White Sox believe they’re setting tone for 2020 season with September surge

A few weeks ago, first baseman Jose Abreu said the 2020 season starts in September. If that’s the case, look out.

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Jose Abreu said the 2020 season starts in September.

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DETROIT — A few weeks ago, first baseman Jose Abreu said the 2020 season starts in September.

If that’s the case, look out.

The White Sox followed a 19-hit effort in Friday’s win with a 17-hit performance in Saturday’s 5-3 victory against the Tigers.

After failing to score in the first four innings, shortstop Tim Anderson’s solo homer in the fifth inning set off a chain reaction for the Sox.

After his home run, Abreu and rookie Eloy Jimenez each hit a single. Then, Yoan Moncada drove them both in with a triple.

But that’s just one inning in what has been a memorable September for the Sox, who have been headlined by those four players in particular.

The hits keep coming for Moncada, Anderson and Jimenez. Moncada, who leads the majors in hits this month, went 2-for-5 on Saturday, boosting his monthly total to 34. Anderson and Jimenez are second and third in the big leagues this month with 30 and 29 hits, respectively.

Abreu also has been hot at the plate. He went 3-for-5 with a two-run single in the eighth inning for his 120 and 121st RBI, which marks the most by a Sox player in a season since Magglio Ordonez (135) in 2002.

“Our offense right now is pretty good and it’s going to be better,” Abreu said through a translator. “It’s one of our best areas. We can compete with everybody from the offensive standpoint.”

Abreu’s value stretches far beyond the batter’s box.

In the fifth inning, he fell into the net to make a diving catch just past the visitor’s dugout at Comerica Park. And in the ninth, he helped Anderson complete a double play. Anderson’s throw was slightly low and away from the bag. Abreu stretched out and caught the ball — falling to his chest in the process — all while miraculously keeping his foot on base. 

“A lot of people look at him as a power hitter,” said right-hander Ivan Nova, who allowed two runs and eight hits in five innings. “But he’s a really good defensive player too. He does everything to get that ball.”

Seeing the Sox’ surge this month is giving Abreu hope for the future. Abreu is hoping to re-sign with the team for next season.

“I like what we have been doing in September,” he said. “I truly believe this is the foundation for next year. All the guys are improving. They are trying to push themselves to finish the season as strong as possible and just build on that for next year.”

With eight games remaining, manager Rick Renteria believes the Sox are closing out the season on a high note and setting the tone for 2020.

“We’ve been driving and pushing and trying to do things a certain way to put us in a position to where I believe we are kind of establishing an identity of who we are, what we want to do,” he said. “And certainly having some of the young men that joined us this season and some of the breakout seasons other guys have had is putting us in a better position, and it’s giving us a belief and trust that we want to be fighting next year, we want to be competing for something.”

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