White Sox pitcher Clayton Richard will be vying for a spot in the starting rotation this year as well. Last year, in AAA, he went undefeated at 6-0, and 6-6 in AA. However, both spurts in the minor leagues featured an ERA of less than 2.50. However, Richard struggled a lot in the MLB, starting 8 times, and coming out of the bullpen. He went for a 2-5 record, and a 6.04 ERA. But in the playoffs, coming out of the pen to relieve Javier Vazquez, he pitched 3 and a third scoreless innings. Even though the Sox later lost that game, he impressed and kept the lead from getting too out of hand. This Spring Training, he has impressed the team, and looks to be a front-runner for the job.

Spring Training action……….Yesterday, the White Sox faced the LA Dodgers at Camelback Ranch and went on to a 9-4 victory. At the plate for the White Sox, Gordon Beckham continued to impress with 3 doubles on the day, along with an RBI and 2 runs scored. Alexei Ramirez also had two hits, one being a triple, and Donny Lucy cranked his first home run of Spring Training. On the mound, starter Gavin Floyd pitched 4 scoreless innings, and bobby Jenks also came in for a scoreless inning, as the White Sox won 9-4.

I am continuing the White Sox rotation with Lance Broadway. The 15th overall pick of the 2005 Draft is one of the prime competitors for the job.

Lance Broadway does not have much MLB experience. However, his minor league number have impressed many. Last year, he tallied up 11 wins, but he still struggled. He also struggled in the minors in 2007, but pitched great in the major leagues that year. He only pitched 10 innings in 2007, but all were great, allowing only 2 runs and 5 hits. But in 2008, in 14 innings pitched, he struggled. With that little time spent in the majors, once again, no one knows how Broadway can perform at the big league level.

It will be a long shot for Broadway to make the starting rotation. However, watch for him this year to play in the bullpen or start a couple of games. He is a future player for this team.

Spring Training action……….Yesterday, the White Sox faced the Texas Rangers at Surprise Stadium. Offensively, not much happened, with Pierzynski and Getz getting two hits. Otherwise, they were shut down. As for pitching Clayton Richard shut the Rangers down in four innings. The game was uneventful for the most part as the Rangers went on to win 2-1, led by a home run by David Murphy.

Today, I will continue the starting rotation preview with Joe Contreras.

But isn’t Contreras injured? Yes, Contreras is injured, but is making a magnificant recovery. He may not be ready on Opening Day, but he will definately come later in the season based on how he is recovering.

The 36 year-old is aging quickly, but he still has what it takes to be successful for the South Siders this year. Last year, before being injured, he was 7-6, with a 4.54 ERA. Not too impressive, but considering he played a few agames with his injury, which didn’t go so well, his stats would improve if he took a full rest.

His stats have been on the decline since his amazing 2005 season. In 2006, he was 13-9, with an ERA of 4.27, but in the horrid 2007 season, he was 10-17, with an ERA of 5.57.

To be honest, no one knows how Contreras will perform in this upcoming season. How will he respond to his injury? No one knows, but there is one thing we do know: it could be great……….or terrible. Let’s wait and see.

Spring Training action………The White Sox had an off-day yesterday, but faced Texas today. I plan on writing reviews the day after the Spring Training game, because I cannot get on the computer as much in the nighttime.

This year, the White Sox 4th and 5th spots in the rotation are up for sale. Question marks are all around who will start. The White Sox have many candidates going for the jobs, and I will review each and every one individually in the next few days.

The first, as well as favorite for the job is veteran Bartolo Colon. No one knows how he will do. Ever since 2006, he has been feeling signs of old age in baseball terms, as he has been plagued with injuries. He has only started 35 games the past 3 seasons, and for an ex-Cy Young winner, as well as All-Star, it’s a bit shocking that the White Sox are expecting him to fulfill the role as a starter for the 2009 season. He only started 7 games last year in the major leagues for Boston, and spent a lot of time either out due to injuries or in Pawtucket.

