The White Sox were back in action last weekend when they played a home-and-home exhibition series against the north side rival Chicago Cubs.
These marked the first two of three total tune-up games (they host the Brewers on Wednesday) before the regular season finally kicks off on Friday. The White Sox will host the Twins for a three-game series once the season officially gets under way.
Here are three takeaways from the first pair of games after the team’s long hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
1. As expected, this lineup can hit.
In Sunday’s game, eight of the starting nine White Sox batters tallied at least one base hit. Only third baseman Cheslor Cuthbert, who was filling in for Yoan Moncada, didn’t reach base. Moncada rejoined the team late last week after testing positive for COVID-19 and being quarantined.
In Monday’s game, the White Sox scored five runs in the first inning against Cubs pitcher Yu Darvish, including a grand slam by left fielder Eloy Jimenez.
If these two games were any indication of the future, this lineup will be able to hit and score runs efficiently this season.
2. Keuchel looks like he’s ready.
In Monday’s game, offseason acquisition Dallas Keuchel pitched five scoreless innings, surrendering only one hit. This is exactly what the team and its fans were hoping for when they brought in the former Cy Young Award-winning lefty.
3. The bullpen may still be a concern.
The Sox bullpen gave up four of the six combined runs the team allowed in these two games. They’ve been of the most consistent liabilities for this team over the past few seasons, and that may continue this year. Still, if the offense can score runs consistently, they will mask the bullpen’s struggles.
All in all, the first two exhibitions showed that the shortened season that lies ahead for the south side of Chicago looks very bright. The team’s loyal fans have reason to be excited.
