Cubs are on Fire while White Sox are Improving

May 11. 2019

Prior to the baseball season the prevailing thought was that all the teams in the National League Central were improved and could challenge the Cubs. Fans were clamoring for the Cubs to make a move, such as signing free agent reliever Craig Kimbrel. President of Baseball Operations, Theo Epstein, assured Cub Nation the Cubs could win a World Series as currently constructed.

After a slow start, the Cubs turned on the jets and not only are they in first place in their division, they own the best record in the National League. When asked what the key was as to why the Cubs were playing great, Anthony Rizzo said pitching and defense. The other teams did get better but not in the pitching department where the Cubs dominate their opponents. Veterans Jon Lester and Cole Hamels are having a turn back the clock year. Kyle Hendricks is finding his groove, evidenced by an 81 pitch shutout. Jose Quintana’s 3.50 ERA is the highest of the four starters. They may have found a fifth starter, Yu Montgomery. If you thought the relief pitching needed an upgrade, despite not having Pedro Strop, the relievers combined for 8 innings of shutout baseball in their 15 inning win over the Milwaukee Brewers.

The offense hasn’t been too shabby. Kris Bryant has found his stroke making him one the most feared hitters. He and Javier Baez have over a 900 OPS. Anthony Rizzo continues to drive in runs. A rejuvenated Wilson Contreras is batting over .300 with 10 home runs, equaling his total from last year. Jason Hayward has looked pretty good at lead off with a .361 on-base percentage.

By now you should know to never doubt Epstein. He’s the best individual running a baseball team. Barring injuries, this team will win the pennant. Who knows, another World Series?

Things are looking up for the White Sox. They are 19-22. Last year they didn’t  win their 19th game until June 5th.  Some of the core pieces of the rebuild are starting to blossom. There have been many nice moments for a team that hasn’t many in the recent past.

It seems as if Lucas Giolito and Reynaldo Lopez have turned the corner. They have had quality outings in their last three starts. The formula for quality outings has been three runs in 6 innings. This gives you a 4.50 ERA. What the Sox pitchers are doing is pitching into the eighth inning, giving up two or fewer runs. Third starter Ivan Nova had a couple of bad starts but has been terrific as of late.  However, Dylan Covey, replacing Carlos Rodon, and reliever Manny Banuelos as a fifth starter, have been awful.  The bullpen has found a right handed set- up man Evan Marshall and a left hander Aaron Bummer who haven’t given up a run. Closer Alex Colome is 8 for 8 in save opportunities.

Despite today’s 9-0 loss to Cleveland, the White Sox can score runs. It seems as a multitude of players contribute on different nights. Tim Anderson Is having a breakout season. He is among the top hitters average wise, has power and is second in stolen bases. Former number one prospect, Yoan Moncada is having a good season and is getting better every day. Jose Abreu has 10 home runs and is second in the league in RBI. In one of the biggest surprises of the year, catcher James McCann is hitting over .360, with a .604 slugging percentage and a 1.028 OPS. This line-up will get better once Eloy Jimenez comes back and replaces Nicky Delmonico in left field. Their line-up also got better with the demotion of Adam Engel. The Sox promoted Charley Tilson. Although he may be the center fielder of the future, in a little less than two weeks he has more hits than Engel would get in three months.

The future may have looked brighter if not for the injury to Rodon. He was supposed to be the number one starter. If Banuelos is hurt, who will replace him? If they somehow end up .500 it would be a very successful season. Only time will tell.