Ostrowski: Sox's division is holding them back
The roller coaster ride that has been the White Sox this season just came to a screeching halt and everyone was jerked forward in the ride's final moments. At least, for now.
Robin Ventura's club has gone 8-8 in their last 16 games. The stellar 23-10 start in the first five weeks of the season that was followed by a frustrating 6-20 plunge seems to be evening out.
Hall of Fame NFL head coach Bill Parcells famously said, “You are what your record says you are.” That quote fits the now 37-38 Sox.
After 75 games, this team has settled in at what they are. A .500 record at home, while sitting one game below .500 on the road.
It would be a different story if they could just break even against Cleveland, Kansas City, and Detroit. Instead, they've lost 18 of 24 games to the three teams they're chasing in the AL Central. The Sox's startling 31-20 mark against teams other than the Indians, Royals, and Tigers would be a huge advantage if it weren't for the division struggles.
Mediocre results shouldn't be a surprise when the lineup has three players with a wins above replacement north of one: Adam Eaton, 3.3; Todd Frazier, 1.4; and Jose Abreu, 1.2. Tim Anderson could join that group, but he's only been with the big club for 15 games.
The numbers say that Brett Lawrie, Avisail Garcia, Dioner Navarro, and Austin Jackson when healthy are replacement level players. The same went for Jimmy Rollins. When J.B. Shuck's .189 avg and .221 OBP is forced into action, he's hurting the team with a -0.7 WAR in only 25 games.
By comparison, Kansas City has five position players with a 1+ WAR. The list doesn't include Mike Moustakas, out for the season with a torn ACL, and Alex Gordon, returning from the disabled list yesterday.
Detroit also has five position players with a WAR above one. Although J.D. Martinez, who is out with a broken elbow, isn't one of them.
Like the Sox, first place Cleveland has three guys in their lineup with a 1+ WAR, but they also have the deepest starting rotation in the division. Four of their five starters have an ERA of 3.32 or less.
Give the pen a break:
The Sox's bullpen needs Monday's off day more than anyone else. The team has played nine games in nine days, with three going to extra innings. Eight of those nine contests were decided by two runs or less.
But the biggest reason the bullpen has had to carry a heavy load this week is because a Sox starter hasn't gone six innings in the last four games.
David Robertson and Nate Jones both had stretches where they pitched in five of six games. Zach Duke's 39 relief appearances is tied for the most in baseball.
The all-star break can't get here quick enough for the guys in the pen.
• Joe Ostrowski is a co-host of the “Hit & Run” baseball show from 9 a.m. to noon Sundays on WSCR 670-AM The Score with Barry Rozner. Follow him on Twitter @JoeO670.