If you look at the standings, “they suck” could be applied to either team meeting up in this series. Yeah, it is still early in the season, but these games do count and looking at them later in the season may prove to be too much to swallow. As the homestand continues, here is what you will need to know as the Indians make an appearance in town for the first time this season:

2013 Record: White Sox: 7-11, 5th in AL Central. Indians: 7-10, 4th in AL Central

2013 Series Record: 1-2

All-Time Series Record: 1,047-1,002 (The Sox are 551-468 against the Indians on the road)

The following pitchers are expected to start the three games:

Dylan Axelrod: 0-1, 4.70 ERA, 9K vs. Justin Masterson: 3-1, 1.67 ERA, 25K

Jose Quintana: 1-0, 2.55 ERA, 17K vs. Zach McAllister: 1-2, 3.12 ERA, 16K

Chris Sale: 1-2, 4.50 ERA, 23K vs. Corey Kluber: 1-0, 1.80 ERA, 5K

Monday and Tuesday’s games begin at 7:10 pm and Wednesday’s game is at 1:10 pm.  All times CDT.  » Continue reading “They Suck! Series Preview: White Sox Versus Indians”

I wanted good starting pitching and I got it. I wanted solid defense and so far, I’ve gotten it. As for offense, it was sparse and unfortunately, when opportunities arose to score, nothing happened. The White Sox dropped the opener to the Cleveland Indians by a final of 1-0.

The game turned out to be a pitching duel. After how Jose Quintana had pitched in his previous efforts, I was not expecting to see such a strong outing from him. Things got off to a great start for him when he struck out the side in the bottom of the first inning. Unfortunately, as good as he was, Justin Masterson was matching him. Masterson ended up pitching a complete game shutout tonight. He scattered five hits over the course of nine innings as well as striking out seven Sox batters. He also issued just one walk. » Continue reading “Offense Unable To Support White Sox In Pitching Duel”

Welp, the 10-game road trip the White Sox are currently on is going just terribly. They got swept in Washington in their first stint of interleague plague. Now, they are off to visit Cleveland and an improved Indians roster. Here is what you need to know for this three-game weekend series.

2013 Record: White Sox: 4-5, Indians 3-5

2012 Series Record: 11-7

All-Time Series Record: 1,046-1,000 (The Sox are 490-528 against the Indians on the road)

The following pitchers are expected to start the three games:

Jose Quintana: 0-0. 11.25 ER, 3K vs. Justin Masterson: 2-0, 0.69 ERA, 13K

Chris Sale: 1-0, 1.84 ERA, 14K vs. Zach McAllister: 0-1, 3.00 ERA, 3K

Jake Peavy: 1-1, 5.56 ERA, 13K vs. Brett Myers: 0-1, 12.19 ERA, 4K

Friday’s game is at 6:05 pm, Saturday’s game is at 3:05 pm and Sunday’s game is at 12:05 pm. All times CDT.  » Continue reading “Road Trippin’ Ain’t Easy. Series Preview: White Sox At Indians”

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”

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”

That is what I am experiencing right now. All other MLB teams have had games. Actual spring games. None of that inter squad stuff. I still have to wait one. More. Day. It is going to seem like forever until Monday at 2:05 pm when the Sox will play their first game. Hopefully I will be able to listen to the game. Life will seem right again since baseball will be back.

Maybe you too are missing baseball a ton as well. If so, hopefully the following will keep you occupied for a bit. There are of course, other spring games going on, but nothing really fills the void like getting to see your own team play.

 Video games are such a wonderful thing. They help the time pass and for two catchers, it can help them get to know one another.

 Play fantasy baseball? Then you are probably very interested in the White Sox health report put together on Sports Illustrated.

 Centerfield and lead off are De Aza’s to lose.  » Continue reading “Jealousy”

After being rained out on Saturday, the Sox hoped to beat the Cleveland Indians and take two of the three games played. Behind Edwin Jackson, the Sox beat the Indians 4-2.

