Minnesota Twins at Chicago White Sox series preview
By Chris Schad
About the White Sox
Much like the Twins’ current situation, the White Sox will be coming into this weekend nursing a pair of injuries that will make a major impact on this series. In the last series against the Boston Red Sox, the White Sox were able to avoid a sweep by winning the third game and coming away with a victory over Red Sox ace Chris Sale. While the White Sox had to be pleased with the way they played at Fenway Park, it didn’t come without a cost.
The biggest blow for the White Sox is the loss of shortstop Tim Anderson. Much like the Twins are experiencing with Jorge Polanco, Anderson is having a coming-of-age season hitting .317 with 11 HR and 37 RBI. While Chicago’s 2013 first-round pick was well on his way to earning his first All-Star selection, he suffered a high ankle sprain in the second game of the Boston series and will not be taking the field against the Twins.
Third baseman Yoan Moncada also landed on the shelf after being hit by a pitch on Wednesday. The Cuban import is also having a breakout season, hitting .299 with 13 HR and 42 RBI and is looking like one of the players Chicago can build around moving forward. Unlike Anderson, Moncada’s knee contusion seems like a minor injury and currently has him listed at day-to-day.
As a team, the White Sox have made a jump from last season when they went 62-100 and finished in fourth place in the AL Central. With Anderson and Moncada leading the way, the White Sox still have Jose Abreu at first base and are starting to get some pitching with Lucas Giolito leading the way.
Chicago has dropped seven of its last 10 games, but don’t let their 37-41 record foo
l you. With a young nucleus starting to find its way, the White Sox could be a formidable opponent for the Twins if they can find their health.