White Sox
Automated ball-strike calls can add excitement and make umpires accountable, players say. But the system can also remove part of the human element from the game.
Garrett Crochet and three relievers combined to shut out the Nationals as the Sox won a second straight series.
The team designated outfielder Rafael Ortega for assignment to free up the roster space.
Erick Fedde and Andrew Vaughn help the Sox win the nightcap 4-0 after dropping the opener 6-3.
Crochet, Leasure, Lee, Ramos and the team’s improved overall play in recent weeks are looking up.
Soroka has a 6.39 ERA in nine starts.
Chris Flexen is one of many White Sox who could be dealt before the July 30 deadline.
The plan is for games at the team’s Arizona complex before a minor-league rehab assignment.
The game will be made up in a straight doubleheader Tuesday.
For those who followed Boo Buie’s remarkable career with the Wildcats, it might be a bit surprising to see him on the NBA’s pay-no-mind list so soon after it ended — and in his own backyard, no less.
The Sox are 9-7 in their last 16 games after a 3-22 start.
“In that aspect, I’m happy with what our catchers are doing with our pitching staff and the job Drew Butera and [pitching coach] Ethan Katz and [bullpen coach] Matt Wise are doing in preparing for a game,” manager Pedro Grifol said.
The Sox have won four in a row for the first time this season and for the first time since a seven-game run last June.
Before the game Saturday against the Guardians, manager Pedro Grifol wasn’t ready to commit to keeping Ramos in Chicago.
In this week’s Polling Place, we also asked about the White Sox and the Sky.
Crochet was stellar in the 6-3 win Friday against the Guardians. He threw six scoreless innings, striking out 11 and not allowing a walk.
After weeks of quality at-bats, Vaughn hit his first homer Friday against the Guardians.
The Guardians have no business being 10 games over .500 and leading a surprisingly decent-looking American League Central, but here they are. Boy, the White Sox could learn a thing or two.
The 22-year-old third baseman doubled and singled in his first two at-bats.
Crochet ranks among the AL strikeout leaders heading into his start Friday against the Guardians.