Chicago White Sox: Splitting Cleveland doubleheader is just fine
![CLEVELAND, OHIO - MAY 31: Nick Madrigal #1 of the Chicago White Sox runs out an RBI single during the third inning of game two of a doubleheader against the Cleveland Indians at Progressive Field on May 31, 2021 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images)](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_fill,w_752,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/shape/cover/sport/https-3A-2F-2Fsouthsideshowdown-com-2Fwp-content-2Fuploads-2Fgetty-images-2F2017-2F07-2F1321041631-850x560-347098354ccf79c24ece8b5fe070acdc.jpg)
The Chicago White Sox went into Monday’s doubleheader winners of four straight after sweeping the Baltimore Orioles at home. They also had won six of their last seven games to make them one of the hottest teams going. With a trip to Cleveland on deck, they knew they needed to keep it going. These two are going to battle all season long for the American League Central crown and Monday’s doubleheader proved that to be true.
The Chicago White Sox got an okay result in Monday’s doubleheader with Cleveland.
Of course, you want to win every game but that is just realistic. That is why splitting the doubleheader that they were forced to play on Monday was as good of a result as you can expect. The White Sox didn’t have Michael Kopech to make a spot start so they knew it was going to be Carlos Rodon and Jimmy Lambert. Of course, everyone has all of the faith in the world in Rodon but Lambert has some work to do.
In the game Rodon pitched, the White Sox didn’t get off to the best start. Rodon let up back-to-back solo shots to start the game in the first inning. It would have been easy to give up right out of the gate but the White Sox scored four runs the very next inning to take the lead. It was a back and forth game that found its way in extra innings.
In extra innings, the White Sox scored three runs in the top of the 8th (doubleheaders are seven innings) and then held Cleveland off to win the game. It was a great way to take their fifth victory in a row. Rodon didn’t have his very best but he was good enough to give his team a chance.
The second game was a bit of a different story. Lambert actually was decent but they didn’t hit enough to win the ballgame. One mistake pitch to Jose Ramirez was the difference in the ballgame as the White Sox lost 3-1 and snapped their winning streak. It wasn’t their best game but they escaped the day with a 3.5 game lead over Cleveland in the AL Central.
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Now, the White Sox have to play them two more times this week. It starts later tonight against Shane Bieber. The White Sox, along with everyone else, has their hands full when they face a guy like Bieber. Dylan Cease is going to go on the mound for them so you can expect a good pitcher’s duel in this one. It would be really nice to see the Sox tag up Cleveland’s all-world pitcher.