White Sox: Series vs Orioles could be a hit fest against ho-hum pitching
The White Sox open up a four-game series against the Baltimore Orioles in what could prove to be a festival of hits against the MLB’s worst pitching staffs.
Both the Orioles and White Sox are at bottom of their respective divisions. The Orioles are 14-32 to the Sox 13-30.
The series opens with veteran pitchers Andrew Cashner and Hector Santiago toeing the rubber. Cashner has an ERA of 4.83 with one win and five losses to his credit. Santiago has an ERA of 5.29 with a record of one loss and no wins. According to MLB.com, Cashner has faced the White Sox in four starts during his career. In those starts, he has not recorded a win and his ERA has been 4.61.
Similar hitters and pitchers
These four games should be loaded with base runners and home runs. Both of the teams are loaded with hitters who are consistent and can hit for power. And, both teams are loaded with underperforming pitchers who give up way too many hits and runs. The winning team will most likely be the one that makes the fewest mistakes, especially over the dish.
Keep your eyes on the shortstop
The biggest bat in the series belongs to Manny Machado, who is proving that he deserves all the pay he has been rumored to be receiving when he enters free agency. He is currently batting .343/.419/.652 with 13 doubles, 14 home runs, and 42 RBIs. Only Mookie Betts and J.D. Martinez have more home runs. But, Machado is leading the MLB in RBIs. What is even more impressive about Machado’s run is that he has only struck out 28 times. And, he’s managed to steal two bases!
No one else on the Orioles squad is performing near Machado’s level. But, that doesn’t mean the rest of the team should be overlooked. Adam Jones has 11 doubles and 7 home runs. And, Jonathan Schoop, who recently returned from the DL, is primed to get back to his 2017 numbers. Adam Jones is always a threat and so are Pedro Alvarez and Trey Mancini.
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Schoop and Mancini are 26 years old, and Machado will be 26 in July. Like many of the Sox players, they are still young.
Pitching struggles abound
Like the Sox, the majority of the Orioles pitching staff has been disappointing. Dylan Bundy started strong but has recently struggled. Chris Tillman has been terrible with his ERA over 10.00 and Alex Cobb still doesn’t seem like he’s ready for the season. Kevin Gausman has been the most reliable. Gausman and James Shields are scheduled to face off on Tuesday. Cobb is scheduled to pitch Wednesday. On Thursday, Bundy will pitch against Lucas Giolito.
White Sox batters should have just as much fun against Orioles pitchers as the O’s will have against Sox pitchers. But, no one will have as much fun as Welington Castillo. He had his best season in 2017 hitting 20 home runs and batting .282/.323/.490. Castillo has already proven his power was not a fluke as he already has six long balls in 2018.
Next: Reviewing the team at the 40-game mark
Hopefully, the Sox will get four wins and entertain the fans with double-digit hits during this series.