White Sox: Five Takeaways from Series Against Orioles

Aug 7, 2016; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago White Sox center fielder J.B. Shuck (20) watches the home run off the bat of Baltimore Orioles third baseman Manny Machado (not pictured) during the first inning at U.S. Cellular Field. Mandatory Credit: Dennis Wierzbicki-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 7, 2016; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago White Sox center fielder J.B. Shuck (20) watches the home run off the bat of Baltimore Orioles third baseman Manny Machado (not pictured) during the first inning at U.S. Cellular Field. Mandatory Credit: Dennis Wierzbicki-USA TODAY Sports
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Aug 7, 2016; Chicago, IL, USA; Baltimore Orioles first baseman Chris Davis (19) hits a home run during the second inning against the Chicago White Sox at U.S. Cellular Field. Mandatory Credit: Dennis Wierzbicki-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 7, 2016; Chicago, IL, USA; Baltimore Orioles first baseman Chris Davis (19) hits a home run during the second inning against the Chicago White Sox at U.S. Cellular Field. Mandatory Credit: Dennis Wierzbicki-USA TODAY Sports /

White Sox lose third consecutive series with loss to Orioles on Sunday. White Sox used bullpen to cover game as James Shields is unable to last two innings against Baltimore.

The White Sox needed a strong outing from James Shields on Sunday against the Orioles, as the team was looking to win its first three game series of the second half. Instead, Shields returned to the form he displayed when he arrived to the White Sox in June.

The veteran pitcher lasted just 1.1 innings against the Orioles as he was shelled for eight earned runs. The Orioles won their series against the White Sox two games to one with a 10-2 victory on Sunday. The White Sox haven’t won a series of three games or more since winning two games over the Yankees in a three game series in early July.

The White Sox will embark on a ten game road trip beginning with a three game series against the Kansas City Royals on Tuesday. With another series loss, the White Sox will face an uphill battle in their quest for a series victory. Although the Royals are in fourth place in AL Central, the White Sox have struggled this season with division games. The White Sox will also face the Miami Marlins and Cleveland Indians on their road trip, two teams that are above .500.

With the White Sox losing their series against the Orioles, there were some takeaways from the series for the team. Here’s a look at five takeaways from the White Sox series loss to the Orioles.

Aug 2, 2016; Detroit, MI, USA; Chicago White Sox relief pitcher Carson Fulmer (51) pitches in the eighth inning against the Detroit Tigers at Comerica Park. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 2, 2016; Detroit, MI, USA; Chicago White Sox relief pitcher Carson Fulmer (51) pitches in the eighth inning against the Detroit Tigers at Comerica Park. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports /

Carson Fulmer Pitched Two Scoreless Innings

The 2015 first round pick for the White Sox hasn’t had consistent success since being called up from Double-A. On Sunday, the White Sox would need the bullpen to cover 8.2 innings as Shields was shelled early by the Orioles.

Fulmer entered the game in the top of fifth inning with one out to spare. The rookie was able to pitch 2.1 scoreless innings, and lowered his ERA to 9.35. Fulmer has had trouble consistently finding the plate since being called up, but his outing on Sunday showed why the White Sox drafted him with the eight overall pick in the 2015 MLB Draft.

The White Sox needed a solid appearance from Fulmer as he struggled with his command in an appearance against the Cubs on July 27. In that game, Fulmer gave up four earned runs as he allowed four walks against the Cubs. Fulmer’s ERA ballooned to 17.18 after the outing, but he’s been decreasing his ERA with each outing. Before his appearance on Sunday, Fulmer had given up just two earned runs in 2.2 innings pitched.

Fulmer will need more appearances like Sunday in order to carry positive momentum into next season. The White Sox needed Fulmer because of a depleted bullpen, and the 22-year old pitcher is practically learning on the fly in the major leagues. If Fulmer can harness his control on the mound, he could certainly become an asset for the White Sox moving forward.

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Jose Abreu Has Solid Series

The 2014 AL Rookie of the Year hasn’t had a good season so far for the White Sox. With just 11 home runs before the team’s previous series against the Tigers, Abreu was looking like he wouldn’t finish with more than 20 home runs this season.

