White Sox can soothe some of season's sting with strong showing against Cubs
Between all of the losses, injuries to key players (Michael Kopech, Jose Abreu, Avisail Garcia, Jake Burger, Dane Dunning, Luis Robert) throughout the organization, the near death of relief pitcher Danny Farquhar and the business over baseball decision on Eloy Jimenez, the White Sox have got to be relieved the 2018 regular season is nearing an end.
Not quite.
As long as Rick Renteria is in the dugout, every game has meaning. No matter the record, or the length of the disabled list, the Sox's manager can find a purpose for every inning, every pitch.
That's why it's a good bet the White Sox won't be going through the motions when the rival Cubs visit Guaranteed Rate Field this weekend.
It's also a good bet that Renteria is going to be pointing across the field at the visitor's dugout and encouraging his young roster to get to the level of perennial playoff participant.
As they scramble to avoid the first 100-loss season in franchise history since 1970, the Sox can minimize some of the sting with a strong showing against the Cubs, who are likely headed to the postseason for the fourth straight year.
They can also use this weekend's environment to prepare for what is still a promising future.
"I think it's really important," Renteria said. "I think that part of this process is to understand that playing the game is not to be played just through September. The hope is always that your club is in position to be playing into October.
"We talk about that a lot, so hopefully our guys continue to push and not let down. Just keep pushing, keep playing and understand that's what is going to be required as we move forward and develop."
Renteria managed the Cubs in 2014, so he understands the importance and interest in the city series.
The White Sox juggled the rotation so Carlos Rodon can face the Cubs on Sunday instead of Dylan Covey.
Reynaldo Lopez and Lucas Giolito start the first two games, and both young right-handers should benefit from pitching in a playofflike setting.
The same can be said for young regulars like Tim Anderson, Yoan Moncada and Daniel Palka, along with a revamped bullpen stocked with prospects.
"Part of it is them getting their feet wet and seeing how their stuff plays at the big-league level," Sox general manager Rick Hahn said. "We try not to get too deep into guys making or not making teams in September for next year, I think that's a little too aggressive.
"But guys can certainly make good impressions, and guys can certainly leave here with the thought of what they need to work on."