The second half is finally here. This is going to be a great time to see where this team is and get them ready for 2020. These are some bold predictions.
The second half of the 2019 season is here! This should be a really fun time to be a fan of the Chicago White Sox as this could be the time that they turn the corner and start to look like a contender. They are one of the teams truly on the rise and could find themselves in position for sustained success in the not so distant future.
That all begins in Oakland as they start off the second half on the road for a few series in a row. They will look to finish this season strong and make sure they feel good about themselves going into 2020. That is the season they expect to contend and make a real run at the playoffs, and anybody who follows baseball closely knows that it isn’t a laughable idea.
I have a few predictions that White Sox fans might like for some things that we might see happen in the second half of this season. Buckle up, because it should be a lot of fun with a lot of growth for the young players.
Eloy Jimenez will lead the team in home runs in the second half.
This doesn’t mean I think he will lead the team in home runs for the entire season, just from the All-Star break on. That would mean he needs to stay healthy and consistent obviously, but he has shown in recent weeks that he has found his power in the Major Leagues so I expect him to have a huge second half.
The White Sox will be in the Wild Card race well into September
I am not sure I think they have a chance to actually make it to the Wild Card game because the Boston Red Sox are the defending champions and it is hard to see them not making it, and the Tampa Bay Rays are a really good baseball team that could make a run if everything falls in place. With that said, I see the White Sox being in the fight with those two along with the Cleveland Indians, Oakland Athletics, Texas Rangers, and Los Angeles Angels. Only two of those seven teams can make it so it will be tough but they will at least be in the conversation.
Yoan Moncada will stay over .300
He has come a long way since last year and this year has been his true coming out party. Moncada has emerged as one of if not the best player on the White Sox and we should all expect him to stay on his torrid pace. He is showing the world why he was the number one baseball prospect in the world and why the White Sox accepted him for Chris Sale.
Lucas Giolito will be an AL Cy Young nominee
He might not win it because there are so many good pitchers in the American League. He also might win it because he is such a good pitcher. He s 11-3 so he has his record on his side and he has been one of the best pitchers in all of baseball since the beginning of the season when he had a no-hitter going in his very first start of the season. Look for Goilito to have as good of a second half and dominate once again. If he can repeat what he has done in the first half he will certainly be in the conversation.
These are four very positive predictions and they may or may not come true, but either way, this is going to be such a fun first half and you all should be so excited. If these did come true, that would mean the White Sox definitely finished strong and will end on a high note!