Week 6 Record: 2-3 (11-29 Overall), 5th in AL Central
This week was the first in quite a few that saw two wins in it, so I call that progress! From some NL Central matchups to the first game of the series with Texas, this week was short but filled with action. Let’s take a look at the last 5 games:
Game 36: Bad first inning hurts Shields, as Sox (9-27) drop second game to Cubs
For the second straight game, the Cubs put up multiple runs in the first inning against the White Sox. The early four-run deficit proved to be too much for the Sox, as the White Sox fell 8-4 to their Crosstown rivals. Adam Engel was 3-4 out of the leadoff spot, while Matt Davidson hit his team-leading 10th home run. Jose Abreu was also 2-5 on the day.
W: Jon Lester (3-1) L: James Shields (1-4) S: Brandon Morrow (9)
Matty-D flashing the oppo-power. pic.twitter.com/wvUlFlOfpV
— Chicago White Sox (@whitesox) May 13, 2018
Game 37: Giolito effectively wild, offense just enough to lift Sox (10-27) to double digit wins
Lucas Giolito clearly didn’t have his best stuff on the day. However, he battled through 5.2 innings and was effectively wild, giving up three runs on just two hits, walking 7 but striking out 3. Trailing 3-2 to start the 6th, the White Sox would score 3 runs combined in the 6th and 7th innings, highlighted by a Nicky Delmonico game-tying triple. Jace Fry, Nate Jones, and Bruce Rondon worked a scoreless 3.1 innings out of the bullpen, and the White Sox became the final team to reach double-digit wins on the season. Matt Davidson hit his 11th homer in this Mothers’ Day matchup.
W: Lucas Giolito (2-4) L: Kyle Hendricks (3-3) S: Bruce Rondon (1)
.@Nicky_Delmonico takes a trip to the ivy! pic.twitter.com/3vHp721uJ1
— Chicago White Sox (@whitesox) May 13, 2018
Game 38: Lopez struggles early as Sox (10-28) fall to Pirates again
Reynaldo Lopez struggled from the start in this game, giving up four runs in the first inning. He would only last two innings, giving up 6 runs on 7 hits. The White Sox had no answers for Trevor Williams and the Pirates, as Williams threw 7 shutout innings. On a positive note from this game, Yoan Moncada returned from the DL, going 1-4 with an 8th inning single in the loss.
W: Trevor Williams (5-2) L: Reynaldo Lopez (0-3)
Chris Beck struck out three batters and did not allow a hit in 3.2 innings out of the bullpen tonight. pic.twitter.com/cp0AOzuNBW
— Chicago White Sox (@whitesox) May 16, 2018
Game 39: Offense struggles, bullpen falters late in White Sox (10-29) loss to Pirates
There wasn’t much offense to speak of in this game, as the White Sox and Pirates were only able to score 4 runs off of starters Hector Santiago and Jameson Taillon. The game was tied at 2 heading into the bottom of the 7th, and Josh Bell laced a go-ahead single off of Joakim Soria to give the Bucs a 3-2 lead that they wouldn’t give up. Both Leury Garcia and Yolmer Sanchez homered in the loss.
W: Edgar Santana (1-0) L: Joakim Soria (0-2) S: Felipe Vazquez (8)
Yolmer's second home run of the year ties this game up! pic.twitter.com/OnbuGmiqmF
— Chicago White Sox (@whitesox) May 16, 2018
Game 40: Shields sharp, 8th-inning rally help White Sox (11-29) top Rangers
The White Sox welcomed the Rangers to town on Thursday night. James Shields was brilliant to start, giving up just 1 run in 7.1 innings, walking 3 but striking out 8. The White Sox trailed 2-0 heading into the bottom of the 8th. Yoan Moncada sparked a two-out rally with a double, followed by a high chopper that Yolmer Sanchez reached on. Following walks to Abreu and Delmonico, Matt Davidson also walked, allowing the tying run to score. Welington Castillo followed with a 2-run single, and Nate Jones shut the door in the ninth for the White Sox’ 11th win on the season.
W: Luis Avilan (1-0) L: Jose Leclerc (1-1) S: Nate Jones (2)
Ricky's ? boys ? do ? not ? quit! pic.twitter.com/T8bNF6eJ4p
— Chicago White Sox (@whitesox) May 18, 2018
Quote of the Week: James Shields on the White Sox Rebuild
When I got called up to TB in 2006, we had a similar situation as to what we have with the Sox. We were in the middle of a rebuild. We lost 101 games in 2006 & 96 in 2007. Then we went to the World Series in 2008. No doubt, it shows you how quickly things can turn around.”
–In My Words: James Shields
This is how rebuilds are supposed to go White Sox fans. It makes it better to have a veteran guy like Shields in the clubhouse who’s seen the highest and the lowest a team can be. It helps keep things in perspective and keep guys loose during a rough stretch. The good news is that this last week showed a lot better baseball than past weeks. It’s just all a part of the rebuild working.
Overreaction of the Week: “This is the Worst White Sox Team Ever”
I’ve heard this one a lot recently. Let me start by saying that, no, this is not the worst White Sox team ever. However, it certainly isn’t one of the best. So where would this team fit in? In the 162-game era of baseball, the worst the White Sox have ever finished is 56-106 back in 1970. That’s a .346 winning percentage. But, who cares about 1970, am I right? We all want a more recent year to compare this current “Worst Team Ever” to. So, the second-worst team in White Sox history in the 162-game era came in… any guesses? 2013. The team finished 63-99 in one of the many years they bought free agents in an effort to win now. The roster that year?
And the top 10 prospects, you might ask?
Honestly, you’re going to have a REALLY hard time convincing me that this year’s team is worse than the 2013 team. You’re more than welcome to try, you know where to find me on Twitter. But, I think we can agree that while the 2018 White Sox might be going through one of the worst stretches in White Sox history, they certainly aren’t the worst team in White Sox history.
Stat of the Week: A Blast to the Past
In 2015, Gordon Beckham had:
– walkoff single on Mother's Day
– walkoff home run on Father's Day#WhiteSox— Christopher Kamka (@ckamka) May 13, 2018
Oh, those were the days… I remember both of those games actually. Single to right, homer to left. Those were pretty cool moments honestly.
Player/Moment of the Week
Thanks to the fans who voted! This week clearly belonged to Matt Davidson, who won both the Player and Moment of the Week! This week, Davidson was just 3-14, but two of those hits were big homers against the Cubs.
MATT DAVIDSON WITH A BULLET!
Exit velocity: 109.4 mph
Distance: 414ft
Launch Angle: 22°— Sox On 35th (@SoxOn35th) May 13, 2018
James Shields and Welington Castillo’s RBI single should also be mentioned for these honors after last night’s game.
Weekend Preview: Three more against the Rangers
Friday: Carson Fulmer (2-3, 6.23 ERA) vs. Matt Moore (1-5, 7.82 ERA), 7:10 PM CT
Saturday: Lucas Giolito (2-4, 6.91 ERA) vs. TBD, 6:10 PM CT
Sunday: Reynaldo Lopez (0-3, 3.50 ERA) vs. Mike Minor (3-2, 5.61 ERA), 1:10 PM CT
Bold Predictions for the Week
Bold Predictions are back! Thanks to everyone who sent them in! Here’s my top 3:
3. “We win more than one game in a row.” – @skuchta28
2. “Fulmer no hitter.” – @DomT77
1. “Sox put together three wins in a row and we all feel better.” – @markschreiner99
See you next Friday, White Sox fans!
*Featured Photo from White Sox’ Twitter*
