sees his second start behind the dish, and your 3 & 4 hitters appear to be Buxton and Polanco. If you'd have told me in June that those fellas would be hitting in those spots in late August and the Twins would also be in contention for the post-season(!?!) ... I probably would have asked you if you'd been watching those Twins at all in 2017.
Game 131 – White Sox at Twins
Twins get the Whities again after losing a disappointing 3 of 5 last week in Chicago. Extracting some revenge should be the order of the day as winning these games really puts the Twins in a position of controlling their own destiny, especially since their upcoming next 10 games after the White Sox series are with the Royals and Rays.
Beautiful night for baseball as Ervin Santana on the mound against James Shields. White Sox have played well lately so hopefully the Twins can rise to the occasion. First pitch at 7:10p.
Game 125 — Twins at Hosers
Twins in the beginning of a long stretch of games against sub-500 teams, with very few teams more sub-500 than the Chicago White Sox. The third game of a rare five game tilt against the Pale Hose has Gibby once again trying to get keep the Twins in the playoff hunt. Lucas Giolito up for the Sox. He’s one of the prospects received in the Adam Eaten trade last December and the apparently the Southsiders want to see what they got.
This will be featured in my upcoming Father Knows Best posting but the eldest now has a real job working for Guaranteed Rate Mortgage in Chicago, ironically enough 5 blocks from Wrigley Field. I am hoping that next year we can secure some sweet stadium sponsor tix and I will go down and check out “New Comisky.” Until then I will be enjoying the view of Guaranteed Rate Field from my Barcalounger.
Game 123: Twins @ Pale Hosers
Pinch-hitting in case hungryjoe doesn't have a game log ready to go live.
The first game of a proper doubleheader features Yet Another New Twins Pitcher™, this time Tim Melville. I'm somewhat surprised that Mitch Garver, who presumably knows Melville better than Castro or Gimenez, will be playing first base instead of crouching behind the dish. Starting Garver at catcher would've spelled Gimenez, who caught yesterday, and allowed Vargas to start at first this afternoon and Castro to start behind the plate tonight. Instead, Gimenez is catching again today. That's not a sign of confidence in Garver's defensive capabilities.
Game 68 — Pale Hose v. Twins
We all saw it coming didn't we? Twins playing above their heads and the Clevelanders scuffling. Regression to the mean was inevitable, especially given the pitching staff the Twins had planned.
But nothing fixes what ails you than a 3 game stint against the lowly White Sox. Let's hope the Twins keep Hawk quiet for innings at a time as Santana gets back on track. Beautiful night for a 7:10p game.
Game 31: Minnesota Twins @ Chicago White Sox
Phil Hughes (4-1, 4.32 ERA, 93 ERA+, 4.33 FIP, 1.38 WHIP, 6:21 BB:SO, 33.1 IP)
-v-
Derek Holland (3-2, 2.02 ERA, 192 ERA+, 3.68 FIP, 1.04 WHIP, 12:30 BB:SO, 35.2 IP)
I can't touch free's open from last night, so I won't even try.
Also ... "Guaranteed Rate Field" ... I know, I know, this is just the logical result of "Fenway Park" and "Wrigley Field*" (but seriously)?
*
Game 30: Twins v. White Sox
Oh it’s real now Twins fans. Joe Mauer is angry* about getting the short end of a bad called third strike. American League pitchers couldn’t stop Miguel Sano, so they petitioned MLB to sit him for a day. Stalwarts like Danny Santana, Kyle Gibson, and Michael Tonkin unceremoniously dumped by the whippersnappers in the front office. Plus, Twins hides still chapped from the spanking the Red Sox put on them over the weekend. Yes, these Twins are just loaded for bear, looking to take it on someone, anyone. Who better than the White Sox, those southside ne-er do wells, home of disco demolition day and the Ligue family?
Wait there’s more you say? Mike Pelfrey is pitching for the Whities? Big Pelf? The Dude who had a 35.6 ERA and -14.1 WAR** during his short stay with the Twins? Bring. It. On. I foresee the Twins batting around twice before the 4th inning as all those frustrations ooze out of the visitor dugout. Tonight will be one cathartic primal scream where Brian Buxton’s batting average moves from .165 to .180, Max Kepler creates a fourth law of White Sox ass kicking, and Hector Santiago strikes out the side on seven pitches. Paul Molitor may even only use 3 pitchers tonight instead of the usual 7 or 8. I call this a Teri Hatcher game (It’s going to be real and it’s going to be spectacular). So sit back and enjoy the festivities.
* Well, mildly upset
** Unconfirmed but close