Prediction Five: The White Sox Will Make a Run at .500
Jul 4, 2015; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago White Sox left fielder Melky Cabrera (left) and right fielder Avisail Garcia (center) and center fielder Adam Eaton (right) celebrate the final out of the ninth inning against the Baltimore Orioles at U.S Cellular Field. Chicago won 3-2. Mandatory Credit: Dennis Wierzbicki-USA TODAY Sports
If there weren’t so many teams between the White Sox and the American League’s Second Wild Card, I’d say there was a real shot at them making things interesting.
At seven games back, this is a team that at least has the on-paper talent and personnel to make up that kind of deficit.
The issue is that the White Sox are where they are, but that doesn’t necessarily mean we’re in line for a 2013 0r 2014-like finish. The White Sox currently possess a 60-68 record, but the pitching exists such that an 8-2 type of run is always in play.
It’s just a matter of the bats syncing up with the electric arms. I think it’s safe to say Chris Sale, Jose Quintana, and Carlos Rodon should finish out the season strong. Erik Johnson could even get a spot start at some point, which likely means another winnable game.
The White Sox are also set to play ten games against the Cleveland Indians and Oakland Athletics, which are teams they should in theory do well against. Six games against the Detroit Tigers could do wonders as well, assuming Detroit will be giving quite a bit of playing time to the inexperienced youth in their system.
I also think the White Sox will probably get within striking distance (at least three games out) of a playoff spot again, but I’m not confident that they can continue a high-octane run into the postseason. I mean stranger things have happened.
If I were to make a truly bold prediction, I’d say the White Sox will go on a run that brings them to .500, but it’ll likely be too little too late for this frustratingly inconsistent ball club.
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