Frazier to Abreu: ‘I’ve got your back, big dog’

MINNEAPOLIS – Jose Abreu, Todd Frazier’s got your back.

For the White Sox, having a qualified cleanup hitter batting behind three-hole hitter Abreu is big. Pitchers are probably less inclined to pitch around Abreu knowing Frazier, who hit 35 home runs for the Cincinnati Reds last season, is standing in the on-deck circle.

“Having someone behind Jose who’s just as dangerous is huge,’’ hitting coach Todd Steverson said.

Frazier’s first-year presence there is also symbolic of an attitude gaining momentum in the Sox dugout, that if a teammate doesn’t deliver, the next guy up will dig in harder.

“It’s funny, Jose makes an out and he probably doesn’t understand what I’m saying,’’ Frazier said of his new Spanish-speaking teammate, “but as I’m walking up to the batter’s box I say, ‘I got you this time, big dog.’ ’’

It’s not like Abreu needs a rescue team on 24/7 alert – he averaged 33 homers and 104 RBI over his first two major league seasons – but even the best hitters fail 70 percent of the time. So there’s a lot of picking up to do, and Frazier relishes those moments.

“We got guys who want to be in those situations,’’ Frazier said. “We know we’re not going to succeed all the time but the big thing with me is when you can accept failure but never expect it. Because in this game you’re going to fail more than you succeed. When you can accept it knowing it’s not going to happen every time.’’

In the seventh inning of the Sox’ 7-3 win over the Indians Saturday at U.S. Cellular Field, Frazier picked up a key RBI in something of a pivotal moment in the Sox’ first early stretch of the season. Staff ace Chris Sale had given up the lead in the top of the inning on a homer by Yan Gomes, a day after their dud of a home opener. With runners on second and third and no outs, Abreu was walked intentionally by Cody Anderson, bringing up Frazier with the bases loaded. A fielder’s choice grounder, not the most glamorous of RBI, tied the game.

“It wasn’t a hit but I got the guy in, we tied the game,’’ Frazier said. “You accept that because you did your job. It’s all about doing your job. And we got four more RBIs [three on an Avisail Garcia home run] after that [and won the game]. Just do your job.’’

Frazier is 6-for-29 (.207) over a small sample size but with two homers and six RBI in seven games. One homer was a three-run shot on an 0-2 pitch from Chris Bassitt in the second game, a 5-4 win in Oakland. His first double provided a tack-on RBI in the ninth inning of a 4-1 win over the Twins Monday.

“He ain’t scared,’’ Steverson said. “He’s coming to play. He wants it, and he’s going to get it. But he does it smart.’’

After being last in the American League in runs scored in 2015, the Sox look like they could be closer to average offensively in 2016. Combine that with an above average pitching staff that could – the jury is still out on this one – get ordinary rather than bad defense, and the Sox might just be a contender. For what it’s worth, they woke up on their off day Tuesday with a 5-2 record, the best in the AL Central.

“It’s an exciting team to be on, man,’’ Frazier said. “When you go up there excited and knowing you have an opportunity to win and everybody is picking each other up, there’s nothing better than being comfortable at the plate knowing that.

“I feel pretty good at the plate and as long as we’re winning there’s no problems, you know?”

Follow me on Twitter @CST_soxvan.

Email: dvanschouwen@suntimes.com