Chicago White Sox at Oakland Athletics: 5 Bold Predictions

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May 9, 2014; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago White Sox shortstop Alexei Ramirez (10) reacts after hitting a Grand Slam against Arizona Diamondbacks starting pitcher Brandon McCarthy (not pictured) during the fourth inning at U.S Cellular Field. Mandatory Credit: Mike DiNovo-USA TODAY Sports

The Chicago White Sox are headed to the West Coast for the next three games as they take on the Oakland Athletics.

Oakland is currently in first place in the AL West with a record of 23-15, winning their past four games. The A’s are 5-5 in their last 10 games.

The White Sox have lost four of their last five games but are second place in the AL Central at 19-20 overall. Chicago is coming off two straight losses to the Arizona Diamondbacks.

A lot can happen in this series, because the White Sox are so inconsistent as of late, we never know what White Sox team we are going to watch on a given day.

I’m not expecting a lot from this series, but I’d like to see them play more competitive against the A’s than they did when they played the Diamondbacks this past weekend.

Here are my “5 Bold Predictions.”

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May 9, 2014; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago White Sox right fielder Moises Sierra (25) hits a foul ball into his body against the Arizona Diamondbacks during the third inning at U.S Cellular Field. Mandatory Credit: Mike DiNovo-USA TODAY Sports

1. The White Sox will win just one game in the series

In three of the past four games, the Chicago White Sox have proven to me they still have a lot of work ahead of them, even though they are playing (at times) more inspired baseball than they have in recent memory.

What bothers me about this ball club is the fact they can’t seem to sweep the teams that they should be sweeping. I know they won three of four against the Chicago Cubs, and that was fun to watch, but to lose game four of that series the way they did is bothersome.

Then the Arizona series this past weekend. For as well as they hit the ball on Friday night, they didn’t bother to show up the rest of the weekend, causing manager Robin Ventura to say it stinks.

I want this team to prove me wrong and win this series, but it is tough right now, with two of the best players on the roster sitting on the disabled list, for me to be super cheerful and rah-rah right now.

Apr 5, 2014; Kansas City, MO, USA; A general view of a Chicago White Sox players glove and hat before a game against the Kansas City Royals at Kauffman Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Peter G. Aiken-USA TODAY Sports

2. Frank Francisco will bring the bullpen some stability

For the White Sox … they’ve sent Maikel Cleto to the minors and have called up Frank Francisco to the big league roster.

He’s played in one game this season with the White Sox, already allowing one run on two hits in 1.2 innings pitched in the May 11 loss to the Diamondbacks. He does have three strikeouts, so that’s a plus, at least.

I’m giving him a mulligan on that appearance since it was his first one of the 2014 season, because the White Sox really need Francisco to produce for the inconsistent bullpen of the White Sox.

If he doesn’t, well, he’ll most likely suffer the fate others from this bullpen have suffered this season … getting a ticket to Charlotte.

May 7, 2014; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago White Sox first baseman Jose Abreu (79) hits a double against the Chicago Cubs during the third inning at U.S Cellular Field. Mandatory Credit: Mike DiNovo-USA TODAY Sports

3. Chicago won’t score more than 4 runs in any of the next three games

I know I’m sounding like a Debbie Downer, but until this team can prove on a consistent basis they can compete and play winning baseball against teams other than the Chicago Cubs and Cleveland Indians (the first time around), I can’t say with a straight face they can put up runs against a team that consistently makes the postseason.

Why would I want to lie and say everything is going to be all right, when it is right in front of us this team does have some issues, especially with runners in scoring position.

Some of it is the White Sox not having their full roster of players they really want due to injuries, but every team is like that. The problem is sometimes I just have the feeling the White Sox aren’t 100 percent into these games for a full nine innings.

There have been some really fun games this season where the White Sox won in walk-off fashion, and that is great to experience, but I would like to see this team have a comfortable lead as they reach the ninth inning, rather than hope for some late-inning heroics.

I still believe this team will eventually come around and play the type of baseball I know they can on a consistent basis, but we’re going to have to have some patience as they figure out a few of the roster spots.

May 9, 2014; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago White Sox second baseman Gordon Beckham (15) throws the ball to first base against the Arizona Diamondbacks during the seventh inning at U.S Cellular Field. Mandatory Credit: Mike DiNovo-USA TODAY Sports

4. Player to Watch this series: Gordon Beckham

It is now time for Beckham to produce at the plate on a consistent basis. There I am again with the word “consistent.”

I’m still a backer of Beckham being on this team, as he’s proven he can hit the baseball his past 10 games with a .302 batting average. He has one four-hit game and is coming off a two-hit game on Sunday.

He seems to be coming into his own this season since returning from his back injury from spring training, so I believe he’ll continue to keep this type of pace up against the Athletics.

He has at least one hit in nine of the past 10 games.

May 3, 2014; Cleveland, OH, USA; Chicago White Sox manager Robin Ventura (23) talks to umpire Chris Guccione (68) as catcher Tyler Flowers (21) looks on during the game against the Cleveland Indians at Progressive Field. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports

5. The White Sox will be more inspired this series … I hope

I believe Robin Ventura is really going to do something if this team doesn’t play with a little more inspiration, because if they don’t play with some hustle against the Athletics in the series, we might be seeing some different players in the lineup soon.

Can you really blame him?

Though I see the White Sox struggling in this upcoming series, I do believe they will play with a little more spark starting Monday night … at least I hope for their sake, because I think the grace period of Ventura being patient is about over.

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