With an 11-3 loss at Texas Friday night, the Chicago White Sox reached the halfway point this season. The defeat suffered by the Sox left them with a 28-53 won-loss record.
Every team should set realistic aims prior to the start of each season. For the White Sox and many of the team’s fans see improvement from last season reasonable and attainable. The 2017 Sox concluded with a 67-95 record for .414 which makes improvement in 2018 a realistic target.
Unless the Sox step up the pace, they will fall short of the .400 threshold.
Through Sunday, following a 10-5 victory over Texas, to salvage the final game of a three-game series, the Sox held a record of 29-54 for a percentage of .349. The top four batters in the Sox lineup had a combined 11 hits.
The 1970 White Sox set the franchise record for negativity with a 56-106 (.346) final record.
Jose Abreu has hit the skids in batting average. Despite a two-for-three showing against the Rangers Sunday, Abreu has seen his batting average fall 50 points over the past five weeks. His average was .271 through Sunday. Worse yet, Abreu has come up short in clutch situations numerous times.
It may well turn out that Abreu will be the starting first baseman for the American League in the All-Star Game July 17. Abreu has done well in the voting and fans well remember the good he has done for a team that has struggled in recent seasons.
Of greater personal interest might be Abreu’s quest for another 100 RBI season. Now in his fifth season with the Sox, Abreu has reached the 100 RBI figure each of the previous four years. Abreu started the week with 49 RBIs and we know he can get hot, so another triple-digit figure is well with in reach.