The Chicago White Sox just locked down a historic series victory over the Los Angeles Dodgers, and they did it against the ultimate measuring stick. We are talking about a defending champion team with a payroll over three times that of the South Side. For a young squad to go toe-to-toe with the best in baseball is a statement in itself, but the history makes it even sweeter: this is the first time the White Sox have won a series against the Dodgers since 2014!
Saturday afternoon proved to be a reality check of sorts, facing off against the former World Series MVP Yoshinobu Yamamoto. Yamamoto backed up his elite resume, painting corners with heat and being able to finish with the splitter as his ultimate weapon. The right-hander was able to keep the young South Side bats off-balance in a truly magnificent performance.
Though the box score tells a different story, the White Sox forced multiple double-digit pitch at-bats and had 8 separate balls hit over 95 mph. This near-perfect game was incredibly unlucky, as Los Angeles was able to make great plays on the field. It was a stark reminder of what elite pitching looks like, but the fact that the Sox made an ace labor that intensely showed their confidence never wavered.
Sunday was starting to feel a little similar to the previous day, as Emmet Sheehan had only allowed one hit through the first five innings. Sam Antonucci has been a staple in this Sox roster this season, and the entire baseball world saw why in the bottom of the sixth inning when he sent his first career home run over the right field wall. After that, it was absolute chaos. Miguel Vargas continued his All-Star case with a knock and a stolen base, which led Andrew Benintendi to hit his 32nd RBI of the season.
Colson Montgomery couldn’t stop smiling after hitting a two-run bomb on his own bobblehead day. It was fiery second baseman Chase Meidroth who capped off an electric 6-run sixth frame, launching a two-run shot of his own to right field. This offensive burst proved that while this young lineup can go quiet for a few frames, their ability to strike lightning can turn any game in their favor.
The White Sox just took two series against the two best teams the National League has to offer, and what’s most exciting is who wasn’t on the field. The White Sox are on this run without slugger Munetaka Murakami, starting catcher Kyle Teel, and opening day Starter Shane Smith. The depth is real, the kids are fearless, and if they can beat the Braves and Dodgers like this while shorthanded, the American League could be in serious trouble when reinforcements arrive in July.
The White Sox continue to drop my jaw, the boys are rolling, and it’s been magical. With a key injury to the Guardians’ superstar Jose Ramirez, the White Sox have a real shot of winning the AL Central, and it feels unreal to even say that, considering how the White Sox looked even a year ago. Nevertheless, the White Sox are must-watch baseball, and I can’t wait to see what the South Side has in store for us.
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