Post by Commissioner Erick on Dec 18, 2018 0:51:24 GMT -5
New York Yankees (45-30) @ Chicago White Sox (51-24)
NYY: Masahiro Tanaka (9-2, 3.06)
CHW: Carlos Rodon (8-2, 3.86)
After being eliminated by the Yankees in last season's postseason, the White Sox would love to take revenge on last year's AL champs. Chicago has already swept New York once earlier this season and would love to deal a message-sending blow of sweeping the season series.
The last two AL representatives in the World Series square off when the Chicago White Sox host the New York Yankees.
Like the last two White Sox teams, this version is top-heavy with a great staff, late relievers, and a few select superstars in their lineup. Andrew Benintendi is an MVP candidate yet again and is turning in the best offensive year of his career. His .416 OBP is second in the AL, and his .602 slugging number is third. He leads the AL in wOBA and extra base hits and is a sheer terror at the plate.
He's generally flanked by Corey D. Ray, a talented youngster third in slugging, but who is out with a hamstring injury. Rafael Devers is having a down year for him, but still provides thump and a good approach. Tim Anderson has rebounded off a down 2019 and Yoan Moncada leads the league in doubles at the top of the lineup.
Outside of Anderson and Benintendi, most of those players are having down years compared to last season. However, the dropoffs are coming from such overwhelming heights and Benintnedi is still celestial at the plate. Thanks to those factors, the top of the order is still dynamic.
Chicago still struggles to get production from other places. Eugenio Suarez was supposed to be a missing piece to round out the lineup, but his time in Chicago was disastrous, hitting .195 with 10 home runs in 100 games with the club. Brendan McKay hasn't hit, Brandon Nimmo hasn't hit, and Gavin Cecchini hasn't hit. Alfredo Despaigne has been a blessing but Chicago's search for one more competent bat continues.
The Yankees, meanwhile, have tailed off after a brilliant start. Aaron Judge suffering a hamstring strain in late April coincides really well with New York's cooldown. They were 12-0 before getting swept by the White Sox. Judge got hurt in the opener of a series with the Pirates, and after going 12-3 to start have gone 33-27 since. That's still a good record, but a far cry from the juggernaut the Yankees appeared to be.
Judge was hitting .246 with six home runs and 18 RBIs in 16 games at the time of his hamstring strain. Since coming back he's batting .149 with a .213 OBP, and just five walks to 26 strikeouts. Judge had 32 home runs last year in only 104 games, so if he can return to either last year's pace or April's, he'll give the Yankees another weapon.
Masahiro Tanaka has been a weapon all season long. Ever since last year's postseason, where he went 4-1 with a 2.41 ERA and 0.91 WHIP, he's been on a hot streak. He pitched for Japan's national team in the WBC and went 2-0 with a 2.41 ERA in three starts with three walks and 17 strikeouts. The last time Tanaka faced the White Sox in a game that counted was last year's ALDS Game 6. He worked 7.2 innings, allowing just two hits, and striking out nine. The White Sox have an explosive lineup, but the Yankees know they have that kind of pitcher who can tame it.
Questions for the GMs:
For Greg Masceri, Mark Payton is hitting over .300 with 12 home runs. What convinced you to give him a shot in the first place this year?
Your squad isn't hitting for a high average this year. Does that concern you at all?
Your team got swept by the White Sox earlier this year. How important do you feel it is to beat them tonight?
For Mike Ball, your lineup is explosive but Tanaka has been excellent and had your number in the postseason last year. Do you feel confident going up against him?
Eugenio Suarez is now off the team. How does this affect your roster?
You're looking for a backup catcher. Were you expecting Jacob Nottingham or Christian Vazquez to fill the role better this year?
NYY: Masahiro Tanaka (9-2, 3.06)
CHW: Carlos Rodon (8-2, 3.86)
After being eliminated by the Yankees in last season's postseason, the White Sox would love to take revenge on last year's AL champs. Chicago has already swept New York once earlier this season and would love to deal a message-sending blow of sweeping the season series.
The last two AL representatives in the World Series square off when the Chicago White Sox host the New York Yankees.
Like the last two White Sox teams, this version is top-heavy with a great staff, late relievers, and a few select superstars in their lineup. Andrew Benintendi is an MVP candidate yet again and is turning in the best offensive year of his career. His .416 OBP is second in the AL, and his .602 slugging number is third. He leads the AL in wOBA and extra base hits and is a sheer terror at the plate.
He's generally flanked by Corey D. Ray, a talented youngster third in slugging, but who is out with a hamstring injury. Rafael Devers is having a down year for him, but still provides thump and a good approach. Tim Anderson has rebounded off a down 2019 and Yoan Moncada leads the league in doubles at the top of the lineup.
Outside of Anderson and Benintendi, most of those players are having down years compared to last season. However, the dropoffs are coming from such overwhelming heights and Benintnedi is still celestial at the plate. Thanks to those factors, the top of the order is still dynamic.
Chicago still struggles to get production from other places. Eugenio Suarez was supposed to be a missing piece to round out the lineup, but his time in Chicago was disastrous, hitting .195 with 10 home runs in 100 games with the club. Brendan McKay hasn't hit, Brandon Nimmo hasn't hit, and Gavin Cecchini hasn't hit. Alfredo Despaigne has been a blessing but Chicago's search for one more competent bat continues.
The Yankees, meanwhile, have tailed off after a brilliant start. Aaron Judge suffering a hamstring strain in late April coincides really well with New York's cooldown. They were 12-0 before getting swept by the White Sox. Judge got hurt in the opener of a series with the Pirates, and after going 12-3 to start have gone 33-27 since. That's still a good record, but a far cry from the juggernaut the Yankees appeared to be.
Judge was hitting .246 with six home runs and 18 RBIs in 16 games at the time of his hamstring strain. Since coming back he's batting .149 with a .213 OBP, and just five walks to 26 strikeouts. Judge had 32 home runs last year in only 104 games, so if he can return to either last year's pace or April's, he'll give the Yankees another weapon.
Masahiro Tanaka has been a weapon all season long. Ever since last year's postseason, where he went 4-1 with a 2.41 ERA and 0.91 WHIP, he's been on a hot streak. He pitched for Japan's national team in the WBC and went 2-0 with a 2.41 ERA in three starts with three walks and 17 strikeouts. The last time Tanaka faced the White Sox in a game that counted was last year's ALDS Game 6. He worked 7.2 innings, allowing just two hits, and striking out nine. The White Sox have an explosive lineup, but the Yankees know they have that kind of pitcher who can tame it.
Questions for the GMs:
For Greg Masceri, Mark Payton is hitting over .300 with 12 home runs. What convinced you to give him a shot in the first place this year?
Your squad isn't hitting for a high average this year. Does that concern you at all?
Your team got swept by the White Sox earlier this year. How important do you feel it is to beat them tonight?
For Mike Ball, your lineup is explosive but Tanaka has been excellent and had your number in the postseason last year. Do you feel confident going up against him?
Eugenio Suarez is now off the team. How does this affect your roster?
You're looking for a backup catcher. Were you expecting Jacob Nottingham or Christian Vazquez to fill the role better this year?
