In July 2017, the Southsiders made a trade that would change the team’s trajectory for good when they sent Jose Quintana to the Cubs for prospects. Among those prospects the White Sox received was highly touted young pitcher Dylan Cease.
After moving through the White Sox minor league system, Cease would make his debut in 2019. He started fourteen games that season en route to an ERA of 5.79. Over the next two seasons, Cease would continue to develop his arsenal and his ERA would drop.
Even still, he was still considered a player with high potential that had to “figure it out” going into 2022. With elite stuff, as evidenced by his 226 strikeouts in 2021, the sky was the limit — if he could just get over the hump.
Dominance Begins
Early in the 2022 season, Dylan Cease looked like his usual self for the White Sox. With high strikeout and walk numbers, he looked great against lesser teams while struggling against the good ones. The lowest point of the season was his start against the Red Sox on May 24th when he allowed seven earned runs in just three innings.
Since then, Cease has completely turned his season around. In the thirteen starts since that day, he has allowed just five earned runs. Perhaps his best display during this stretch came against Minnesota. In that contest, Cease pitched seven shutout innings with just one hit allowed and eight strikeouts.
Following the start against Boston, his ERA sat at 4.24. Now, he has lowered it all the way to 1.98, good for third in the MLB. His 166 strikeouts also sit at third in the league. His K/9 however, sits atop the league at 12.2.
Flying Under The Radar
Despite being one of the best pitchers in the league in nearly every category, Cease has not always been given the recognition he deserves. In fact, he was not even named to the A.L. All-Star team. This was despite the fact that he led both Nestor Cortes and Paul Blackburn in every statistical pitching category.
Furthermore, in the MLB’s flagship video game MLB the Show 22, he has not once been named to the game’s Player of the Month program, despite inferior pitchers like Jon Gray and Brady Singer receiving acknowledgment.
Currently, Cease is second in betting odds for the A.L. Cy Young award. However, his +300 odds don’t even sniff the -155 odds owned by the Astros Justin Verlander.
Just How Dominant Is Cease?
Last season, the Mets’ Jacob deGrom had one of the most dominating stretches of pitching excellence we have ever seen before losing his season to injury. Through fifteen starts, he owned an ERA of 1.08 with 146 strikeouts and 40 hits allowed.
Over Dylan Cease’s thirteen starts in this unbelievable stretch with the White Sox, he has an ERA of 0.60, 95 strikeouts, and only 47 hits allowed. Now, is Cease as good as deGrom? Of course not, no one is. Alas, over this stretch, he has been nearly as untouchable. However, in deGrom’s case, it was much more publicized.
Going forward, there is not much reason to expect a drop off. Simply put, his stuff is too good to fail. A visit to Cease’s Baseball Savant page shows what you would expect, a lot of red. With a fastball spin rate in the 97th percentile and a whiff rate in the 96th percentile, his fastball is not getting touched.
How about the off-speed you might be wondering? Well, his 95 strikeouts on the slider are the most on any pitch in the league. That pitch offers opposing hitters a startling -30 in run value.
So, despite the lack of recognition around the league (outside of Chicago), Cease is unquestionably one of the leagues very best. With the White Sox just a few games out of the division lead, this magical thirteen game stretch from Dylan Cease is keeping them afloat. Absolutely deserving of a playoff start, he just might get one if he keeps this up.
Think back to the end of the 2020 season. Yes, the Dodgers would end up winning the World Series but as the off-season came there was one team firmly in the spotlight: the Chicago White Sox. One of the hottest young teams in the league, it seemed as if they could have any manager they wanted. Eventually, Jerry Reinsdorf and the White Sox settled upon Tony La Russa. To say that La Russa is accomplished would be putting it lightly. In fact, he was already a Hall of Famer when he was hired by the White Sox for the second time.
Under La Russa, the White Sox were promised a competitive advantage by having one of the game’s greatest managers in the dugout. So, despite the obvious concerns about how a 77-year-old would manage a team loaded with young talent, ownership promised results.
