The White Sox entered Yankee stadium with a chance to prove they are the cream of the crop of the American League. If Friday and Saturday were a test, the White Sox would have failed miserably.
After scraping across a single run on Friday, the White Sox had an opportunity to redeem themselves against one of the best arms in baseball. Gerrit Cole had other ideas. The right-hander hander tossed seven innings of shutout ball en route to a 7-0 romp of the White Sox. He struggled with command early but, the White Sox failed to capitalize. Once he began to find a rhythm, it was game over. He struck out seven and allowed just four singles.
The White Sox were unable to make any hard contact throughout the afternoon. They only registered five hits, just one extra-base hit. Any rally they tried to muster was quickly smothered with a soft hit ground ball. They hit into a season-high four double plays.
Nick Madrigal was the one responsible for the White Sox only extra-base hit. The second baseman belted a triple to the left-field wall in the eighth inning. With only one out in the inning, the White Sox had a chance to break up the shutout but, Madrigal got thrown out at the plate after Tim Anderson hit a grounder to third. It marked the fourth time the White Sox have gotten shut out this season.
If the White Sox want to win in the postseason, they need to produce against elite pitchers like Cole. Come October, mediocre arms are weeded out and, only the best remain. While the White Sox have a ways to go until they reach October there is no time like the present to practice.
101 MPH ABSOLUTELY PAINTED BY GERRIT COLE 🎨 pic.twitter.com/EwnkHNaye6
— Ben Verlander (@Verly32) May 22, 2021
“Especially in the postseason, that’s where we want to get, you’re going to going to be seeing guys almost every single day, every single game,” Nick Madrigal said after the game.
“I felt like we put some good at-bats together, we just didn’t really have that one big hit for us.”
The White Sox usually rely on Jose Abreu for that one big hit, but at some point other members of the White Sox need to step up. It is a tough ask for Abreu to be the main run producer every day. Last series vs the Twins Yoan Moncada rose to the occasion in Abreu’s absense. Other players need to follow suit.
Yasmani Grandal is the first name that comes to mind. While the cathcer is drawing plenty of walks there are certain situations where a walk won’t cut it. Even if he does not hit for average, he needs to drive in more runs. Grandal is constanly striking out with runners in scoring position. He needs to be better.
Adam Eaton has also left alot to be desired on the offensive end. Eaton is hitting a sub par .208, yet is occupying the second spot in the batting order. If he is going to be getting the second most at-bats on the team he needs to produce more.
Other guys like Vuaghn and Garica did not helped the cause either. However Vaughn gets a pass because of the difficult circumstances he has been thrust into this season. Vaughn has also had some bad luck with ball placement and his average does not relfect how hard he has been hitting the ball.
The possibilty of Eloy Jimenez and Luis Robert returning for the postseason should provide the White Sox offense with a jolt. The extra lineup protection will make things easier for everyone.
Until then the White Sox offense needs to prove they are as advertised by producing against the games best.
