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Let’s start with the news of the day:
He's baaaack. pic.twitter.com/MmCDk2b81u
— Chicago White Sox (@whitesox) May 9, 2022
And my personal favorite news of the day:
Ready to bring the heat. pic.twitter.com/W1c0YpbUAq
— Chicago White Sox (@whitesox) May 9, 2022
I’ve seen Moncada play on the South Side for a few years so it’s nice to have him back. I’m very invested in Joe Kelly’s particular brand of attitude gracing us.
What happened last time?
The White Sox last saw the Guardians in Cleveland and it did not go well. After the first game of the series was postponed due to weather, the White Sox dropped three in a row and hit the skids for a while. They’re back on track now, having won three in a row, but let’s not get too comfortable.
The doubleheader saw the White Sox get swept and stomped on. Game 1 (11-1) was a painful outing for everyone and then the White Sox decided to show up to play in Game 2 (2-1). José Ramírez is a monster human who drove in five RBIs and hit a grand slam off multiple Gold Glove winner Dallas Keuchel while the entire White Sox infield had a case of the yips and Keuchel couldn’t find his control. Suffice it to say it was a terrible outing across the board. Keuchel allowed a career-high 10 runs and 10 hits before being mercifully pulled in the second inning with no outs. Notably, La Russa didn’t blame the fans for the team's woes and took the barest responsibility by saying he didn’t get the team ready to play.
The last game of the series saw the White Sox get swept out of Cleveland in a 6-3 loss which caused the fans to hit the doldrums and spiral a bit. Big “sky is falling” energy from the fanbase, yours truly included, when the team plays like a middling Double-A team.
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Good stuff since then
After the loss to the Guardians, the White Sox's losing streak topped seven before finally getting a win against the Royals. It was an up-and-down few days mixed with wins and losses, but the South Siders have popped back with a vengeance, going on a seven-game win streak while managing to not score more than four runs in any game. Sure, the Cubs stink, and no one knows what’s really going on with the Red Sox, but getting Mike Trout to strike out four times is a pretty big feat considering he never strikes out.
The Guardians have won six of their last 10 games and are posting a .232 average and 2.64 ERA in as many games. Their offense has bounced back from where it was in 2021, leading to their outscoring of opponents by four runs. So far, Cleveland is 7-9 on the road and 14-14 overall. They’re knocking at the door of being second in the AL Central so we’ll have to try and hang on.
Pitching Matchups: No Biebs
Monday will see Michael Kopech face off against Zach Plesac. Kopech is posting a 1.17 ERA and was disappointed in that, despite having dominated his outings as of late. He walks players 12% of the time but other than that, everything else is looking great compared to Plesac:
You can’t please everyone, Michael. You’re not cake.
Tuesday will see Lucas Giolito vs. Cal Quantrill. Giolito is 0-1 at home with a 4.50 ERA (not the worst but still not the best). He’s 1-3 in his past four starts, most recently taking a victory against the Cubs in some very cold weather. Quantrill is 1-1 with a 3.12 ERA on the road. He’s 2-3 in his last five starts, allowing only one home run to the Yankees on 4/23.
Wednesday will be closed out by TBD and Aaron Civale. Civale is 1-2 this season with a 9.45 ERA over 20 innings, allowing 28 hits, four home runs, and six walks while striking out 22.
Why do we hate the Guardians?
Roberto Pérez and his stupid foot that prevented a perfect game for Carlos Rodón.
— Chrystal O’Keefe (@chrystal_ok) May 9, 2022
they didn’t shut down the cubs in 2016 and they had the pitcher who shall never be named.
— delia catherine (taylor’s version) (@deestweets23) May 9, 2022
also peréz’s stupid foot prevented Los from a perfect game. jerk.
They failed to beat the Cubs in 2016, which probably opened the portal to the hell that has been the past 6 years..
— Bill Koester (@Billy_dk_89) May 9, 2022
When I think of Jim Thome, I get happy, but then I think of Jim Thome on Cleveland, and I think of massive dongs hit by those A holes against us with those mammoth dudes in the 90s.
— Stress Freehon (@StressFreehon) May 9, 2022
Jose Ramirez just kills the Sox.
— Tripples of the Nova (@danielrtripp) May 9, 2022
Their roster is José Ramírez and a bunch of create-a-players. And even though the odds suggest it's unlikely, the game will always find José Ramírez in the highest leverage situation. And the Sox will use some mediocre arm and instruct him to throw fastballs down the middle.
— Tyrone (@TheTyronePalmer) May 9, 2022
Shane Bieber & that guy Ramirez-both kick our butts more than I like
— Kelly McCarthy (@mcKmarth) May 9, 2022
I’ll never get over how they booed Jim Thome. It was disgraceful
— Herb Lawrence (@Ecnerwal23) May 9, 2022
All the pain in the 1990’s.
— Father Sean (@sean_janko) May 9, 2022
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