There were runs. There were lots and lots of runs. And the White Sox scored them all, beating the Indians 11-0. » Continue reading “Too Little, Too Late”

How fitting that the White Sox end the 2012 season in Cleveland. Given how the Sox played the Indians all season, it is conceivable for a sweep. Then again, after last week’s games, it could be bad. Here is what you need to know about the final series for the 2012 regular season:

2012 Record: White Sox 83-76, 2nd in AL Central. Indians 67-92, 4th in AL Central.

2012 Season Series: 9-6

All-Time Series Record: 1,044-999 (The Sox are 488-527 at Cleveland)

The following pitchers are expected to start the three games: 

Hector Santiago: 3-1, 3.69 ERA, 69K vs. Corey Kluber: 2-4, 5.02 ERA, 48K

Jake Peavy: 11-12, 3.37 ERA, 186K vs. Justin Masterson: 11-15, 5.03 ERA, 154K

Gavin Floyd: 11-11, 4.47 ERA, 138K vs. David Huff: 3-0, 2.86 ERA, 17K

All three games begin at 6:05 pm CDT. Wednesday’s game is the free MLB.com game of the day.  » Continue reading “Playing It Out? Maybe. Series Preview: White Sox @ Indians”

The White Sox continue their road trip with a stop in Cleveland to take on the Indians. While only in town for three days, there are four games to be played. Here is what you should know about the upcoming four games.

2012 Record: White Sox: 13-15, 3rd in AL Central. Indians: 15-11, 1st in AL Central

2012 Season Series: 3-2

All-time series Record: 1,038-995 (The Sox are 486-525 at Cleveland)

The following pitchers are expected to start in the four games:

Philip Humber: 1-1, 4.62 ERA, 27K v Zach McAllister: 0-0, 0.00 ERA, 0K

Eric Stults: 0-0, 0.00 ERA, 0K v. Josh Tomlin: 1-2, 5.27 ERA, 19K

John Danks: 2-4, 6.51 ERA, 25K v. Justin Masterson: 1-2, 5.20 ERA, 26K

Jake Peavy: 3-1, 1.99 ERA, 39K v. Jeanmar Gomez: 2-1, 2.82 ERA, 15K

Monday’s games are at 12:05 and 6:05 pm. Tuesday and Wednesday’s games are at 6:05 pm. All times CDT.  » Continue reading “Cleveland, I’m Tired Of You Already. Series Preview: White Sox @ Indians”

No, no. That smile does nothing for me, mister. You are in Jen's doghouse.

John Danks, what are you doing?

What is this nonsense going on with you lately?

This is unacceptable.

I do not approve of this, and I will make my displeasure known.

UNACCEPTABLE!

Seven runs, John. SEVEN. One, two, three, four, five, six, SEVEN. And the errors. THE ERRORS, JOHN! There were two in the game, and they were BOTH BY YOU!

What are you doing to me, John? Your ERA is 6.51. Who are you and what have you done with the John Danks who was a damn good pitcher?

The offense tried, despite the awfulness that was John Danks. Alejandro De Aza went 3-for-5 with two RBIs. Alex Rios went 2-for-5 with an RBI, and Adam Dunn tried to help the Sox out with a two-run homer in the ninth inning while going 2-for-5. Despite that effort, the Sox fell 7-5.

Why Danks was in for seven innings, I have no idea. But when the bullpen came on in relief, they were effective. Nate Jones and Dylan Axelrod each pitched an inning, and only Jones allowed a base runner via a walk.

Danks was just awful tonight. Two errors in the first two innings. A triple to Jason Kipnis in the third. A homer to Asdrubal Cabrera in the sixth. A three-run homer to Kipnis in the seventh. Danks, you’re killing me!

Tomorrow starts a new series, so hopefully they’ll straighten out. Jake Peavy is facing Drew Smyly as the Sox head to Detroit to face the Tigers.

PS: Come on, Dunn. I want to see at least ONE tally under your K-less game tracker.