After the White Sox series against the Orioles, Abreu appears to be headed in the right direction offensively. Abreu hit two home runs against the Orioles in the series, although both home runs came in losses for the White Sox. The White Sox will need more offensive production from Abreu moving forward, and his game on Sunday provides a glimmer of hope for that.

On Sunday, Abreu collected three hits as he was a triple shy of his first major league cycle. Despite the White Sox losing 10-2 to the Orioles, Abreu was the lone positive offensively for the team. Abreu’s batting average has been steadily trending upward after a poor start to the season, and he’s hitting .275 with 14 home runs and 60 runs batted in. If he can keep up his recent hot stretch, he could find himself with 90 runs batted in by the end of the season.

Aug 5, 2016; Chicago, IL, USA; Baltimore Orioles third baseman Manny Machado (13) hits a two RBI double against the Chicago White Sox during the third inning at U.S. Cellular Field. Mandatory Credit: David Banks-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 5, 2016; Chicago, IL, USA; Baltimore Orioles third baseman Manny Machado (13) hits a two RBI double against the Chicago White Sox during the third inning at U.S. Cellular Field. Mandatory Credit: David Banks-USA TODAY Sports /

Manny Machado Was One-Man Gang Against White Sox

Machado was unstoppable against the White Sox in this series. On Friday, Machado collected three hits including a RBI double. After only getting one hit on Saturday, Machado exploded for three home runs in three innings against the White Sox on Sunday.

The White Sox were unable to stop Machado throughout the series, and the young third basemen essentially help the Orioles win by himself. However, the Orioles were the beneficiaries of two home runs from Pedro Alvarez on Friday. Macahdo entered the series with a .301 batting average, and he concluded the series with his batting average at .307.

With Sunday being the last game of the season between both teams, the White Sox sure are glad Machado can’t torture them. Through his career, Machado has a slash line of .302/.353/.547 against the White Sox in 27 games. Machado’s impressive three home run game on Sunday will be remembered by many White Sox fans for years to come.

Aug 7, 2016; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago White Sox starting pitcher James Shields (25) delivers a pitch during the first inning against the Baltimore Orioles at U.S. Cellular Field. Mandatory Credit: Dennis Wierzbicki-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 7, 2016; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago White Sox starting pitcher James Shields (25) delivers a pitch during the first inning against the Baltimore Orioles at U.S. Cellular Field. Mandatory Credit: Dennis Wierzbicki-USA TODAY Sports /

James Shields Regressed Hard

Shields had one of his worst starts in a White Sox uniform on Sunday. Although he got off to a very rocky start with the White Sox, Shields was able to turn the corner and pitch quality starts for the team afterwards.

On Sunday however, Shields was rocked for eight earned runs by the Orioles. The Orioles hit four home runs off Shields, with Machado hitting two of the home runs. In his last two starts, Shields has given up 14 earned runs in just 6.1 innings pitched. The White Sox should have traded Shields before the deadline to any team that was willing to take him.

The White Sox didn’t need an impressive return for Shields in my opinion in order to trade him, but the team’s reluctance to part ways with the veteran pitcher might hurt them moving forward. If Shields’ last two starts are any indication, the White Sox might have to tax their bullpen even more when he’s starting.

Aug 6, 2016; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago White Sox starting pitcher Carlos Rodon (55) delivers against the Baltimore Orioles during the first inning at U.S. Cellular Field. Mandatory Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 6, 2016; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago White Sox starting pitcher Carlos Rodon (55) delivers against the Baltimore Orioles during the first inning at U.S. Cellular Field. Mandatory Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-USA TODAY Sports /

Carlos Rodon Has Solid Start

Rodon entered his start against the Orioles on Saturday coming off a start where he gave up five earned runs against the Twins. On Saturday however, Rodon only just one earned run against the Orioles through six innings pitched.

The 2014 first round pick of the White Sox had one of his better starts of the season against the Orioles. Rodon recorded seven strikeouts against a potent Baltimore lineup, and was able to get out of a first inning jam with runners on first and third base with no outs. Rodon struck out the side in the first inning after the Orioles had runners on first and third base.

The White Sox will need more outings like this from Rodon moving forward. Rodon struggled in his first season as a starter before finishing 2015 strong. If he can do the same thing this season, it will bode well for his confidence along with the team’s moving into next season.

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