The Chicago White Sox are hosting the New York Yankees for a four-game weekend series. On Thursday night, they saw firsthand why the Yankees have the best record in the American League and are one the best teams in baseball.
The Yankees lineup scored 15 runs in the opening game of the series. The White Sox have been carried by their pitching, especially starting pitcher Dylan Cease. However, the Yankees’ approach at the plate proved why they will be a tough team for a White Sox roster that is just starting to get their footing on the season.
Cease’s start ruined by Stanton
Cease had a rather strong start, to a point. With 11 strikeouts in four innings, it was another game that proved why the White Sox pitcher can dominate on the mound. Cease continues to nail his off-speed pitches and force batters to swing.
Dylan Cease's 11 strikeouts through 4 innings are tied for the most strikeouts thru 4 IP since at least 1974
10 other instances in that span
— Sarah Langs (@SlangsOnSports) May 13, 2022
However, a fastball that was left over the heart of the plate was the first of a handful of mistakes for Cease. Giancarlo Stanton is one of the best power hitters in the game and can take any pitch to the opposite field. Cease was hoping to hit the low outside corner of the strike zone and left the ball high and down the middle, allowing Stanton to get to the pitch.
Let it G 👊 pic.twitter.com/rqfx7WrRm9
— New York Yankees (@Yankees) May 13, 2022
Down 2-0 after the first, Cease was already pitching to make up ground. The pitch count was getting high for a starter that rarely pitches past the 100-pitch mark. Then came the third inning and Stanton’s second plate appearance. The score was tied at three and with a runner on third, Cease was aiming for the high inside fastball, knowing what happened in the last plate appearance. Instead, the missed location, once again cost him as the ball didn’t move inside. Stanton crushed the 0-1 offering and gave the Yankees a 5-3 lead.
Crush Hour. pic.twitter.com/Ag95NVCWrc
— New York Yankees (@Yankees) May 13, 2022
Cease allowed six runs in the four innings pitched which arguably makes the last start his worst of the season. However, a few missed pitches, notably the fastball were his undoing. Cease had to face Stanton, who not only can get to the high heat but can also crush the fastball as well, especially when it’s right down the plate.
White Sox bullpen unravels
Credit the White Sox, they came back in this game. At a point, the game felt like the one that was played in the August summer last year with the surplus of runs and back and forth scores. The game was tied at seven at the end of seven innings, but the bullpen started to struggle in the seventh inning itself.
While the White Sox provided a few scoreless innings, Ryan Burr left a 95-mile-per-hour fastball over the plate. Let’s just say that against Aaron Judge, it’s bad to miss in the zone.
Pardon me.
Are you Aaron Judge, sir? pic.twitter.com/09dbj7TubW— New York Yankees (@Yankees) May 13, 2022
The White Sox lineup stepped up and tied the game in the seventh inning, highlighted by a Yoan Moncada three-run home run. Unfortunately, the bullpen fell apart. The relievers carried the White Sox with Matt Foster emerging as a top option in crucial situations and Liam Hendriks remaining a dominant closer.
YO GOES YARD!#ChangeTheGame | @NBCSChicago pic.twitter.com/wauL6kCW0r
— Chicago White Sox (@whitesox) May 13, 2022
In this game, manager Tony La Russa went with Joe Kelly, despite the entire bullpen being available in a tied game. Kelly needs to get some innings as he’s returning from an injury and is a bit rusty. Against a Yankees lineup, it showed. The floodgates opened with the veteran reliever allowing four walks and five runs, capped off with a three-run blast from Josh Donaldson. Tanner Banks came in to clean up the mess but at that point, the role was simply to clean up in a game that was already out of reach.
What the 15-7 loss means for the White Sox
There’s a reason the Yankees are the best team in the American League. Moreover, the Yankees this season, unlike the roster last year, have a better approach at the plate. The White Sox learned firsthand that missing over the plate is consequential, especially against the power hitters in the middle of their order.
The White Sox ideally have to pitch out of the strike zone and try to get the Yankees to chase pitches. While the Yankees will wait for pitches and are willing to draw walks, missing outside of the zone won’t be as costly. Moreover, the White Sox pitchers saw firsthand that this is a lineup that can and will get to the fastball. This is a series that tests the White Sox pitching staff, which has been excellent otherwise, and it demands that they pitch off-speed and paint the corners.
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