Sox’ Konerko on All-Star Game: It’s all good
The White Sox need Paul Konerko, Adam Dunn, Chris Sale and Jake Peavy to get as much rest as possible before the second half of the season resumes Friday at Kansas City.
The foursome is going to the All-Star Game instead of the couch, and they are looking forward to Tuesday night’s event. Peavy was a late all-star add Sunday.
“You are always happy to go,” said Konerko, who is making his sixth trip to the All-Star Game. “As a kid, I remember watching it every year. To be in that game, it’s kind of neat. Now, I have kids and they can come see it and that’s the second part of it. It’s all good.
“You enjoy yourself. I try to be ready to play when I go there, but everything else in between those times, I try to get as much rest and not grind like you do every day when you are here. That’s my goal.”
Peavy will play in his third All-Star Game on Tuesday. Dunn is going for the second time and Sale is making his first trip.
Sale has the numbers (10-2, 2.19 ERA) to get the starting nod for the American League all-stars, but the Sox’ left-hander is expected to pitch 1 inning of relief.
“It would be something that would be great,” Sale said of starting baseball’s showcase game. “But at the same time, I’m not going to sit here and complain about still being a part of the All-Star Game but not starting. It’s still an honor to be there. At the end of the day, it’s just about being a part of the whole process and just having the opportunity to pitch in an All-Star Game is enough for me, to be honest with you.”
Right stuff:The White Sox head into the all-star break leading the American League Central.Many first-place teams are loaded with overachieving players, but manager Robin Ventura sees none of that on the Sox.#147;I don#146;t think anyone is overachieving,#148; Ventura said. #147;I think guys are playing to their capabilities and they#146;re playing well as a team. They#146;re getting hits at the right time. Guys are getting on base when they need to get on base.#147;And more in games that are close, if we need a guy to get on, he gets on and we get him over and get him in. That#146;s the best part of it. It#146;s all working together. But I don#146;t see guys overachieving. I see guys playing to their capabilities.#148;Looking ahead:After a four-day break, the White Sox open the second half with three games at Kansas City.Manager Robin Ventura said Jake Peavy is likely to start the second game, with Chris Sale going in the third game.That probably means Gavin Floyd starts the opener against the Royals, with Jose Quintana lining up fourth in the rotation.If Philip Humber stays healthy, he could come off the disabled list and step is as the fifth starter, replacing Dylan Axelrod.