Post by Commissioner Erick on Dec 7, 2018 20:48:13 GMT -5
Chicago White Sox (42-14) @ Tampa Bay Rays (31-28)
CHW: Eduardo Rodriguez (6-3, 3.03)
TB: Madison Bumgarner (5-1, 2.91)
The Chicago White Sox have made it a habit to get a great performance from a young phenom every season and 2020 is no exception.
We'll have to see what Corey D. Ray has in store for the best pitching team in the American League though.
Corey D. Ray and the Chicago White Sox face off against Madison Bumgarner and the Tampa Bay Rays in the Game of the Week.
The White Sox have continued to add to a dynamic young core, and getting Corey D. Ray simply gives the White Sox even more riches in terms of young spectacular players on the roster. Only 25 years old and in his first big league season, Ray has a .326 average that's third in the league, a .993 OPS that's tied for fourth, and a pair of walk-off home runs that showcase how awesome he's been in the clutch.
Ray was acquired in a 2019 offseason deal with Milwaukee that the Brewers aren't down in the dumps about. Charlie Tilson is getting on base at a good clip, playing good defense, and stealing bases in Milwaukee, while Jorge Polanco is hitting .351 in his second year as a Brewer. Milwaukee also collected a first and second round pick from Milwaukee, though Talbot Owry and Austin Bodrato don't look like stars early in their pro careers, plus the Brewers unloaded Lorenzo Cain's salary in the deal.
Milwaukee got a lot of value in the deal, but Chicago got a pair of stars. Ray hit .276 with 12 home runs in 191 Plate Appearances last season with the White Sox before his turn as an MVP candidate this year. He's checking off all the boxes, hitting for average, for power, hitting lefties, hitting in every month, and hitting in the clutch. He's only 25, and he looks like he'll be in Chicago's outfield for a decade.
The White Sox also got a star pitcher we'll see tomorrow in the deal. After shoulder woes led to a lost 2019, Salazar has gone 7-0 with a 0.49 ERA in seven starts this season. He's been a wonderful addition to a wonderful staff that keeps pumping out exceptional pitching.
Eduardo Rodriguez will start tonight and he continues to get better every year. Rodriguez won 17 games last year and is doing even better this season. His 3.03 ERA would be a career best, he's improved his grounder rate to 61%, and his 3.12 FIP is fifth in the AL. Rodriguez' big change has been his ability to stop giving up home runs to righties. He's allowed just two this year, and his .610 OPS allowed to righties is way down from last year's .743 number.
With starters like Rodriguez, Chicago's bullpen hasn't been overworked. They've pitched the fewest innings in the league, allowing the unit to be sharp and fresh. Jimmie Sherfy has taken over as closer following a trade with Arizona, and he has 12 saves thus far, striking out 27 in 18.2 innings. Tony Zych and Derek Law have dueling 1.96 ERAs, and Reynaldo Lopez has settled in as a reliever with a 1.53 ERA through 15 games.
With such a complete roster, it's no wonder Chicago pulled off an amazing feat, going 24-2 between May 7 and June 4. As a result, despite going just 1-5 against Cleveland, the White Sox have surged to a 42-14 record to share first place with the equally 42-14 Indians.
Tampa Bay has also overcome a sluggish start, and an inability to beat its division rival early to surge back into a division race. The Rays lost their first six against the Yankees and after losing the first three of a four-game set to the Royals, were eight-games behind the Yankees on May 13th. Steven Matz went 8 shutout innings to beat the Royals in the finale, Brent Honeywell kicked off a sweep of the Red Sox with a shutout the next day, and Tampa Bay has kept winning, going 18-5 since May 13. They've done it with pitching, allowing over three runs just seven times in their last 23 games.
After a stinging loss in the postseason last year and a disaster in the World Baseball Classic this spring, Madison Bumgarner has been looking to reclaim his title of being a big game pitcher. He's produced the second most strikeouts and the third highest WAR in the league, reminding everyone of just what an ace he is. Bumgarner faced this iteration of the White Sox for the first time last season and had an okay start, allowing three runs in 5 innings, showing good command of the strike zone, but giving up a home run to Andrew Benintendi.
