(Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)
John Danks, who is starting the opener against Randy Wolf, has pitched well lately. Clayton Richard (who is pitching the rubber match) has not. If both lefties can go deep in the ballgame, the Sox have a better chance than most people think at winning this series against Los Angeles.
The Cubs, due to mad pole jocking by ESPN and some thrilling comeback victories, might have turned a corner. Their offense had let down a good pitching staff most of the season, but they swept the Indians over the weekend after beating the White Sox in the last of the ninth on Thursday.
The downside?
They swept the Indians, a last place team who is fast falling out of contention. Add that to a demoralizing loss against the Braves tonight (a 2-0 defeat in which they recorded 10 hits), and the Cubs are about where the Sox are: a middle-of-the-road team looking for a spark.
The impact players
Gordon Beckham has truly arrived.
The youngster recorded his first major league home run in Saturday's win over the Reds, and he has hit well enough to raise his average from sub-.100 to just under the Mendoza line.
However, his fielding (two misplays in the Saturday game) shows that he might still be nervous. Beckham will be put to the test this week. It will be huge for the team if he can deliver in the clutch.
Dewayne Wise is still one of my favorite Sox players, but, save for the last two games, he has been playing his way off the team. Since returning from the disabled list, D-Wise's average has dropped to .176, and that includes his three hits in the last two games.
Five right-handers pitching against the Sox combined with Brian Anderson's low BA against right-handers means Wise will get playing time. With Podsednik playing well and Jermaine Dye returning to the lineup, Wise needs to stop pressing, get quality at-bats to help the team, and (as much as I hate to say it) increase his trade value.
Scott Linebrink is not invincible anymore.
He was in the early part of the season, but now, Sox fans get nervous any time he takes the hill. He did a fine job in the Saturday game, but allowed a late run in a close game on Sunday.
Ozzie will be watching Linebrink closely, but he is needed to take the pressure off Matt Thornton and fellow setup man Octavio Dotel.
This week is the White Sox's "moment of truth." With three tough pitchers to face in the Dodgers series and the emotional rivalry of the Crosstown Classic, I believe these six games will decide the fate of this team.
Will the ChiSox measure up, or will some familiar faces be sent packing in another "White Flag Trade"?
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