By Woodrow Carroll
If there was ever a Major League Baseball team in no-man’s land it would be the Chicago White Sox this season. The Sox are not in position to move up or down in the American League Central Division standings, or have much impact in any race. Even in terms of individual glory, the Sox are on the outside looking in!
In spite of winning two of three games on the road against the Philadelphia Phillies last weekend, the Sox had a record of 6-17 since the all-star break through Sunday.
Through Sunday, the White Sox’ record was 48-61, 17 games in back of the second-place Cleveland Indians in the Central Division chase. On the up side, if you want to call it that, the Sox were 10 games ahead of the Kansas City Royals, the fourth place team in the AL Central. The Sox were set to play at last place Detroit earlier this week.
In the wild-card race, the Sox are not in that picture, either. The Sox were 15 games in back for the second wild-card spot with a host of teams the Sox would have to pass to get into contention.
Individual glory is missing for the White Sox.
Remember when at the all-star break the White Sox pitcher Lucas Giolito’s 11 victories had him tied for leadership with Houston Astros ace Justin Verlander? That earned Giolito, Jose Abreu, and James McCann, spots on the American League all-star squad.
Verlander had 15 victories through Sunday. Giolito remained at 11 victories. Monday evening in Detroit Giolito won his 12th victory by pitching six innings in a 7-4 victory. The Sox moved up to a 49-61 record. The team has played better since a stunning comeback victory Friday in 15 innings at Philadelphia, 4-3.
Detroit was 32-76 through Monday, 16 games behind the Sox who were 20 games behind first place Minnesota. The Sox are stuck in the middle.
Abreu earlier was the runs-batted-in leader in the American League. Abreu had 78 RBIs through Monday and figures to finish in the top 10.
The Sox will return home from a seven-game road trip Friday with a three-game series against visiting Oakland.