Can the White Sox Contend in 2014?
Jun 2, 2014; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Chicago White Sox first baseman
Jose Abreu(79) is congratulated by left fielder
Dayan Viciedo(24) and second baseman
Gordon Beckham(15) after hitting a two-run home run in the fourth inning as Los Angeles Dodgers catcher
Drew Butera(31) watches at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
In case you missed it, Eric Wedge and Alex Cora of ESPN’s Baseball Tonight discussed whether the Chicago White Sox can contend for a playoff spot in 2014.
Wedge thinks they can contend because of parity in the American League and the impact of Jose Abreu’s return to the lineup.
Cora thinks that pitching will prevent the White Sox from competing for an AL Wild Card spot. He points specifically at the bullpen. Cora does, however, wisely concede that the offense is good, that the Sox should stay around .500, and that they are built for the future. (Cora thinks the Cleveland Indians are coming around, and that they will compete with Detroit at the top of the division. We’ll see.)
Bearing the American League’s parity in mind, I think a .500 record puts an American League team near the second Wild Card playoff spot. Playing at a .500-level and getting a few breaks has won teams 83 to 84 games before, and that could be how few wins it will take to grab the second Wild Card spot in the American League this season. Therefore, I think the Chicago White can contend for a playoff spot in 2014.
What do you think?