White Sox win magnifies Monday's loss

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The White Sox picked up a resounding 8-3 win over the Cleveland Indians Wednesday, and I found it frustrating.  It was frustrating because I think the Sox could actually contend for the AL Central if they had actually tried last offseason.  There are real signs of talent on this White Sox team.

Start with an ace

Carlos Rodon went six strong innings, striking out nine and allowing only one unearned run.  Rodon is a potential ace.  While Giolito and Lopez may or may not prove to be building blocks in the rotation, Ivan Nova is a serviceable back of the rotation starter.  Why the Sox didn’t add another starter is beyond me. 

E. Sanchez

Yolmer Sanchez made yet another error.  Maybe Yolmer should change his name to Elmer.  That way seeing E. Sanchez in the box score would be easier to take.  If you see the Sox pouring Gatorade over Sanchez, they might be trying to water board him.  Okay, enough of riding Sanchez.  He is what he is, a fill-in player masquerading as a regular.

There were infield options in this year’s crop of free agents.  DJ LeMahieu comes to mind.  The Sox have been kicking the ball around for years.  It would be nice to see that situation alleviated.  Nick Madrigal’s glove will be welcomed when it gets to Chicago.

You know what really hurts?

There were obviously some outfield bats that would have helped, but the White Sox did nothing but wait in vain for Harper or Machado to fall to them.  What really hurts is the AL Central looks like it’s up for grabs.  The Indians look like a team on the ropes and the Twins have to prove to me they’re a good team.  It’s a shame the Sox didn’t want to fill in some gaps because they really do have some young talent.

Moncada could be a difference maker

Yoan Moncada homered and doubled and in general looks much improved this season.  He homered off a high fast ball, a pitch he’s been susceptible to in the past.  Jose Abreu has seven RBIs which is noteworthy because he’s generally a slow starter.  Leury Garcia had four hits and I think he has potential, but I suspect he’s due for a pulled hamstring soon.  After watching him and Avisail Garcia, I think Garcia is Spanish for pulled hamstring.

A losing mentality

I’m also still miffed over Ricky Renteria’s handling of the bullpen in Monday’s loss.  If he had just gone with his eighth and ninth inning guys, I think the Sox would be riding a three game winning streak and would have swept the Indians in Cleveland. The fact that the Sox had an off day on Tuesday makes Renteria’s use of the bullpen even more questionable.  When the Sox have a chance to win a game against a division rival, they need to jump on it.  I’m afraid Renteria is conditioned to losing, and so is the team.

Would somebody please wake Jerry up?

 If the Sox get off to a hot start maybe Jerry Reinsdorf will snap out of his coma and realize the division is winnable.  When you win one championship in 100 years a little urgency would be nice.  The Sox have their young prospects in place.  If the organization has confidence in them they should add some veterans.  If they don’t, new guys need to be making decisions.  Unfortunately, in a Reinsdorf organization there’s no accountability and mediocrity reigns.