Ruining The Lineup
In 2021, the White Sox fielded one of their best teams in recent history. So while they dealt with the occasional La Russa blunder none of them were enough to slow Chicago. While the mistakes were plentiful, fans were convinced they could win in spite of their manager.
In 2022, La Russa has seemingly made it his mission to prove otherwise. Now his mistakes pop up in seemingly every avenue possible. Even the basic act of setting the lineup has become a spectacle for Southside fans.
In fact, over the last seven games, the White Sox have had the same lead-off hitter for back-to-back games just one time. In the absence of Tim Anderson, La Russa has often employed Leury Garcia as the lead-off man. While he is a fine utility man for any team, he does nothing at the plate. His .184 batting average and 29 OPS+ should make that clear, but not for La Russa who appears to only see that he is a switch hitter.
The constant reshuffling of the lineup this season has been curious, to say the least. Some days Andrew Vaughn will hit second, sometimes he will hit seventh. Perhaps Garcia will hit first tonight or maybe he will hit ninth. The only consistency in the lineup is no consistency.
Bullpen Management
It could be argued that, for the White Sox front office, nothing is more important than the bullpen. Between Joe Kelly, Liam Hendriks, and Kendall Graveman, Chicago will spend over 28 million dollars in 2022. This will be well worth it however as they are all highly valuable members of the team.
Despite having loads of bullpen talent, which also includes Reynaldo Lopez and Aaron Bummer, La Russa has preferred to use lesser players in huge spots. The most blatant instance came against the Yankees.
With a lefty up in Anthony Rizzo, La Russa appeared to be bringing in fellow lefty Tanner Banks to deal with him. After Kelly was clearly rattled, it only made sense. However, La Russa evidently planned to use Banks for the next hitter. Who was that hitter you may ask? None other than the red-hot Giancarlo Stanton with the bases loaded.
Stanton quickly smoked a single that scored and then fellow righty Josh Donaldson stepped up and hit a three-run homer. A manager’s job is to put his players in the best position to succeed. Alas, La Russa appears content giving the other team the advantage.
The Final Straw?
After a litany of questionable decisions, the Tony La Russa madness reached a new level during Thursday’s White Sox versus Dodgers game. After allowing Freddie Freeman to get on, left-hander Bennett Sousa was slated to face Trea Turner. One of the league’s best players, this was always going to be difficult. However, Sousa got up in the count 1-2 before Freeman advanced to second on a passed ball.
It was then that La Russa decided that he was going to intentionally walk Turner in a 1-2 count with two outs already in the inning. This indefensible decision was immediately followed by a three-run home run by Max Muncy that turned a two-run lead into a five-run lead and effectively ended the game.
If there was ever an example of a manager costing his team games, La Russa is it. Of course, he is one of the game’s greatest managers there is little debate about that. However, the game has clearly passed him by. While the correct time fro the White Sox to fire La Russa has come and gone, Reinsdorf can not continue to hold their fans hostage.
Baseball is back! A frosty, tense, and acrimonious lockout thankfully ended last week, and Spring Training is well underway. Pre-season games start on March 17th, with Opening Day scheduled for April 7th. Subsequently, it is the perfect time to look forward, not back, and preview the new campaign — focusing on the AL Central.
The AL Central could get hectic this season. The Central has featured some miserable baseball over the last few years. However, Spring Training has provided fans with glimpses that the green shoots of recovery are springing. Last year, the Chicago White Sox ran away with the title, but they should see some fierce competition as their rivals look stronger.
Our AL Central preview begins in Chicago. The Chicago White Sox enjoyed a superb 2021 season as they romped to the AL Central title. The veteran management of Tony La Russa, coupled with a top-ten pitching rotation and powerful hitting, propelled the ChiSox to the playoffs. Ultimately, the Sox’s season ended at the hands of the Houston Astros. Nonetheless, the South Siders start 2022 as the runaway favorites to repeat as AL Central winners.
Biggest off-season move: Leury Garcia
Keeping a franchise cornerstone on the roster is a good sign for the White Sox. White Sox stalwart Leury Garcia re-signed with the franchise in the off-season, as he inked a three-year deal worth $16.5 million. Garcia’s utility ability and pop off the bat are essential parts of the Sox’s everyday roster.
