Last week, the Chicago White Sox saw the return of catcher Yasmani Grandal. He was the last big piece added to this lineup that returned from injury with the likes of Luis Robert and Eloy Jimenez returning over the last couple of weeks.
Now with the lineup at full strength, you cannot help but notice how dangerous this lineup really is, especially with everyone healthy. Look what they just did to the Cubs over the weekend and the potential this lineup showed. So just like me, you should have the mindset that the White Sox will get to the World Series, right? I mean if I have not sold you, here are my reasons.
The starting lineup for the Chicago White Sox is not one that any pitcher wants to face.
As I mentioned, this lineup is stacked. Opposing pitchers will not want to see this lineup in the playoffs with the likes of Eloy starting to hit his stride. He is looking to be getting better as the season goes on. Luis Robert coming back from injury and is hitting .344 which is unbelievable. Tim Anderson and Jose Abreu are slowly starting to come around are going to do damage in the playoffs.
Now that they are healthy, pitchers just can’t pitch to guys in any kind of way. There are no longer gaping holes in the lineup as everybody is a problem now. Jose no longer has to swing at bad pitches because of who is behind him.
The Chicago White Sox have an elite starting rotation going into the playoffs.
Lance Lynn has a 2.59 ERA and is a Cy Young candidate. Carlos Rodon with a 2.43 ERA is also a Cy Young candidate. Lucas Giolito struggled at the beginning of the season but in the second half, he has been locked in and now has a 3.68 ERA. That monster of a rotation is a good one heading to the playoffs.
The “Ponytail Gang” has been great for the Chicago White Sox this season.
Opposing hitters, after dealing with the starters, have to see the ponytail gang. Michael Kopech has a 3.48 ERA and is throwing straight gas every day. The soon-to-be Hall of Famer Craig Kimbrel, over the course of the season, has been unhittable. Liam Hendricks, who has been closing games most of his career, won’t make opponents happy to see him when it matters.
The Chicago White Sox has a Hall of Fame manager leading the way right now.
I think you can call this more of a cherry on the top situation as I really do think it’s important to have a manager who has been there and done that. Tony La Russa is a manager who has seen every situation there is and won’t fold under pressure.
It’s important to have a manager in the dugout that can be calm around his troops no matter what. He also has 3 World Series rings. Hate him or love him, you must think he knows what he’s doing in pressure situations.