Series Preview: White Sox vs Indians

Apr 7, 2016; Oakland, CA, USA; A general view of the Opening Week logo on the field prior to the game between the Chicago White Sox and the Oakland A
Apr 7, 2016; Oakland, CA, USA; A general view of the Opening Week logo on the field prior to the game between the Chicago White Sox and the Oakland A

The White Sox and the Indians will get together for a three game series this weekend on the south side, and the White Sox come into the series at 3-1, their best start since the 2005 season. We all know that the White Sox went on the win the American League Central, as well as the world series in 2005 after that same 3-1 start. This White Sox team may or may not share that same success, that is yet to be determined.

What has been determined, is that in this very small sample size the White Sox have done everything that the 2015 White Sox did not do. They have had excellent starting pitching, solid defense, and timely hitting. All things that last years version of the Sox lacked severely. Adam Eaton opened the campaign red hot, becoming the first White Sox player since Nellie Fox in 1955 to start the season with four consecutive multi hit games, racking up nine hits in 17 at-bats this week.

Apr 5, 2016; Oakland, CA, USA; Chicago White Sox right fielder Adam Eaton (1) hits a single against the Oakland Athletics during the third inning at the Oakland Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 5, 2016; Oakland, CA, USA; Chicago White Sox right fielder Adam Eaton (1) hits a single against the Oakland Athletics during the third inning at the Oakland Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports

The Indians enter the series with a record of 1-1 after splitting two games of their three game series with the Red Sox in Cleveland, with Thursday’s game being postponed due to weather. The Indians have arguably the best pitching rotation in all of baseball this year, and some solid young hitters up and down the lineup. The Tribe poses as much of a challenge to the White Sox hopes of success in 2016 as the Royals or the Tigers do, if not more of one.

The White Sox will not only have to deal with the Indians excellent rotation this weekend, but almost scarier, they will have to re-acclimate themselves with the chilly Chicago April weather that they will face this weekend, with temperatures expected to be in the thirties, and forties on the south side this weekend. The White Sox bats were red hot this spring in Arizona, and they parlayed that into a series win in Oakland to start the season. Now they have to swap their sun glasses for head warmers, and hand warmers and try to hit in the cold air against tough pitching.

It will be an icy cold challenge for the Pale Hoes, hopefully their bats will be as hot as the new 8,000 square foot video board in center field that they will unveil this weekend.

Pitching Probables

Injury Report

White Sox:

  • None

Indians:

Broadcast Info

  • Game 1: 3:10 PM (CT) / TV – CSN Chicago / Radio – WLS 890AM
  • Game 2: 1:10 PM (CT) / TV – WGN              / Radio – WLS 890AM
  • Game 3: 1:10 PM (CT) / TV – CSN Chicago / Radio – WLS 890AM

Keys to Victory:

  • Be selective, work the counts deep, and get to the Indians bullpen early.
  • Continue the strong starting pitching, and defensive efforts.

Schedule