Player to watch: Gavin Sheets
One of the touted prospects from the White Sox pipeline, Gavin Sheets, broke through in 2021. The powerful, versatile player hopes to build off of an impressive rookie campaign. Sheets can play in the infield, outfield, and possibly as DH in inter-league games. Sheets is getting plenty of looks in Spring Training games, and he could start on the White Sox’s Opening Day roster.
Season projection: AL Central winners
The White Sox are too talented, too deep, and too experienced not to win the AL Central. Their pitching rotation and bullpen are the best in the division, and they can hit for power and placement. With La Russa’s veteran experience, this is a team ready for the 162-game marathon.
The Cleveland Guardians finished second in the AL Central last year. Overall, it was a solid, if unspectacular, season from a club long removed from the halcyon days of playing in the World Series. The Guardians are a milquetoast organization, and 2021 was the ultimate example.
Biggest off-season move: Not trading Shane Bieber
Shane Bieber is one of the top pitchers in the game. The former Cy Young Award recipient is still on the Guardians’ roster. Whether he ends the season as a Guardian is another matter. Bieber could be one of the big names on the trade block near the deadline. The experienced arm will continue to deal and give the Guardians a chance until then.
Player to watch: Gabriel Arias
Ranked as the third-best prospect in the Guardians’ pipeline, Gabriel Arias will make headlines in 2022. The infielder hit .571 during his Spring Training at-bats. The Guardians sent him to minor league camp on Monday. Nevertheless, Arias will get called up at some point. The talented hitter with solid fielding skills is another young prospect in the AL Central.
Season projection: Bringing up the rear
The Guardians are in complete tear-down mode. Add that with their AL Central rivals getting stronger, and it will be a long 162 games for the club.
The Detroit Tigers emerged from their hibernation in 2021, as AJ Hinch’s first season as manager went well. The Tigers finished third in the AL Central, as the first positive signs of their rebuild bore fruit. 2022 is an even bigger year for the Motor City Kitties. Exciting prospects, significant free-agent acquisitions, and an experienced manager could kick-start a new era of Tigers baseball.
Biggest off-season move: Signing Javy Baez
The Tigers needed a shortstop; GM Al Avila bagged a shortstop. The enigmatic Javy Baez inked a six-year deal worth $160 million. The former two-time All-Star has one Gold Glove and a World Series ring on his trophy mantle. Baez’s signing ushered a new stage in the Tigers’ long-term plan. Signing Baez suggests that the Tigers are now willing to splash the cash to improve the team and compete. All eyes in Detroit are on Baez this season.
Player to watch: Spencer Torkelson
Former first-overall pick Spencer Torkelson is the most exciting prospect in the AL Central. Torkelson enjoyed a glittering, record-breaking college career before the Tigers drafted him. Due to the Covid-hit Minor League program, Torkelson got on the fast track to the big leagues.
The powerful infielder is slotted to play first base, and his batting ability could quickly elevate him into a rookie phenom status. Future Hall of Famer Miguel Cabrera gave Torkelson the seal of approval during Spring Training. That sums up how the Tigers view Torkelson.
Season projection: Above .500
The Tigers now need to tack on a winning season to prove that Al Avila’s plan works. The Tigers have a glut of talented youngsters, a core of solid veterans, and some exciting new faces. It’s been a long time coming, but it finally looks like the Tigers are back on the prowl.
Like the Tigers, the Kansas City Royals enjoyed a decent 2021 season. The Royals displayed a similar trajectory to their rebuilding bedfellows, as they hit the 70-win mark for the first time in several years. With a group of talented prospects in the pipeline and some experienced everyday players, the Royals could shake things up in the AL Central.
