White Sox need less walks, more K’s from their bullpen
Sep 21, 2013; Detroit, MI, USA; Chicago White Sox manager Robin Ventura (23) talks to relief pitcher Nate Jones (65) against the Detroit Tigers at Comerica Park. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports
As a fan of the Chicago White Sox, I am sure I don’t stand alone in saying how tough it was to watch them last season, and it was not because of a lack of interest. There aren’t many hitters in the game right now better than Jose Abreu. He certainly is on my list of the guys in the game that when they come up to bat, I have to stop what I am doing and give them my full attention.
Adam Eaton is certainly fun to watch. How many guys put it all on the line every play like he does? And he looks like he is only going to keep improving.
Sep 24, 2014; Detroit, MI, USA; Chicago White Sox starting pitcher Chris Sale (49) pitches in the third inning against the Detroit Tigers at Comerica Park. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports
How about Chris Sale? He is the most filthy left-hander in the game not named Clayton Kershaw.
Sale goes out there every start and put his team in a position to win. Unfortunately for him, he had 10 starts end in no decisions due in large part to a pretty bad White Sox bullpen.
How bad?
No bullpen in baseball had more losses, walks and fewer strikeouts than the White Sox last season. They were 14th among American League teams in ERA, opponents batting average and percentage of runners left on base. And there efforts didn’t just hurt Sale.
Jose Quintana had 12 no decisions last season which was tied for seventh in the AL and John Danks had another 10 of his own.
As frustrating as it was to watch this group work, it should have surprised no one. The staff was completely made up of struggling veterans and minor leaguers.
Only Matt Lindstrom and Nate Jones have had any recent major league success and injuries ruined both their seasons. To put things into perspective, let me run some numbers by you.
Next: Numbers and the White Sox bullpen