Kenyan Middleton does not like Carlos Correa, and he does not care who knows it. Despite being a two-time All-Star and Gold Glove winner, Middleton made it clear he has no respect for the former member of the 2017 Astros.
Middleton, who had ample time to play against them during his stint in the AL West, seemed to relish the opportunity to face Correa with the game on the line.
With the White Sox holding onto a two-run lead in the ninth inning on Wednesday night, Pedro Grifol turned to Middleton to lock down the team’s first series victory of the season.
The 29-year-old was up to the task. He dispatched of Ryan Jeffers in four pitches, striking him out with a filthy 88 mph changeup to open the frame. Then he punched out Max Kepler with the same changeup. However, an 11-pitch walk issued to Jorge Polanco spoiled his 1-2-3 inning and set the stage for a battle with Correa, who represented the tying run.
Middleton started him off with a slider low and away, which Correa did not chase. He battled back with a high changeup that was fouled off and then another low slider that Correa fanned on to put Middleton ahead 1-2. He then uncorked a 96 mph fastball well outside the strike zone that Correa couldn’t resist, sending the Twins back into the locker room and Middleton into celebration mode as Guaranteed Rate Field erupted.
Fresh off his first save with the White Sox, the right-hander had some choice words for the Twins shortstop.
“I knew I was gonna face Correa and I don’t like him. I enjoyed that a lot,” Middleton told reporters after the game.
When asked why he doesn’t like him, Middleton simply replied,
“He’s a cheater.”
Add Middleton to the list of White Sox to the list of people who do not like the Astros, specifically Carlos Correa. Joe Kelly’s longstanding beef with the Astros has been well documented, including a benches-clearing incident after he struck out Correa in 2020. Former White Sox reliever Ryan Tepera accused them of sign stealing at home in the 2021 ALDS during his post-game press conference after winning Game 4.
Correa was at the center of the 2017 cheating scandal when the Astros were caught using technology to steal the opposing team’s signs, then relaying to the batter what pitch was coming. The ordeal helped earn Correa and his teammates a World Series ring but lost him admiration from opponents across the league.
Middleton, who made his MLB debut with the Angles in 2017, probably had signs stolen from him when he faced the Astros.
He spent his first four seasons with the Angels until he was non-tendered after struggling post-Tommy John surgery. The Mariners took a flier on him in 2021, keeping Middleton in the AL West and allowing his disdain for Houston to grow, hence why he doesn’t care for Correa. The White Sox added the former third round draft pick to a minor league deal in January.
Middleton had 13 career saves under his belt heading into last night and looked unfazed by the moment. This is a welcomed sight for White Sox fans who have had a revolving door in the ninth while the team waits for Liam Hendriks to finish his rehab stint.
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