The White Sox finally returned home after a long eight-game road trip to shatter a six-game winning streak. Everything looked like the stars aligned for the White Sox to make it a seven-game streak. Dallas Keuchel took the mound for the third time this season, but the White Sox offense could not back up Keuchel’s strong performance . Even though Keuchel got a loss on Wednesday, it was his best start (7IP 5H 1ER 1BB 8K 1L 97PC) as a member of the White Sox.
The White Sox offense had picked up during their time on the road, ranking in the top five for most offensive categories. Still, the hits and runs were few and far between on Monday against the Milwaukee Brewers. Brewers starter Adrian Houser (7IP 5H 0ER 2BB 5K 87PC 1W) did not overpower the White Sox heavy-hitting lineup but kept the White Sox team off-balance and kept any big innings from happening.
Fill-in second baseman Danny Mendick (3-3) was the only White Sox player with more than one hit while the rest of the team went a combined 3-26 in the game. It was good to see Mendick have a good match after the highly touted rookie 2B Nick Madrigal was placed on the IL with a separated shoulder. The White Sox are hoping to have Madrigal back no later than September, so Mendick and Luery Garcia will be filling-in. If Tim Anderson is not ready to come back from his IL stint later this week, then Garcia will keep playing SS, and Mendick will become the everyday second baseman until the team is fully healthy.
The White Sox are finally unleashing OF Luis Robert on the basepaths and using his amazing speed as yet another weapon for this offense. Robert has three steals in the last three games, and going forward, the White Sox should send this guy every time he gets on base because his speed is on an elite level. The speed of this team should help when the offense struggles as it did on Wednesday night. The offense should be back to smashing baseballs, but it is good to have a few speed demons in your back pocket.
The White Sox come into Thursday’s series finale with Brewers at 1-3. Even without fans, The White Sox have to start winning games at home.
The White Sox turn to Gio Gonzalez, making his second start for the White Sox against one of his former teams. Gonzalez needs to make sure he can go at least five innings, which he failed to do in his last start. The Brewers will be sending out Josh Lindblom (0-0 4.91ERA 1.64 WHIP 3.2IP 3H 5K 3BB), who the White Sox offense should have better success against.
The pen is well-rested heading into Thursday’s game; only Codi Heuer pitched yesterday with 2IP, 0H, 0ER, 0BB, and 3K. This series has been intense with every game being decided by two runs or less, and neither team has gotten an at-home win. Thursday night, the White Sox will get back to their winning ways and get a win at home going into the weekend series with the rival Cleveland Indians.