Chicago White Sox Morning BP: Starting pitching woes in '14

Aug 15, 2014; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago White Sox starting pitcher Hector Noesi (48) throws against the Toronto Blue Jays during the first inning at U.S Cellular Field. Mandatory Credit: David Banks-USA TODAY Sports

Thank goodness the Chicago White Sox were able to have doluble-digit run support for Hector Noesi and the bullpen on Friday night, because if they didn’t we would have been looking at another White Sox loss.

The White Sox were very lucky the offense had one of their “good nights,” because the starting pitching sure didn’t have much to offer, and it is a shame there is still that much inconsistency with the rotation of the White Sox in mid-August.

Aug 10, 2014; Seattle, WA, USA; Chicago White Sox manager

Robin Ventura

(23) walks out to talk with Chicago White Sox starting pitcher

John Danks

(50) during the seventh inning against the Seattle Mariners at Safeco Field. Mandatory Credit: Steven Bisig-USA TODAY Sports

Noesi allowed five earned runs in the five innings he pitched, and besides Chris Sale, and sometimes Jose Quintana the starting pitching of the White Sox is lackluster.

It needs to be a big part of the offseason repairs of this ball club.

Here is a look at the ERA and other stats of the five current White Sox pitchers in the rotation (the stats are their numbers when they’ve made a start):

• Chris Sale (10-2) — 2.01 ERA, 19 starts, 130,0 IP, 29 ER, 150 Ks, .196 opponent BA, 0.88 WHIP (walks plus hits, divided by IP).

• Jose Quintana (6-9) — 3.14 ERA, 25 starts, 154.2 IP, 54 ER, 136 Ks, .246 opp. BA, 1.23 WHIP.

• Hector Noesi (7-7) — 4.40 ERA, 20 starts, 118.2 IP, 58 ER, 85 Ks, .263 opp. BA, 1.39 WHIP.

• John Danks (9-8) — 4.96 ERA, 24 starts, 147.0 IP, 83 ER, 100 Ks, .277 opp. BA, 1.48 WHIP.

• Scott Carroll (3-7) — 5.63 ERA, 13 starts, 72.0 IP, 45 ER, 37 Ks, .306 opp. BA, 1.60 WHIP.

There have been four others to make a combined 21 starts for the White Sox this season, but they are either back in the bullpen or currently with the Triple-A Charlotte Knights.

In looking at the numbers of the five current White Sox starters before Saturday’s game, it is easy to see a lot of changes will need to be made in spots 3-5, but I don’t know if the White Sox will or be able to part with Danks this offseason due to his sizable contract he’s owed next season.

I’m not sure many teams would be willing to take off of that with a nearly 5.00 ERA for the LHP.

Also with Danks (before Saturday’s start) his ERA since the conclusion of the All-Start break is not good at all. The post-ASG ERA of Danks is 9.22 with a 1-2 mark in 27.1 IP.

Danks has allowed 28 ER in five starts since returning from the All-Star break, with opponents having a .360 batting average against him and a WHIP of 1.90.

Compare that to Sale, whose ERA is 1.80 in five starts since the All-Star break or even Quintana with a 2.80 ERA in six post ASG starts.

There is a lot that needs to be changed with this starting rotation right now, but since the regular season has a month and a half left, the White Sox need to start focusing on what they are going to be doing this offseason, instead of the current, because there isn’t much hope for a postseason birth in ’14 left.

Thoughts?

Chicago White Sox Morning BP: Starting pitching woes in ’14

By Stephen Forsha | Aug 16, 2014