The Rays will need more than an okay start from him today as Tampa Bay's offense hasn't been as good against lefties like Rodriguez compared to righties. The Rays are active on the bases, leading to a second place ranking in steals. Tampa Bay also still slugs, as Brad Miller has 14 home runs, and Matt Chapman has 13 despite a .221 average. However, the majority of the best players bat from the left side.
In the past, switch-hitting Casey Gillaspie would have helped with that, as he hit 24 home runs from the right side the past two years. However, he's been brutal this year, going .175/.281/.367 for a -0.6 WAR. Gillaspie has been removed from the lineup and has only gotten eight at bats since May 24th.
Tampa Bay has tried Jesus B. Sanchez, but with a .309 slugging number after over 100 at bats, he isn't helping the cause. Everybody else is producing, but "everyone else" also skews heavily left-handed. It will likely require Gillaspie turning things around or Tampa Bay making a move should the Rays want a more balanced lineup.
Or perhaps they don't need one. If their assemblage of powerful lefties can have success against a strong arm in Rodriguez tonight, maybe the Rays front office will feel confident that the guys they have are all they need to get the job done against playoff-caliber pitchers.
Questions for the GMs:
For Mike Ball, Alfredo Despaigne has answered all the questions and is having a potential Rookie-of-the-Year season. How have you felt about the risk you took in signing him?
You thought you were getting a star when you traded for Eugenio Suarez last year. How disappointed are you in his lack of production this year?
Tampa Bay has a heck of a lineup, but very left-handed. How confident are you in slowing them down, considering you have a lefty going tonight?
For Graham Stratford, Casey Gillaspie has been benched. Is that a long-term thing, or just a short-term move to get his head right and see what else your other players can provide? Your team has been better with him out.
How have Adames and Giminez been in their shared shortstop role?
Corey D. Ray won't be as good against Bumgarner since it will be a lefty on lefty matchup, but he'll likely be batting in front of Eugenio Suarez who has been awful. Would you like Bumgarner to be careful working to Ray?
CHW: Eduardo Rodriguez (6-3, 3.03)
TB: Madison Bumgarner (5-1, 2.91)
The Chicago White Sox have made it a habit to get a great performance from a young phenom every season and 2020 is no exception.
We'll have to see what Corey D. Ray has in store for the best pitching team in the American League though.
Corey D. Ray and the Chicago White Sox face off against Madison Bumgarner and the Tampa Bay Rays in the Game of the Week.
The White Sox have continued to add to a dynamic young core, and getting Corey D. Ray simply gives the White Sox even more riches in terms of young spectacular players on the roster. Only 25 years old and in his first big league season, Ray has a .326 average that's third in the league, a .993 OPS that's tied for fourth, and a pair of walk-off home runs that showcase how awesome he's been in the clutch.
Ray was acquired in a 2019 offseason deal with Milwaukee that the Brewers aren't down in the dumps about. Charlie Tilson is getting on base at a good clip, playing good defense, and stealing bases in Milwaukee, while Jorge Polanco is hitting .351 in his second year as a Brewer. Milwaukee also collected a first and second round pick from Milwaukee, though Talbot Owry and Austin Bodrato don't look like stars early in their pro careers, plus the Brewers unloaded Lorenzo Cain's salary in the deal.
Milwaukee got a lot of value in the deal, but Chicago got a pair of stars. Ray hit .276 with 12 home runs in 191 Plate Appearances last season with the White Sox before his turn as an MVP candidate this year. He's checking off all the boxes, hitting for average, for power, hitting lefties, hitting in every month, and hitting in the clutch. He's only 25, and he looks like he'll be in Chicago's outfield for a decade.
The White Sox also got a star pitcher we'll see tomorrow in the deal. After shoulder woes led to a lost 2019, Salazar has gone 7-0 with a 0.49 ERA in seven starts this season. He's been a wonderful addition to a wonderful staff that keeps pumping out exceptional pitching.