Jackson pitched well, lasting six innings and allowing two runs. He gave up five hits and walked three. Jackson also picked off Ezequiel Carrera. Jesse Crain came on in relief and pitched one inning without allowing a baserunner. Chris Sale pitched 1.1 innings and also didn’t allow a baserunner. Sergio Santos picked up his 20th save of the season after pitching 0.2 innings and walking Carlos Santana.

The Sox scored four runs off Indians starter Justin Masterson, but only one of those runs was earned, as the Indians committed three errors in the game. Masterson allowed six hits, two of them to Juan Pierre. Alexei Ramirez, Paul Konerko, Adam Dunn, and Alex Rios failed to record a hit, but Dunn and Rios reached base on errors.

The White sox now have a 49-51 record and will face the AL Central-leading Detroit Tigers in Chicago beginning Monday. Mark Buehrle will take on Duane Below who is making his second Major League start tomorrow.

After last night’s rain out and with an important series against the Tigers starting Monday, the Sox have temporarily moved Phil Humber to the bullpen. Buehrle, Jake Peavy, and John Danks will face the Tigers in the three-game series in Chicago.

The march through the AL Central continues with a stop in Cleveland this weekend. The Sox will be there for three games. Here is what you should know about what is going on.

2011 Record: White Sox 47-51, 3rd in AL Central; Indians 51-46, 2nd in AL Central. Season Series: 4-1

2010 Record: 9-9

All-Time Series Record: 1,028-987 (The Sox are 480-523 in Cleveland against the Indians)

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

Gavin Floyd: 7-9, 4.37 ERA, 85K v. Carlos Carrasco: 8-7, 4.25 ERA, 73K

Edwin Jackson: 6-7, 3.97 ERA, 94K v . David Huff: 1-0, 0.00 ERA, 5K

Philip Humber: 8-6, 3.27 ERA, 73K v. Justin Masterson: 8-6, 2.64 ERA, 101K

Friday and Saturday’s games begin at 6:05 pm and Sunday’s game is at 12:05 pm. All times CDT. » Continue reading “Series Preview: White Sox at Indians”

What was that you ask? A COMPLETE GAME SHUT OUT. Against the Indians who started the day with the best record in baseball. Hell yeah that happened.

The Self-Proclaimed DIRTBAG himself

Courtesy of one Jake Peavy, the Dirtbag. Yes, Jake, a self-proclaimed dirtbag threw 111 pitches (78 for strikes) giving up no one runs to earn his first victory of the season. He got one run of support, courtesy of a Big Donkey sac fly that scored Juan Pierre (he was useful tonight) in the bottom of the first inning. Good thing Jake was on tonight as the usual with the offense happened. He walked nobody and struck out eight guys. Including for the final out of the game. Before that fianl strike, the crowd was chanting Peavy. I’m sure his dirtbag heart was warmed.

Justin Masterson also went the distance in the game. He too pitched a masterful game except for the one blemish. Unfortunately for him, his teammates could only muster three hits off Peavy. Meanwhile Masterson scattered five hits in the game. He walked two while striking out eight.

Highlights of the night were probably AJ Pierzynski actually “throwing” out a would-be base stealer. To be fair, Shin-Soo Choo stopped as he was approaching second base and the ball was there in time. Possible that Choo might have beaten the throw out if he had not stopped, given how things go for the White Sox. Brent Lillibridge made a spectacular diving catch on the left center warning track on a ball hit by Orlando Cabrera. O Cabrera’s hit had it fallen may have been triple-worthy.

Up next will be Gavin Floyd to face the Indians’ opening day started, Fausto Carmona. If you recall, the Sox roughed him up for ten runs before he had to ungracefully depart.

Gavin needs to make sure he works his “magic” so that he gets his typical offensive support. And Gavin, don’t suck like you did last time. You know how this team’s offense operates. You digging a hole won’t help them.

A win? At home?

Yes, ladies and gentlemen, the White Sox won at home, beating the Texas Rangers 4-3. Behind a wonderful performance from third baseman Brent Morel, the Sox picked up their sixth win at US Cellular Field this season.

Morel lit up the scoreboard in the fifth inning with a three-run home run to tie the game. Sox starter John Danks didn’t have a great game but left with a no-decision after 6.1 innings. » Continue reading “A Home Win! A Split!”