Week 20 Record: 5-2 (51-79 Overall), 4th in AL Central
The White Sox concluded their second consecutive winning week with three straight victories over the Tigers, while Michael Kopech made his first two starts in the Major Leagues. Let’s recap an eventful week before tonight’s action!
Weekly Score Update
Game 124: White Sox 8, Twins 5 | Box Score
Game 125: White Sox 2, Twins 5 | Box Score
Game 126: White Sox 7, Twins 3 | Box Score
Game 127: White Sox 2, Tigers 7 | Box Score
Game 128: White Sox 6, Tigers 3 | Box Score
Game 129: White Sox 6, Tigers 1 | Box Score
Game 130: White Sox 7, Tigers 2 | Box Score
This Week by the Numbers
2 – Innings pitched in Michael Kopech’s rain-shortened Major League debut
8 – Number of Strikeouts through 8.0 IP for Michael Kopech
.459 – Omar Narvaez’s OBP during the month of August
.272 – White Sox Team Batting Average this week
.462 – Yoan Moncada’s Batting Average with the bases loaded this season
0 – Number of times I’ve worried about Yoan Moncada this week
Quote of the Week: Michael Kopech on His Debut
My entire life I’ve tried to prep myself for this moment so I didn’t feel overwhelmed when I did get here. It was just about as spot on as I could imagine. The fans were a lot more engaged than I expected. I wouldn’t say it was overwhelming but a really cool experience. It was amazing out there.”
– mlb.com’s Scott Merkin
Guaranteed Rate Field was as loud as I’ve ever heard it before. How Michael Kopech kept himself composed throughout the entire evening speaks volumes about the player he is and can be. The future is coming, and it is exciting.
Question of the Week: Kopech’s Start
This was clearly Michael Kopech Week on the South Side, so I kept with the theme and asked what fans thought of his first two starts:
65% A
33% B
2% C
0% D/F
Well, apparently 2% of the page’s followers are Twins/Tigers fans, because Michael Kopech was nothing less than excellent in his first two starts. The composure he showed in getting himself out of several jam throughout both starts shows how mature he already is as a ballplayer. There is still plenty of room for growth, but the talent is there – that much we know.
My Grade: A-
Player/Moment of the Week
This one was a bit unfair this week. Thanks to all who voted though! The week we had been anticipating for months finally arrived, and when Michael Kopech stepped on the mound, he did not disappoint. He earned Player of the Week honors with 80% of the vote after 8.0 IP, giving up just 1 run and striking out 8. He won Moment of the Week honors with 46% of the vote. His debut was, at least in my recent memory, one of the loudest games I’ve been to. The future is exciting, and I think fans are starting to see it.
The Week Ahead: The Beasts of the East
Tonight: Carlos Rodon (5-3, 2.71 ERA) @ NYY Masahiro Tanaka (9-4, 3.90 ERA), 6:05 CT
Tuesday: James Shields (5-15, 4.59 ERA) @ NYY Lance Lynn (8-9, 4.84 ERA), 6:05 CT
Wednesday: Reynaldo Lopez (4-9, 4.66 ERA) @ NYY C.C. Sabathia (7-4, 3.30 ERA), 6:05 CT
Thursday – Sunday: Series vs. Boston… Starters TBD
Enjoy the week, White Sox fans! The weeks are winding down.
Featured Photo: Brandon Anderson (@bson_4) / Twitter