Eduardo Rodriguez will start tonight and he continues to get better every year. Rodriguez won 17 games last year and is doing even better this season. His 3.03 ERA would be a career best, he's improved his grounder rate to 61%, and his 3.12 FIP is fifth in the AL. Rodriguez' big change has been his ability to stop giving up home runs to righties. He's allowed just two this year, and his .610 OPS allowed to righties is way down from last year's .743 number.
With starters like Rodriguez, Chicago's bullpen hasn't been overworked. They've pitched the fewest innings in the league, allowing the unit to be sharp and fresh. Jimmie Sherfy has taken over as closer following a trade with Arizona, and he has 12 saves thus far, striking out 27 in 18.2 innings. Tony Zych and Derek Law have dueling 1.96 ERAs, and Reynaldo Lopez has settled in as a reliever with a 1.53 ERA through 15 games.
With such a complete roster, it's no wonder Chicago pulled off an amazing feat, going 24-2 between May 7 and June 4. As a result, despite going just 1-5 against Cleveland, the White Sox have surged to a 42-14 record to share first place with the equally 42-14 Indians.
Tampa Bay has also overcome a sluggish start, and an inability to beat its division rival early to surge back into a division race. The Rays lost their first six against the Yankees and after losing the first three of a four-game set to the Royals, were eight-games behind the Yankees on May 13th. Steven Matz went 8 shutout innings to beat the Royals in the finale, Brent Honeywell kicked off a sweep of the Red Sox with a shutout the next day, and Tampa Bay has kept winning, going 18-5 since May 13. They've done it with pitching, allowing over three runs just seven times in their last 23 games.
After a stinging loss in the postseason last year and a disaster in the World Baseball Classic this spring, Madison Bumgarner has been looking to reclaim his title of being a big game pitcher. He's produced the second most strikeouts and the third highest WAR in the league, reminding everyone of just what an ace he is. Bumgarner faced this iteration of the White Sox for the first time last season and had an okay start, allowing three runs in 5 innings, showing good command of the strike zone, but giving up a home run to Andrew Benintendi.
The Rays will need more than an okay start from him today as Tampa Bay's offense hasn't been as good against lefties like Rodriguez compared to righties. The Rays are active on the bases, leading to a second place ranking in steals. Tampa Bay also still slugs, as Brad Miller has 14 home runs, and Matt Chapman has 13 despite a .221 average. However, the majority of the best players bat from the left side.
In the past, switch-hitting Casey Gillaspie would have helped with that, as he hit 24 home runs from the right side the past two years. However, he's been brutal this year, going .175/.281/.367 for a -0.6 WAR. Gillaspie has been removed from the lineup and has only gotten eight at bats since May 24th.
Tampa Bay has tried Jesus B. Sanchez, but with a .309 slugging number after over 100 at bats, he isn't helping the cause. Everybody else is producing, but "everyone else" also skews heavily left-handed. It will likely require Gillaspie turning things around or Tampa Bay making a move should the Rays want a more balanced lineup.
Or perhaps they don't need one. If their assemblage of powerful lefties can have success against a strong arm in Rodriguez tonight, maybe the Rays front office will feel confident that the guys they have are all they need to get the job done against playoff-caliber pitchers.
Questions for the GMs:
For Mike Ball, Alfredo Despaigne has answered all the questions and is having a potential Rookie-of-the-Year season. How have you felt about the risk you took in signing him?
You thought you were getting a star when you traded for Eugenio Suarez last year. How disappointed are you in his lack of production this year?
Tampa Bay has a heck of a lineup, but very left-handed. How confident are you in slowing them down, considering you have a lefty going tonight?
For Graham Stratford, Casey Gillaspie has been benched. Is that a long-term thing, or just a short-term move to get his head right and see what else your other players can provide? Your team has been better with him out.
How have Adames and Giminez been in their shared shortstop role?
Corey D. Ray won't be as good against Bumgarner since it will be a lefty on lefty matchup, but he'll likely be batting in front of Eugenio Suarez who has been awful. Would you like Bumgarner to be careful working to Ray?
