Will KC Royals Win The AL Central in 2016
By Scott Dillon
Chicago White Sox
It didn’t take long last season for the White Sox to earn the hatred bestowed upon them by the Royals and their fans. On opening day, Jeff Samardzija plunked Lorenzo Cain in a clear act of retaliation for the home run Mike Moustakas had just hit. By the time the Royals, tired of being beaned, made it to Chicago a couple weeks later everything boiled over as benches cleared and punches were thrown.
By the time the Royals, tired of being beaned, made it to Chicago a couple weeks later everything boiled over as benches cleared and punches were thrown.
Jeff Samardzija is gone this year. That’s unfortunate for the Royals because they handed him a 6.57 ERA when they faced him last season. It didn’t take long for the Sox to add a new face for the Royals to hate when they traded for Brett Lawrie. Perhaps Lawrie has forgotten what 100 mph looks like up close, but I’m sure he’ll be reminded.
The White Sox have had a very busy off-season just as they had the year before. Instead of chasing arms this year, they turned their attention to bats by adding the aforementioned Lawrie, and landing Todd Frazier as well. Frazier should add some thump to their lineup as he’s hit 64 home runs the past two seasons.
Chicago has plenty of talent and their fault in 2015, much like the Indians, was how long it took them to get going. Slow starts by Melky Cabrera and Adam Eaton as well as an underachieving Samardzija got the Sox off to a very slow start. Eaton however batted .335 in the second half compared to .245 in the first half of last season.
If Adam Eaton can come out the chute with the same numbers that he put up at the end of last season he could be a spark plug leading off the game for the White Sox. Carlos Rodon also didn’t live up to his abilities last season but showed flashes of brilliance at times. If Rodon starts to show promise and Frazier is protected in the lineup, the White Sox could be very dangerous this year. Don’t forget they also have a great closer in the bullpen to lock down the late frames.
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