White Sox: Pitching Remains A Huge Issue
By Matt Manetti
White Sox pitching yields eight runs while starter Anthony Ranaudo only goes five in disappointing loss to Tigers
Tuesday’s matchup with the Detroit Tigers looked promising for the White Sox. Anthony Ranaudo, who has struggled thus far, looked sharp through four innings. The offense got a boost from Todd Frazier, who hit a two-run home run in a three run second. Then, it all fell a part.
Ian Kinsler hit a two run home run in the fifth and followed it with a two run single in the sixth, as the Tigers look control of the game, en route to an 8-4 win over the White Sox. The Tigers scored six unanswered runs to take control of the game.
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Ranaudo (0-1, 8.76 ERA) finished the game with five innings while allowing three runs on five hits. He gave way to Matt Albers, who struggled, allowing three runs on just two hits. Albers was saddled with the loss and is now 2-6 with a 6.19 ERA. Jacob Turner may have been the one bright spot for a pitching staff that has struggled all season, allowing one run in 2.2 innings of work.
Pitching has really been an issue for the White Sox all year. Aside from Chris Sale and Jose Quintana, they have not had any consistency. The bullpen showed promise t times, but the loss of Zack Putnam and to some extent Jake Petricka has hurt them. If you remember, this team had one of the best bullpens in baseball back in April. Since then, it has been a downward spiral.
Fans have to question why this team continues to rely on guys who have struggled all season
The decision making in the front of office is just mind boggling. This team continues to trot out James Shields, despite his 5-16 record and 5.86 ERA. I’ll admit, he pitched an excellent game against the Tigers, but who honestly thought he was going to only allow two runs? I set the over under at five.
Next, they start Ranaudo. All this guy has done in four starts is allow 17 runs in in 21 innings. In his only two appearances with the Texas Rangers, he allowed 7 runs in 3.2 innings. The fact that Kenny Williams and Rick Hahn continue to keep this guy on the major league roster is a mystery. And one of those appearances was against the White Sox.
Matt Albers has been one of the most used pitchers by Robin Ventura, but the numbers don’t support this. Albers got off to a hot start, but has struggled ever since. In August, the right hander has allowed seven runs and 13 hits in just 8.1 innings of work. He also blew his fourth save of the season on Tuesday.
There’s plenty of blame to go around, but one things for sure, this team will never be successful like this. It’s time for this team to spend some money in free agency on pitching. Time and time again we see the front office spend for offense, while neglecting pitching.
The White Sox won a World Series in 2005 behind a dominate pitching staff and lights out bullpen. They have three great starting pitchers in Sale, Quintana and Rodon has shown flashes of brilliance, but then there’s a huge drop off. Until they solve their pitching woes, we’ll continue to see the same team. Mired in mediocrity.