All the analysts and critics are still 50/50 on the White Sox and Dane Dunning because they only have one series victory against a winning team, the Chicago Cubs. Tuesday, Dunning and the White Sox put themselves in good shape to finally win a series against a good team in their division.
Dunning (7IP 3H 1ER 2BB 7K 102PC 1W) pitched the best game of his White Sox career on Tuesday night and proved that he is the real deal. This was the first time that Dunning was able to pitch into the 7th inning and hit the century mark in pitches. Dunning has only gotten better with each start, and now he has put himself in line to start games in the playoffs.
SS Tim Anderson and 1B Jose Abreu may end up being co-MVP winners if they keep going on this tear they are on. Both players had three more hits each tonight, and are just impossible to get out. Abreu is going for the most hits and RBI’s in a season. He would only be the fourth player ever (Jim Rice, Carl Yastrzemski, and Joe Dimaggio) to achieve that goal in a season. Anderson has moved his batting average up to .377 and is well on his way to his second straight batting title.
The Bullpen didn’t have to work as much tonight with Dunning’s great start. The White Sox did get to welcome Jace Fry back to the team, although the Twins wish he had stayed on the injured list. Fry (1.1IP 0H 0ER 1BB 4K) came in and struck out everybody. He looks ready to rock and roll in the playoffs. The pen held it down, and the White Sox won 6-2 to take the first two games against the Twins.
The White Sox will be sending Lucas Giolito to take on Jake Odorizzi, who is coming off of the IL to make his first start since August 21st. The White Sox now hold a three-game lead on the Twins, and they pushed their magic number down to three games to clinch a playoff spot.