The Chicago White Sox finished 2010 with an 88-74 record, which put them in second place in the AL Central, but it wasn't enough to give them a wild card spot. With the addition of Adam Dunn in the offseason, the White Sox should have an even more potent lineup. Put that with a rotation that looks good from top to bottom, and Chicago believes they can improve on last year’s win total.
This team is spending more and more money, and should have more to show for it than just two division crowns over the past 10 years. See if Chicago can live up to expectations this year with my MLB predictions on them below.
Projected Lineup
The White Sox are really hoping for another big year out of left fielder Juan Pierre at the top of the batting order. Pierre finished 2010 with 96 runs, 68 stolen bases and a solid .339 OBP and with the guys they have coming up after him, he should be able to top the 100 run mark this season.
After Pierre, the White Sox have one of the rising stars in the American League in shortstop Alexei Ramirez, who hit .283 with 18 home runs and 70 RBIs, and could be in for an All-Star season. Center fielder Alex Rios bounced back from a bad 2009 season to hit .284 with 21 home runs and 88 RBIs, and he also had a career-high 34 stolen bases.
Now we get to the power part of the lineup. Adam Dunn is a huge addition to the heart of this lineup, as he has hit 38 home runs in each of the last two seasons and could easily improve on those totals hitting in hitter-friendly U.S. Cellular Field. First baseman Paul Konerko proved he still has some pop left in his 35-year-old bat, as he hit .312 with 39 home runs and 111 RBIs last season.
Carlos Quentin won't hit for a great average, as he hits just .250, but this guy knows how to bring runners in with 36 home runs and 100 RBIs. Second baseman Gordon Beckham couldn't get it going early in the year, but hit .310 after June 23. The 24-year-old could be ready for a breakout season. Catcher A.J. Pierzynski is reliable behind the plate and also brings great leadership and drive to win.
The only big concern for Chicago comes at third base. Brent Morei didn't have a great run in a late-season call-up, but there is a lot of potential and he will have every chance to hold down the job.
Projected Rotation
For this pitching staff to really be dominant in 2011, they need Jake Peavy to become the pitcher he was with the San Diego Padres. He won't start out as the ace of this staff, but Chicago is definitely hoping he ends up in that spot. For now, veteran Mark Buehurle will likely be the go to guy, but he has to show he still has what it takes to be an ace after a 13-13 season with a 4.28 ERA.
Gavin Floyd and John Danks are two guys the Sox are really counting on to help them win the division. Danks went 15-11 with a 3.72 ERA, while Floyd went 10-13 with a 4.08 ERA. Both have the potential to be 15 plus game winners this year.
The final spot in the rotation figures to go to Edwin Jackson, who the White Sox acquired in a midseason trade with Arizona last year. Jackson went 4-2 with a 3.24 ERA in 11 starts with the White Sox and if he can come anywhere close to that ERA, the Sox will be in great shape.
2011 Projection: Second Place, AL Central
Owner Jerry Reinsdorf’s passion to win has put the White Sox in position to contend. But first they have to find a way to get past the Twins, who have kept them from getting to the playoffs on a consistent basis. With the Detroit Tigers steadily improving as well, I believe the White Sox will fall short again in 2011.
No question the Sox have the talent to make it to the postseason, but they are relying on too many players to bounce back from injury and/or poor seasons. The White Sox MLB odds to win the Al Central are currently listed at +160.
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