Everyone got their grief out of the way ahead of time. Whether it was when they realized that the White Sox would inevitably use their waiver claim of the lightly-regarded Hector Noesi to soak up a spot start, or when they discovered that a rainout pushed Max Scherzer to Wednesday, or when they rationalized that this was a Wednesday getaway game and they wouldn't be able to spare a moment to witness the slaughter anyway.
Read MoreIt’s Hector Noesi Day. It’s no surprise that the sun is not shining, and on Weather Day at The Cell, whoever it is that controls these things is not kind enough to bring enough rain from the clouds to halt this potential downpour of runs. So be it. We don’t know how the chips will fall. If we knew the outcome, they wouldn’t play the games. For this reason, we’ll move forward with the observation of…Hector…Noesi Day.
Read MoreThe Catbird Seat staff is often skeptical or pessimistic when it comes to the White Sox, slow to trust positive developments. Even in that company, my cynicism when it comes to Dayan Viciedo is considered a bit extreme. With that in mind, I will do what I can to be even-handed about Mr. Viciedo and his strong April.
Read MoreThese White Sox don't quit, but that doesn't preclude them from having the same type of gut-punch comeback pulled on them.
The Tigers didn't lead until the ninth, trailed 3-1 with Jose Quintana at his full powers facing them in the sixth, and didn't have a reason to hope until the Sox gave them one with one out in the ninth, and were without much of a chance again until they took it with two out. A deep fly ball to the right field warning track glanced off the heel of Dayan Viciedo's glove and turned into a three-base error, and a two-out matchup with backup catcher Bryan Holaday turned into heartbreak when he rolled a perfect two-out squeeze up the third base line.
Read MoreA split in Detroit considering the pitching situation of a short-notice lack of Sale was a coup. This go-round, on local turf and a short 2-game series, the pitching situation again falls unfavorably. The White Sox managed to pull Verlander and Scherzer as opponents while putting forth a struggling Jose Quintana tonight and a penciled in Hector Noesi the following day. A split, read: not a series loss, keeps the team record above .500 for the season’s opening month.
Read MoreFor a season that looked like it might see the Sox turn away from Rienzo as a starting option early on, it's now hard to see a scenario that doesn't ask for 20 more starts from him if he's ready and willing to provide it.
Every time I watch Rienzo, I'm struck by how much he looks like a reliever. Not in the way that Wade Davis looks like a reliever, in that he's awful and shouldn't be allowed to start anymore, but that he's effective in bursts. He takes damage as his command lapses and he starts playing too safe with a mix of 89-91 heat and mediocre sliders that don't really afford him the ability to be conservative, and he looks like a impact player when he's riding high on emotion, snapping 12-6 curveballs and smacking his mitt.
Read MoreThe first pitch Andre Rienzo threw Tuesday night was rapped into the corner by Ben Zobrist for a leadoff double. The third pitch he threw on the night was bunted back to him by Desmond Jennings, and he responded by bobbling it, then flinging a wayward grounder in the rough vicinity Jose Abreu that plated Zobrist. The fourth pitch he threw was a bomb to the center field wall from Matt Joyce. Adam Eaton climbed the ladder and picked it off the top of the fence, but flew out of the play such that Jennings tagged up and scored from second.
Read MoreA series win and getting a game over .500 is the aim as the White Sox attempt to take their third game in the four game series against the Tampa Bay Rays. The Sox have scored 18 runs in the series despite being shutout on Saturday night and their best pitching effort came from an MiLB lifer getting his first shot in the major leagues. It’s inspiring but perhaps not encouraging. Relying on the offense to pick up the slack is decidedly less frustrating than the other way around.
Read MoreIt feels wrong to even discuss something about the White Sox that isn't Jose Abreu. The man has hit 10 home runs. 10 in a month! In April! The worst month! He's on pace to hit 62 home runs, not that he'll do it, but it's fun to see the number '62.' I want RBI's to matter again so that Abreu being on pace for 193 could hold the excitement it would have 20 years ago.
