Robertson, Duke, Jennings give White Sox instant relief
The early numbers are in, and they're not adding up for the White Sox.
The top four hitters - Adam Eaton, Melky Cabrera, Jose Abreu and Adam LaRoche - are batting a combined .180 (22-for-122).
Leadoff man Eaton and No. 2 hitter Cabrera have yet to draw a walk.
Through Wednesday's play, the Sox ranked 13th (out of 15 teams) in the American League with 24 runs scored, an average of 3 per game.
The White Sox are also 13th with a .277 on-base percentage and dead last in the AL with 13 walks.
They've also made 7 errors in 8 games, and the baserunning has been abysmal.
On the pitching side, Chris Sale looked as good as ever in his season debut Sunday, Jeff Samardzija showed big improvement in his second start and Jose Quintana somewhat quietly keeps getting it done.
Once budding star Carlos Rodon arrives from Class AAA Charlotte, the Sox can move either Hector Noesi or John Danks out of the rotation and roll out one of the better starting fives in baseball.
That leaves the bullpen, and so far, it's been very good.
Actually, newcomers David Robertson, Zach Duke and Dan Jennings have been the early season bright spots.
"Every time you turn around and your roster changes, it changes the dynamic of your team, and having guys in the bullpen like that, there's just a different vibe to it," manager Robin Ventura told reporters in Cleveland, where the White Sox split a two-game series before Thursday's day off. "Just the feeling of those guys coming out there, I think Jennings and Duke and Robertson are a nice combination right now. You have some veteran guys with Duke and Robertson, and you're seeing a different feeling just because of their experience and their talent."
Robertson looks to be the lock-down closer the Sox have been searching for since Bobby Jenks exited after the 2010 season.
In his first 4 appearances, the right-hander has pitched 4 scoreless innings with 8 strikeouts and 2 saves.
That is much better than Robertson's showing in spring training, when he allowed 6 runs in 6⅔ innings.
"Obviously, it ran through my head a couple times in spring," said Robertson, who signed a four-year, $46 million contract with the White Sox in December. "I was like, 'Oh, I better start throwing a little better because they want to see they're getting something good for what they paid for.' It was just a matter of time just letting those spring training outings blow by and get to the real games."
Duke also struggled in the Cactus League, posting a 6.75 ERA.
When the regular season rolled around, the veteran left-hander came alive. Duke signed a three-year, $15 million contract with the Sox in November.
In his first 4 appearances, Duke's allowed 1 run in 4 innings.
"We want to get the ball passed to us with a lead and preserve it," Duke said. "Hopefully, get the guy some more wins this year."
Jennings, acquired in an off-season trade from the Marlins for Andre Rienzo, has not allowed a run in 4⅔ innings over his last 4 games.
scouting report
White Sox vs. Detroit Tigers at Comerica Park
TV: Comcast SportsNet today and Sunday; WGN Saturday
Radio: WSCR 670-AM
Pitching matchups: The White Sox' Jeff Samardzija (0-1) vs. David Price (1-0) today; Chris Sale (1-0) vs. Anibal Sanchez (1-1) Saturday; TBA vs. Shane Greene (2-0) Sunday. All games 12:08 p.m.
At a glance: This is a big early series for the White Sox, who will try cooling down the red-hot Tigers. Detroit is off to an 8-1 start and already has 4 shutouts. The Tigers lead the American League with a 1.91 ERA and are second with a .312 team batting average. The Sox have a 4.63 ERA and .230 batting average. Jose Quintana is the likely White Sox starter for Sunday, which would come on four days' rest. Samardzija pitches against Detroit for the first time in his career. The Sox were 9-10 against the Tigers last year. They haven't won a season series vs. Detroit since 2008.
Next: Cleveland Indians at U.S. Cellular Field, Monday-Wednesday
- Scot Gregor