The Chicago White Sox’s offensive struggles have been well documented through the first two months of the season. Yoan Moncada and Yasmani Grandal posted career lows and the White Sox ranked in the bottom third of the league in nearly every offensive category. However once the calendar flipped to June and the weather heated up, so did the bats.
Entering Wednesday’s game the White Sox ranked third in the MLB in runs scored in the month of June. In the series finale against the Detroit Tigers, they flexed their muscle once again. They scored a season-high 13 runs and registered a whopping 22 hits. Six players recorded multi-hit games.
Yoan Moncada was the star of the show, recording his first career five-hit game. It was a much-needed breakout performance for Moncada, who entered the game with a .132 average and just three extra-base hits. One of those extra-base hits came off a bunt to beat the shift.
But on Wednesday, Moncada was back in 2019 form. In the first inning, he sent a 92 mph fastball 394 feet into the left-field stands off Tigers rookie, Alex Faedo.
The home run provided Moncada with the confidence he needed for the rest of the afternoon.
“I said after the home run, ‘Well, today is going to be a good day for me'”, Moncada said during his post-game interview through interpreter Billy Russo.
He tacked on a single in the fourth inning, a double in the sixth, and a pair of RBI singles in the eighth and ninth inning. Both of those hits came off position players, but it didn’t matter to Moncada. He raised his average to .181 and finished the day with five RBIs.
Moncada has been the weakest link in an otherwise solid offense this month. If he can continue to heat up it could be bad news for the rest of the division.
Hakuna Moncada, what a wonderful phrase.#ChangeTheGame | @NBCSChicago pic.twitter.com/d08YYuRvgu
— Chicago White Sox (@whitesox) June 15, 2022
Jose Abreu has been anchoring the offense. On Wednesday he delivered a four-hit performance to add to his blistering hot streak. In Abreu’s last 30 games he is batting .336 with 18 RBIs and six home runs. Abreu has always been a constant in the middle of the lineup and after a slow start, he has returned to the offensive monster the White Sox know and love.
Meanwhile, AJ Pollock has recorded six consecutive multi-hit games. Pollock was one of the Dodger’s most consistent hitters last season. After a brief stint on the IL, it took him a while to find his rhythm at the plate. Pollock now is showing everyone why Rick Hahn traded for him this offseason. He is batting .429 in his last seven games with a .515 slugging percentage. Pollock has been a great leadoff man in Tim Anderson’s absence.
But perhaps the unsung hero of the offense is Danny Mendick. Mendick launched his third home run of the season on Wednesday. Since taking over for Tim Anderson at short Mendick has been on an offensive tear. He is batting .288 with a .812 OPS. He has two home runs, eight RBIs, and eight runs scored in his last seven games. Mendick could hit Josh Harrison out of a job when Tim Anderson and Eloy Jimenez return. With his production at the plate, he is the front runner to take over at second base once Anderson slides back in at shortstop.
The bats are hot!#ChangeTheGame | @NBCSChicago pic.twitter.com/1eU2TskVLe
— Chicago White Sox (@whitesox) June 15, 2022
As a team, the White Sox have scored five runs or more in seven straight games. Tony La Russa’s squad will need to carry that momentum with them into Houston this weekend.
I feel that the affliction of Wernicke-Karsakoff Syndrome is having an impact on LaRussa’s thinking and decision making. Also, if they lose Liam Hendriks for the season they are cooked and stuffed.