'Confident' White Sox eyeing ultimate goal

HOUSTON -- The White Sox were the first American League team to clinch a playoff spot during a pandemic-abbreviated 2020 season. They also bowed out of the postseason after an opening AL Wild Card Series loss to the A's in three games.

In 2021, the White Sox became the first team to clinch a division title by winning the AL Central crown for the first time since 2008. But this very confident squad, and a decidedly improved squad, believes the comparison to 2020 will end there.

“As a team, we’re feeling very good right now,” third baseman Yoán Moncada said through interpreter Billy Russo. “What happened last year is in the past.

“We have to keep our focus on right now. We’re confident in ourselves.”

This group should be confident after winning six of its final seven contests, with that winning streak interrupted by a 5-2 loss to the Tigers in Sunday’s regular-season finale. It’s a stark contrast to last season’s 2-8 finish, including a four-game sweep in Cleveland, when the White Sox admittedly took their foot off the gas upon reaching the playoffs.

Their 2021 playoff berth simply represents the beginning in the White Sox collective minds.

“Last year, in the shortened season, it was like a sprint,” starting pitcher Lucas Giolito said. “We played really good baseball. We clinched a spot in the postseason. And it was like, ‘Oh, awesome. We achieved what we were looking for.’ From there, we kind of lost that edge.

“Whereas we learned from that and this year the ultimate goal is winning a ring. We won the division. We celebrated, but at the same time, we celebrated where in the back of our mind, we knew, ‘OK, we are going to continue to play good baseball and finish this regular season strong, and be fully prepared for the playoffs.’ I feel like that’s exactly where we are at right now.”

Here’s a look at what the White Sox need to continue to do, as well as what they need to avoid, to achieve that championship goal. It all begins against the Astros in Game 1 of the AL Division series on Thursday at Minute Maid Park.

How do the White Sox advance?

Winning at Minute Maid Park is going to be a necessity, and that accomplishment evaded the White Sox during the regular season. Chicago never had a losing month during this 93-win campaign and the club's longest losing streak was five in a row from June 17-22. Four of those losses came in Houston, with the Astros outscoring the White Sox, 27-8.

Of course, this White Sox team is vastly different from the one in June. Giolito didn’t pitch in that series, while left fielder Eloy Jiménez (ruptured left pectoral tendon) and center fielder Luis Robert (right hip flexor tear) still were rehabbing their way back to action. Manager Tony La Russa’s crew featured the best AL home record at 53-28, while finishing 40-41 on the road.

Lance McCullers Jr. posted a 2.08 ERA in two victories over the White Sox, while Luis Garcia, Framber Valdez and José Urquidy also had good starts against the South Siders in Houston. The White Sox need to get into the Astros' bullpen, and have a patient offensive attack with the ability to do so.

What does the blueprint for a championship run look like?

Stay healthy, for starters. This deep and talented White Sox team hasn’t had many moments this season of everyone together, but if the club's 8-3 mark over the last 11 games rates any indication, it is pretty tough with the full crew.

All-Star shortstop Tim Anderson has preached having fun ever since the team became competitive, and the White Sox have more fun when Anderson is setting the tone from the top of the lineup. Anderson posted his third straight season with a batting average over .300 and topped the team in hits, runs scored, stolen bases and multi-hit games (46). The White Sox went 46-21 when Anderson scored a run and 34-12 when he produced two-plus hits. Chicago is also a tough team to beat when hitting home runs.

The White Sox hit four-plus homers 12 times in ’21, including 10 times since June 30. They finished 79-27 when hitting a home run, 43-6 when hitting multiple homers and 14-42 when going homerless.

Ultimately, though, pitching defines championship -- just ask the 2005 White Sox with their four straight AL Championship Series complete games, which is a feat almost certainly never to be seen again. The White Sox have a rotation capable of working deep but can shorten the game in front of Liam Hendriks, who is quite possibly MLB’s top closer.

What is one reason for concern?

Carlos Rodón will receive strong AL Cy Young Award consideration, and when healthy, he was one of this season’s best starting pitchers. But the lefty has battled through shoulder soreness down the stretch, leaving him as a bit of a question mark for the playoff roster in the Division Series. One of the game’s deepest rotations becomes a little less deep if a pitcher with 185 strikeouts over 132 2/3 innings isn’t operating near 100 percent.

Let’s add a second reason via the White Sox overall team defense. The Astros were one of the best defensive teams in baseball, with 44 Outs Above Average, per Statcast, while the White Sox ranked 15th at -3. Houston ranked second in Runs Prevented, and Chicago was 17th.