Sox Struggles To Be Expected
The Chicago White Sox are at present 10/1 to win the World Series and 5/1 to win the American League.
Chicago is struggling with a 2-4 record, losing two of three against both Cleveland and Kansas City. Now, they travel to play a surprisingly hot Detroit team that is 5-1, and tied for the lead in the AL Central. It's a bit of come down from last season but lets face it - this often happens to teams who have achieved great heights in the preceding season. Still, it's early days..
Today’s pitching match-up is White Sox's Fred Garcia versus the Tigers' Jeremy Bonderman. The White Sox are the underdog at +120 with an over / under of 9 runs.
White Sox Batting
The Sox lineup is similar to last seasons except they have traded center fielder Rowland to Philadelphia for hitter Jim Thome. Thome is slotted in the third hole ahead of Paul Konerko and Jermaine Dye, giving Chicago a far more fearsome middle of the line-up than last year.
Taking over for Rowland in center is the 24 year-old Brian Anderson. Anderson is hitting in the nine hole to take the pressure off his offense, so he can be on the defensive side where Rowland was strongest. The youngster has talent.
White Sox Pitching:
Chicago won the World Series last year because of their starting pitching. The staff looks great again this year, because with the addition of Javier Vazquez, the White Sox now have five very good starters.
The starting pitching may have been the Chicago's calling card last year, but they wouldn't have won the World Series without Bobby Jenks. One down note is that Dustin Hermanson will be out at least two months with a back injury.
Lowdown:
The White Sox won their first World Series since 1917 last year, lifting a huge burden for the City of Chicago who has also had bear the Cubs lack of success.
No team in baseball has won back to back championships since the Yankees in 2000. It is natural to assume that the White Sox may have a let down this year as other champions have before them. They have had a bad start - but one thinks they can only improve in the short term.