Biggest off-season move: Zack Greinke
Zack Greinke is home. The veteran former Cy Young Award winner is back where it all started. While Greinke isn’t the pitcher of ten years ago, his veteran moxie and know-how bagged him 11 wins last season. The Royals handed Greinke a one-year deal worth $13 million. He will take the mound on Opening Day, and the Royals will desperately want Greinke to maintain his skillful approach. Greinke had solid whiff percentages on off-speed pitches, which will be crucial to success in Kansas City.
Player to watch: Bobby Witt Jr
Bobby Witt Jr is the number one ranked prospect in baseball. The shortstop is the classic five-tool player, and he will surely break out in 2022. Witt’s outstanding athleticism and blazing bat speed are the headline-stealing traits. The AL Central may not have seen an exceptional talent emerge like this in several years.
Season projection: Above .500
The Royals’ ETA is eerily similar to the Tigers’. Therefore, the Royals must have a winning season. They possess a blend of exciting youngsters and veterans, and the Royals could enjoy a sneakily good season.
Our AL Central preview ends in Minnesota. The Minnesota Twins propped up the AL Central last year, and they’ve made aggressive moves to change course in 2022. The Twins’ new-look batting lineup should bring about some Purple Rain this season, and the fans are expecting a significant bounce-back.
Biggest off-season move: Signing Carlos Correa
The big blockbuster deal of the off-season was Carlos Correa signing with the Twins. The superstar shortstop signed a three-year deal worth $105.3 million. It was an eye-watering contract, but Correa’s CV deserved a big payday. Correa is a serial winner; a threat at the plate and in the field. He is arguably the best player in the AL Central.
Player to watch: Gary Sanchez
Gary Sanchez was part of the package sent to Minnesota when the New York Yankees traded for Josh Donaldson. Sanchez was a part of the Baby Bombers when the Yankees reached the ALCS in 2017. Sanchez smashed 33 home runs that season.
Sadly, it was the highlight year as sub-par batting performances, doubts about his defense, and criticism surrounding his physique overwhelmed Sanchez. A clean start in a friendlier market could help Sanchez kick-start his career. It’s a make-or-break year.
Season Projection: Playoff contenders
The Twins got better this off-season. A lot better. Their batting lineup now boasts plenty of power, they’ve got solid fielders, and their pitching rotation features some star names. “If” is a big word in sport, but they will be right in the mix if the Twins clubhouse gels.
Jose Altuve put the exclamation point on game four of the ALDS with a three-run home run in the ninth to push the Houston Astros back into the ALCS with a 10-1 win. The Astros now head to their fifth-straight ALCS to face former bench coach Alex Cora and the Boston Red Sox. With their defeat of the Chicago White Sox in the ALDS, the Astros became only the third team to make five consecutive League Championship Series appearances (Oakland Athletics, 1971-1975; Atlanta Braves, 1991-1999).
Game Four Recap
The Astros got behind early on, then took a 2-1 lead in the third when Carlos Correa doubled off White Sox starter Carlos Rodon, bringing in Jose Altuve and Alex Bregman. They would then add to their lead in the fourth inning. Martin Maldonado would single to center and scored Kyle Tucker after he stole second and third base. An Alex Bregman double that would score Altuve and Maldonado would make it 5-1. Michael Brantley would single in the sixth to bring in Chas McCormick to make 6-1. He would single again in the eight to plate Altuve and make it 7-1. Altuve would then go on to make it 10-1 with his homer in the ninth.
Lance McCullers Jr. started for the Astros, going four innings and allowing one run on five hits while striking out five. He was not as great as he was in game one but was good enough. He exited the game due to forearm tightness and hopefully will be available for the ALCS. The bullpen would finish the game off with five scoreless innings, with Yimi Garcia picking up the win.
Looking Ahead
The Astros will get ready to appear in their fifth consecutive ALCS, where they will face the Red Sox in a rematch of the 2018 ALCS. The Red Sox would win that series in five games en route to their World Series title. The Red Sox are coming off their ALDS win where they ousted the number one seed Tampa Bay Rays three games to one. Game one will be on Friday night at Minute Maid Park. The Astros and Red Sox faced each other twice in the regular season, with Houston winning the season series four games to two. This series will be fun to watch. Friday cannot get here fast enough.Â
