1. Ryan aptly summed up the general feelings of the most exciting pitcher in White Sox history returning in an opposing uniform Tuesday, but it was nice to see everyone playing make nice in Chris Sale’s first start in Chicago wearing a Red Sox uniform since his offseason trade to Boston.
Despite Sale’s often hot-headedness and some belief that his occasional head-butting with the front office were at least part of the reason he was shipped away, Sale had nothing but good things to say about his time spent in Chicago, and fans greeted him with a standing ovation both when he took the field for warm-ups and when he toed the rubber in the first inning.
What followed isn’t what anyone would have guessed, however, as Sale and Jose Quintana were battered for 12 earned runs and 20 hits in just 7 2/3 innings combined in Boston’s 13-7 victory.
YCPB.
2. We no longer have to hand-wring when Sale has a rough outing — and Tuesday’s was easily the worst of his season for the Red Sox — but Quintana’s woes continue to be troublesome.
Quintana once again showed flashes of what has made him great throughout his career, striking out a pair in the first inning, including the virtually un-whiff-able Mookie Betts on a four-seamer in the first inning. But he lost all command in the innings that followed, allowing three homers and seven earned runs in just 2 2/3 innings. For reference, in 2016 Quintana allowed his third home run of the season on June 11 and only had three starts in which he allowed that many homers (that same day, when he also went eight innings and struck out 10, and again on July 9 against Atlanta).
There isn’t much to analyze about Quintana that we didn’t say after his last start, when he melted down in the fifth inning against Arizona after cruising through the first four. But it’s worth reiterating that as a pitcher without top-line stuff, he’s always going to need to command his pitches to a near-perfect degree in order to find success. Until he shows the ability to once again to that consistently, his performance will remain a concern.
3. Jose Abreu’s torrid stretch earned him American League Player of the Week honors last week, and with one day remaining in May he’s slashing .307/.347/.570 on the month, with Monday’s win over Boston counting as the only game in the last 12 in which he failed to reach base.
If Abreu continues to hit like this, trade talk will undoubtedly heat up — the chatter has already begun — as July 31 draws near. But the first base market isn’t exactly robust, and like with Quintana during the offseason, the White Sox surely won’t force a trade if the right package isn’t offered.
Likewise, Abreu was reportedly integral in the White Sox recruitment of Luis Robert, and has acted as a mentor to their other prized Cuban prospect, Yoan Moncada. His place on the next White Sox contender is uncertain, but his value during the rebuild is apparent.
4. There’s very little if anything teams can learn about Melky Cabrera this season that they don’t already know, but after a 2-for-5 day Tuesday, he’s hitting .367 with four home runs over his last 12 games and has raised his line to a more respectable .268/.319/.395 on the season.
That kind of performance isn’t going to change anyone’s minds about Cabrera. He’s an average corner outfield bat with very questionable defensive abilities. Likewise, outfield/designated hitter doesn’t seem to be an area of need among many playoff hopefuls. But if the White Sox hope to get even so much as a lotto ticket for Cabrera before the trade deadline, it certainly can’t hurt for him to be showing signs of life.
5. James Shields is apparently ready for a rehab assignment as he recovers from an injury that has kept him out since April 21, and the timing is ideal as the White Sox have a taxed bullpen and an open rotation spot following Dylan Covey’s injury.
The Sox have performed surprisingly well despite their pitching depth being stretched to its absolute limits in recent weeks, winning four of their last six games including three of four against Detroit over the weekend. They called up an extra reliever prior to their recent 10-day west coast swing, and had a full bullpen day with David Holmberg getting the start in a surprising win over David Price and the Red Sox on Memorial Day.
Still, with Shields presumably coming back fairly soon, and Nate Jones appearing close to a rehab assignment, as well, the opportunity to protect young arms from overwork and build the trade values of those two appear to be on the horizon.
Lead Photo Credit: Patrick Gorski-USA TODAY Sports
Too many disappointments on the pitching side so far in this rebuild. Rodon’s injury, Quintana, Giollito, and Fullmer’s performances. I sure as hell hope the clock is ticking on Hahn, but I doubt it is.