Chicago White Sox: What should we make of the Minnesota Twins?

The Chicago White Sox had some ups and downs to start the season but they seem to be firing on all cylinders now. We know about some of their injuries that have happened and they are still managing to win. One team that simply can’t say the same is the Minnesota Twins. They were supposed to be right there with the White Sox for the top of the division but they are off to a brutal start and it hasn’t shown signs of getting better.

The Chicago White Sox and Minnesota Twins have a huge series this week.

The White Sox lead the division at 19-13. The Twins are in fourth place with a record of 12-20 which is not what people expected at all. The Twins have a three-game lead in the division over the Detroit Tigers who are one of the worst teams in the league. There is a good chance that Minnesota gets hot based on their roster so the White Sox need to kick them while they are down. It may come back to help them later in the season.

One point of emphasis has been the late-inning relievers. The White Sox let Alex Colome go to the Minnesota Twins in favor of signing Liam Hendriks who was the best closer in the sport for 2019 and 2020. Hendriks has let up a couple of home runs but has mostly been good. Once he cleans up that one wart, things will be great. Colome, on the other hand, has been horrible. If it was down to those two guys as the team’s closer going forward, the White Sox clearly made the right move.

The Twins, like the White Sox, have an injury that is really going to hurt them. Byron Buxton is going to be out for “weeks” due to a hip injury. A player that productive being out would hurt any team. As the White Sox already knows with losing Eloy Jimenez and Luis Robert, you have to figure out how to get through for a bit without them. Hopefully, every injured player gets back soon.

Pitching is always key in Major League Baseball. The White Sox have the best rotation in the sport right now and are the ERA leaders to prove it. However, the Twins have some good pitchers as well. On Tuesday, Dylan Cease is going to face Kenta Maeda. On Wednesday, Dallas Keuchel is going to face J.A. Happ. On Thursday for the series finale, Carlos Rodon is going to face Michael Pineda.

Only Happ is a lefty so that is the only game that you can claim the White Sox have a distinct advantage on paper. However, if everyone in a White Sox uniform plays to their potential, they might be able to take down their biggest rival. Taking this series will be huge for their confidence going forward in the season.