Dallas Kuechel might have another career as a motivational speaker after he is done with baseball. After Monday night’s loss to the Detroit Tigers, Kuchel let the world know what he thought at the post-game interview. And it seemed to get the best out of this White Sox team.
Kuechel called out the entire team for their lack of focus and not caring about the game. Well, they responded by playing their best game of the season. The White Sox defeated the Detroit Tigers 8-4 on Tuesday night, and it never felt like a close game. No doubt, Kuechel’s speech had an impact, but we cannot gloss over the long-awaited return of Tim Anderson and what it means to this team.
The White Sox’ emotional leader, SS Tim Anderson, was back in the lineup on Tuesday. Anderson came off his IL stint after exactly ten days and slid right back into his leadoff spot. His attitude, swagger, and the overall joy of being on the field are infectious. You could see it in the players on Tuesday night; the whole White Sox team was back to enjoying the game.
The White Sox came out with that extra something and blasted their way to four quick runs in the top of the first inning. Anderson started it off with a walk, Yasmani Grandal smacked a single, Jose Abreu tattooed a ball for a double to get the White Sox on the board, and then Eloy Jimenez hit a laser of a home run to add another four runs on the board for the White Sox. Edwin Encarnacion also returned to the lineup on Tuesday and busted out the parrot trot after his 400+ foot home run.
The offense set the tone with that first inning, and for the first time in a long time, it was offense leading the team. Before Tuesday, the offense was having massive issues with stranding men on base, but in this game, the White Sox made every hit count. They had a total of eight hits and eight runs in this game.
There were a few weak spots for the White Sox in this game. Luis Robert and Yoan Moncada, the White Sox’ two most consistent hitters all season to date, went a combined 0-9 with four strikeouts. Robert has been cooling off lately, with his average dipping below .300. Moncada ended his 20 games on-base streak on Tuesday. Renteria stated that Moncada has been playing through some nagging injuries and will have Wednesday off.
Aside from Ian Hamilton, the only pitcher (.1IP 1H 2ER 2BB 0K) who was flat-out off on Tuesday night, the White Sox pitching staff was solid.
Gio Gonzalez put in his best performance (4.2IP 6H 2ER 1BB 2K) so far as a member of the White Sox, and the bullpen held it down for him after exiting the game. Rick Renteria robbed Gonzalez from his first win by pulling him one out before the fourth ended. On the other hand, Gonzalez had given up a two-run home run, cutting the lead to 5-2. After Gonzalez let a single, Renteria turned to the bullpen, to ensure whatever comeback the Tigers thought they had, ended right then and there.
Jimmy Cordero ended the threat in the 5th inning, and then young flame-throwing upstart Matt Foster came out and dominated for the next two innings. Foster has been one of the biggest unsung heroes of this White Sox team. He has yet to give up a run in any of his appearances, and Tuesday (2IP 0H 0ER 0BB 4K 1W) was terrific. Foster makes the loss of Aaron Bummer not seem as dire with his fantastic play. Zach Burdi and Steve Cishek both pitched clean innings, securing the win for the White Sox.
The White Sox will trot out Dylan Cease, looking for his third straight win against the Tigers’ Matt Boyd. The White Sox need to hold onto the confidence and joy they played with on Tuesday night if they want to take the series against Detroit. When the White Sox just come out and play baseball, they are among the most dangerous-looking teams in the MLB.
Whether it was Dallas Kuechel getting the White Sox fired up or the return of Tim Anderson and Edwin Encarnacion, the team brought some much-needed energy to the field. The energy that they need to hold onto and play good, fun baseball again.