Momentum is building for the Chicago White Sox following their four-game series with the New York Yankees this past weekend. Although they split the series two games apiece, there were many positives to show why the team is on the upward both on and off the field.
The White Sox took the first two games of the series in two different ways that sparked buzz and optimism. Last Thursday, they trailed the Yankees 4-0 before tying the game and then later winning it in the late innings. Shortstop and possible All-Star candidate Tim Anderson had the big hit as he clocked a three-run homer to tie the game.
Friday’s game was the most important of the series due to the magnitude surrounding the game. There was a large crowd on hand to watch one of the best pitchers in baseball this season in Lucas Giolito pitch. It was also the team’s chance to finally reach a .500 record this late in the season since 2016, the season before the rebuild began.
The team has had several chances to get to .500 this season but had missed their chance. Friday night they blew out the Yankees winning 10-2 behind Eloy Jimenez career night as he went three for four with two three-run home runs. Giolito continued to pitch great as the team finally got their record even on the season, but most importantly succeeded in an important spot.
On Saturday, The White Sox made the front page of the sports section of the New York Post. This is important as the Post recognized Jimenez’s big night providing the team with national recognition. Not even the Chicago Tribune featured the White Sox on the front of their sports page given the significance of Friday night’s win.
The win and the recent strong play of the young White Sox players led to an increase in attendance for the team. During the four-game series, the average attendance was 32,507 with both Saturday and Sunday’s games being sold out. Those are huge numbers for a franchise that has been nationally mocked for low fan attendance in recent seasons.
Even though the White Sox lost the last two games to the Yankees, they have sparked interest for the first time in nearly seven seasons. If the team continues to play near .500 and young players like Giolito, Jimenez, Anderson and Yoan Moncada continue to play strong, the team will be relevant again. T
his past weekend series demonstrates how the rebuild is trending upwards and how fans and the media are starting to take notice.
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