Anderson, Sox roll to third straight win
Tim Anderson is gaining steam as a face for major-league baseball because he enjoys himself on and off the field and he's not shy about speaking his mind on any issue.
Don't forget about how good Anderson is as a player.
The White Sox's 27-year-old shortstop made a name for himself last year, when he led the major leagues with a .335 batting average.
After enduring the COVID-19 shutdown, Anderson is picking up right where he left off in 2019.
Chasing the cycle for the second time in five games during Tuesday night's 10-4 win over the Tigers at Guaranteed Rate Field, Anderson homered in the first inning, doubled in the second and singled twice while going 4-for-5 and hiking his batting average to .379.
"I'm just seeing the ball really well," he said. "Being aggressive in my spots and not missing my pitches. My work is definitely showing."
Anderson also led off Monday's game with a home run.
"I know we've talked about him in the past and in the current," Sox manager Rick Renteria said. "He's a kid that we keep saying is continuing to mature and to grow and to get better. I know it's hard to believe, but he's doing what I think he's going to ultimately be as he continues to move forward. Is he always going to be as sharp? Probably not, but he's showing you now some consistency.
"I think everybody's starting to see the consistency in his approaches and in his at-bats. I think everybody's recognizing what he's capable of doing. We want him to just continue to do it and enjoy himself. He's really grown up and he's matured and he's becoming a fantastic hitter."
Dylan Cease had a solid start, allowing 2 runs over 6⅓ innings, as the White Sox (13-11) won their third straight.
Center fielder Luis Robert left the game with a sore right hand in the eighth inning after trying to make a diving catch in the seventh. X-rays were negative and he is day-to-day.
Catcher Yasmani Grandal was held out of the game with back tightness. "We want to make sure that back calms down and hopefully, before the end of the week, he's back in there again," Renteria said.