The Chicago White Sox suffered a very disappointing loss to the Cleveland Indians on Monday night. The Cleveland umpires might have cost the Sox the game with two questionable calls in the top of the eighth inning.

However, the hitting for the White Sox on Opening Day has the team, and their fans optimistic. Jim Thome had the best overall day for the Sox. Thome went 2-4 with both hits being homeruns, and he finished with 4 RBI’s. Jermaine Dye also had a productive day going 3-4 including a solo homerun in the top of the 9^th.

The Sox’s hitting was very good. They scored 5 runs off of last year’s AL Cy Young winner C.C. Sabathia, which is definitely a positive sign. If the Sox can continue to hit well, the wins will be soon to follow.

The White Sox pitching will need to improve however. Mark Buehrle gave up 7 earned runs in 1.2 innings pitched.

The White Sox will boast a quality pitcher on Wednesday when Javier Vazquez takes the mound. Last season, Vazquez had a 15-8 overall record and a 3.74 ERA.

The Indians will showcase another premier pitcher in Fausto Carmona on Wednesday night. Carmona had a Cy Young type season last year going 19-8, and a 3.06 ERA. His ERA even surpassed Sabathia’s from a year ago.

The Sox’s hitting appeared to be catching plenty of momentum throughout the day, and it culminated to what seemed to be a very productive 8^th inning. However, the umpires took the game into their own hands. Joe Crede was called out at home after appearing to have slid under the tag, and an interference call against Orlando Cabrera at second base resulted in a double play for the Indians, ending the inning.

Chicago will attempt to put the bad calls behind them and will try to improve in their second game of the year.

Wednesday’s pitching match-up between Vazquez and Carmona should be a good one. If the fans are expecting another game filled with homeruns and hits, they will most likely be disappointed.

Power hitters such as Thome and Konerko will play a large role in the game, when one big hit could be the difference between a win, or a loss.

The first pitch is set for 6:05 on Wednesday in Cleveland.

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