Read MoreAt 13-13, the White Sox's winning percentage is an even .500 for the 10th time already this season. At different points during the first four weeks, they've been 2-2, 3-3, 4-4, 5-5, 6-6, 8-8, 10-10, 11-11, 12-12 and now 13-13.
That strange fact paints us a picture of a consistently average team. Of course, average is still a gigantic step forward from 2013 and while the team's pitching staff likely prevents the White Sox from being serious playoff contenders in 2014, they've at least been entertaining. Just this past week alone, they've hit two go-ahead grand slams — Marcus Semien's eighth-inning blast against Detroit and Jose Abreu's walk-off winner against Tampa Bay.
Read MoreThe 2014 White Sox came into the season knowing they needed contributions from rookies up and down the roster, and knowing their rotation depth was shallow and would get thoroughly explored throughout the season. Even then, 29-year-old Scott Carroll making his major league debut at the end of April registered a surprise.
Read MoreThe White Sox bats were stifled yesterday by luminaries such as Cesar Ramos -- today they have a much taller task ahead of them. Due to injuries, the White Sox will be giving the 29-year old Scott Carroll his major league debut. As James pointed out yesterday, Scott Carroll is really easy to root for as he seems to have a sense of humor and he has certainly put in his time as an organizational soldier. The problem is, there isn't a lot of reason to expect him to be effective.
Read MoreThe White Sox offense has scored more runs than anyone in baseball so far. John Danks started the year with a 2.84 ERA in his first four starts. Both feats are the product of hard work and skill and should be commended. Both also were aided by great luck with balls in play, with the Sox hitting .329 coming into Saturday night when they put balls in play, and hitters Danks opposed hitting just .244. Both ran into quite a reckoning Saturday night.
Read MoreLast night will be a pretty tough act to follow - indeed, Jose Abreu's walk-off grand slam topped off an extremely strong night of Chicago sports as the Bulls held on to defeat the Wizards and the Blackhawks won in overtime against the Blues. In the sober light of day, however, there are certainly issues to worry about with the White Sox.
Read MoreWe're drowning in comments about how much worse the 2013 White Sox were at everything than this gleefully .500 club, but find some room for this one: the 2013 White Sox would have never made this twisted wreck of baseball hell into a game. The 2013 White Sox also did not have Jose Abreu.
Read MoreWhile I' m not necessarily a fan of Adam Eaton's goofy nickname or the all-american mighty mouse identity it represents, but his return merits a certain level of celebration. As much as the White Sox offense has rolled on without him, where the Sox were previously batting a four-pitches-per-plate-appearance, speedy, plus-defending on-base machine, they had Jordan Danks over the past week.
Read MoreThe White Sox's big league club has a reputation for strong pitching and this is largely credited to Don Cooper's expertise. However, there are a number of exciting young pitchers currently honing their craft in the organization's minor league system. I'll take a look at what Winston-Salem and Kannapolis have to offer in this post and check out Charlotte and the big leagues in the coming days.
Read MoreConor Gillaspie is turning into Matt Davidson soon, Alexei Ramirez could be turning into Marcus Semien, or just older Alexei Ramirez. Carlos Sanchez, Leury Garcia or Micah Johnson could wind up showing more range than Gordon Beckham--a man whose entire reputation is staked on defense--but are hardly replacing Dan Uggla. And while Jose Abreu is a wide-eyed pup compared to Paul Konerko, but is a natural designated hitter.
Read MoreThe White Sox strung together their fair share of hits against Max Scherzer and the Detroit bullpen, but the White Sox's own bullpen was unable to keep them within striking distance in a 7-4 loss in Thursday's series finale.
Read MoreSitting comfortably at .500 the White Sox now have the chance to win the series in Detroit before heading back home to take on the Rays. Oddly, the Sox took series against Detroit twice last year, including the first time they faced off which came late enough in the season that the team was already buried in the standings. Hopeless they are not, this go-round, and it’s early enough to be concerning to the Tigers in terms of their own record and forcing themselves to ask just who these White Sox think they are and what is it that they’re trying to accomplish?
Read MoreThe Catbird Seat is a White Sox blog by White Sox fans that focuses on intelligent and humorous baseball commentary. Brought to you by ESPN's SweetSpot Network.
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