Coming off a huge win last night after a bit of a weather delay, the White Sox looked to keep that hold on first place. However, that didn’t happen, as the Sox fell to the Indians 6-3.

Starter Philip Humber was looking to get back to his winning ways. His start last Thursday was abysmal, so a win would have put him back on track. His control was a little bit off tonight. Humber gave up three runs in his six innings of work. He only gave up four hits, but it was the six walks that were indicative of his control issues tonight. He did strike out six, so his control wasn’t THAT awful. » Continue reading “Bullpen Bombs as Sox Fall”

It was a good night at the dish for Bacon

Hello first place! That is where your Chicago White Sox find themselves after taking advantage early against the Indians.

Control problems. A little help from weather conditions. It all came together to allow the White Sox to take advantage. White Sox win by a final of 7-2 over the Indians.

It all began in the third inning and started to get fun when The King walked with the bases loaded. The Sox were already up at this point 3-1 after Bacon (!!!!) hit his first home run of the season.

I’m happy for him and the way he was running the bases, it almost seemed to him like he didn’t believe he hit the ball out of the park. Gordon was running so fast, it was as if he felt it wouldn’t count if he slowed into a home run trot.

After the home run, of course the scoreboard fireworks went off. They always do. However, with the rainy conditions and temps, the smoke from the fireworks was taking a bit of time to clear. It had already been a problem. After AJ Pierzynski’s home run in the bottom of the second inning, there was a brief delay of game to allow the smoke to clear so the fielders could see the ball. » Continue reading “Piling On: White Sox Take Advantage For Win”

The Chicago White Sox picked up their second win of the season with some big bats and some quality pitching.

Backed by some power in the first inning, Chris Sale picked up the win in his first Major League start. Before he even took the field, the Sox put three runs on the board, and Sale had himself a night.

Sale finished the night with 6.2 innings pitched, giving up just one run on three hits. He struck out five and walked two for an impressive debut. The only run he gave up was in the sixth inning. After striking out Jason Donald and getting Asdrubal Cabrera to fly out to center, Sale hit Shin-Soo Choo with a pitch on the hand. He stole second base during Carlos Santana’s at-bat and scored on Santana’s single. » Continue reading “Sale-ing Along”

Spring Training is over. Things will matter starting tomorrow. For the Sox, the things that will matter begin on Friday afternoon.

Before spring training really had begun, I made an early prognostication on how the AL Central would look come October. Now that spring is done and the season is about to begin, I thought I would revisit how the standings may look. I knew things could change, but how much still remains to be seen.

In addition to what I think, I also talked to fellow AL Central writers, Jen who writes about the Royals, Jessica who writes about the Tigers and Jen, a contributor here on South Side Hit Girl.

So far, everyone is in agreement that the Tigers are the team to beat. From there, opinions vary a great deal. I think the standings will end up with Detroit, Chicago, Kansas City, Cleveland and Minnesota. The White Sox the past few weeks had me thinking there might be something special happening. » Continue reading “Did Spring Make A Difference In Eventual AL Central Standings?”

The White Sox looked to start a new winning streak as they welcomed the Cleveland Indians in the first game of a four-game series. Gavin Floyd took to the mound and picked up a no-decision. The Sox went on to win the game 8-1.

Floyd had an OK game. He lasted only 5.2 innings, throwing 112 pitches. He only gave up one run on five hits and two walks, but that was a lot of pitches. Will Ohman came out and pitched the last out of the sixth without giving up a run. Actually without a hit or a walk either. Jesse Crain came on for the seventh and pitched 0.2 innings. He struck out one and gave up a hit, but Matt Thornton wouldn’t let it cross the plate. He pitched 1.1 innings perfectly. No hits, no walks, no nothing. And three strikeouts. He picked up the win tonight. Josh Kinney finished the game, giving up one hit and striking out two. » Continue reading “Three Home Runs Plus a 2000th Hit Equals a White Sox Winner”