This week has been extremely rough for the White Sox and their fans. They lost five in a row heading into Saturday’s game with their crosstown rivals, the Chicago Cubs. The White Sox that people have grown to love over the 2020 season showed up on Saturday night on Chicago’s southside.
Dane Dunning (3IP 3H 4ER 3BB 2K 64PC) didn’t do himself any favors with this performance, for the second start in a row. After a wonderful start to his career, Dunning has not made it through five innings, showing that he is not ready to be the third starter in the postseason. As of now, Reynaldo Lopez should be the third starter in the rotation. He has made three straight starts of at least 5IP with 3ER or less. If he comes out tomorrow and maintains that same performance level, he deserves that spot in the rotation.
The bullpen (6IP 2H 0ER 1BB 6K 1W) was amazing and put this game in lockdown mode once Dunning left. Garret Crochet dazzled yet again. This was the first time he worked more than one inning, and he looked just as good in his second inning. He is the swiss army knife of this bullpen and the most dangerous weapon for any team.
Aaron Bummer made his second appearance and had another great inning. Evan Marshall came back to the bullpen and made his first appearance in about two weeks. He also looked good, throwing nine pitches to get three outs. This bullpen is healthy and one of the White Sox’s biggest strengths heading into the playoffs.
The offense finally came to life tonight against Jon Lester (3.2IP 6H 7ER 3BB 3K 1L), ending the season with a perfect record (14-0) against left-handed pitchers. Yoan Moncada (2-4 2R 3RBI 1HR) is starting to look a lot more like himself at the plate, which is as huge. When Moncada is going right, he gives the White Sox a fourth MVP along with Eloy Jimenez, Tim Anderson, and Jose Abreu. Abreu (2-5 3RBI) added to his mammoth RBI total and should win MVP this season.
The White Sox still have a shot at winning the division if they can beat the Cubs tomorrow and the Twins lose to the Reds. Reynaldo Lopez will take the mound for the White Sox while the Cubs are throwing out Adbert Alzolay. After clinching their playoff spot, the Cubs are allowing their starting pitchers to rest. The White Sox need to keep this intensity and focus. Tuesday is right around the corner. The White Sox should take down the division and ride high into the playoffs.