The White Sox came into Sunday’s matchup with a chance to put the Twins, and the league, on notice after their multi-year rebuild. The moment to assert their dominance on the AL Central had finally arrived. The Twins had other plans and trounced the White Sox to end the series 2-1.
Reynaldo Lopez made his season debut in what will be his make or break year with the White Sox. Lopez has had moments of brilliance, but he has had just as many moments of hair-ripping frustration. One thing the White Sox do not need right now is an inconsistent pitcher. The Sox need to defeat the monster offenses of the Twins, Yankees, and Astros if they want to win the AL pennant.
Reports had the White Sox coaching staff and his teammates touting Lopez for all the work he put into the offseason. They all predicted a breakout season in 2020. Sunday told a whole different story.
As bad as the White Sox all-star pitcher, Lucas Giolito, was on Friday, it did not compare with how bad Lopez (.2IP 3H 4ER 2BB 0K) looked on Sunday. After Lopez was pulled from the game, it was reported that he felt tightness in his right shoulder. Shoulder tightness could have been a significant factor in his performance, although it had not been cited as a concern going into the game.
After Lopez left the game, the onslaught continued.
Taking his place on the mound was veteran left-hander, Gio Gonzalez. Gonzalez was signed in the off-season to bring some depth to the pitching rotation. Gonzalez came in to keep the game afloat but could not keep the White Sox from drowning. He left with a line stat of 3.2IP 7H 6ER 1BB 3K. Not the stop that the White Sox needed.
The White Sox offense has it in them to be amazing. But a deficit of 9-0 after two innings is enough to make the best question the odds of coming back. Factor in an injured Eloy Jimenez, and an absent Yoan Moncada, that molehill quickly turned into Mt. Everest.
Keeping it in perspective, this is only one series, and the White Sox did win one game. Some bright notes from the overall: Moncada, Eloy, and Robert (who hit his first big league HR on Sunday) look primed and ready to take the White Sox to the next level. Dallas Kuechel also proved his worth after shutting down the Twins’ competitive offense.
Series 2 against the Cleveland Indians should be a big week for the White Sox. Dylan Cease and Carlos Rodon will have their season debuts on Tuesday’s doubleheader. On Wednesday, Lucas Giolito will get his chance for redemption in, what should be, an all-star pitching matchup against Cy Young hopeful Shane Bieber.
The White Sox need to take at least two out of three games against Cleveland, but a sweep would nice. The pitching needs to show improvement, especially knowing the Cleveland offense is not on par with the Twins.
Every team is still in the race after the first week. If the White Sox are going to change the losing South-Side culture into a winning one, they need to shake off that Twins series and sweep Cleveland.
LETS GO, GO WHITE SOX!