However, in 2003, during his sole season with the South Siders, he was impressive as an All-Star and also having an ERA less than 4.00 and tallying up 15 wins. But Colon is aging, and will be turning 36 in the first half of the season. I am not sure how he will keep up throughout the 162 game season. I prefer him in a middle relief role, but anything can happen in baseball, so do not rule out the possibility of a great season.

Spring Training action……..Yesterday, the White Sox faced the LA Dodgers and North Siders in Spring Training action in a split squad game.

In the LA Dodgers-White Sox game, Alexei Ramirez and Carlos Quentin his back-to-back doubles to score a run. Corky Miller and first round Draft Pick Gordan Beckham both smoked homers. Jack Egbert on the mound allowed runners to get on base in all 3 innings, but managed to keep the Dodgers from scoring any runs. Adam Russell and Octavio Dotel continued their Spring Training troubles, each giving up runs, while the Dodgers went on to win 5-4.

In the Crosstown Classic of Spring Training, the White Sox once again beat those fellas from the North Side. Jeff Marquez, candidate for the rotation, allowed only 1 hit over 3 innings, and most of the  pitching shut the Cubbies down. Unlikely hero Josh Kroeger led the way with 4 RBI and 3 hits, as the White Sox went on to victory, 4-3.

The Oakland Athletics beat the Chicago White Sox earlier today 7-2 at Phoenix Municipal Stadium.

The game was quiet until the third inning, with Lance Broadway on the hill for the White Sox. Ryan Sweeney hit a two-run single to contribute to the A’s 4-run inning. However, the White Sox battled back in the top of the fourth as new Cuban prospect Dayun Viciedo proved himself further with a 2-run jack, but they could not capitalize on that for the rest of the game.

The A’s scored 3 more runs to go on to victory. Notable performances are those of Jordan Danks, with a two hit game, along with Lillibridge connecting for 3 hits.

In general, my Spring Training game reviews will be shorter due to lack of information. I don’t get them on TV, and the news stories are weakers, however, I assure you full in-depth coverage of the games once the regular season starts, when I can watch and get mire in-depth articles elsewhere.

To continue with the starting rotation, I will preview Gavin Floyd.

Gavin Floyd

Just like with Danks, Floyd had many questions going into 2008. Can he take on the role as starter? Is he capable? Will he help or hurt the White Sox? Who’s Gavin Floyd? After a season where he started 10 games, and going 1-5 with an ERA of 5.27, Gavin Floyd would be a full-time starter. What? a full-time starter after that horrible season? Just like Danks, he proved the doubters wrong, having an outstanding season as a starter. He finished with a record of 17-8, and an ERA of 3.84. And 18% of the runs scored while out on the mound…..were unearned, having bad luck with the fielding and errors happening behind him. And in case you don’t know, Floyd took two games into the 8th and 9th with no-hitters! His dangerous slider fools hitters like no other.

What can we expect from Floyd this year? Frankly, I expect him to have just as good of a season as last year, being one of the top starters for the White Sox this year.

Up next…….. The White Sox are playing a split quad game against the Athletics, and a night game against the Cubs in Vegas. I plan to review the earlier game tonight, and the late game tomorrow (it ends at midnight here folks). For the rotation preview, I plan to review each candidates separately, as the 4th and 5th positions are open.

On this Spring Training off-day for the White Sox, I will continue previewing the starting rotation with John Danks.

Going into 2008, questions loomed for this southpaw. Can he pitch another season? Will he do better? Who’s John Danks? After his forgettable 2007 campaign, his first role in the majors, many did not think Danks was the right person to be included in the rotation. 6-13, with an ERA of 5.50 is not a good way to start in your first season and gain the trust of a team. But Kenny Williams saw right through the statistics, and knew what Danks was capable of. And sure enough, 2008 was a great year for the sophomore southpaw.

Danks in Game 163 at the Blackout of the Twins.

Danks finished with an ERA of only 3.32, and had an impressive record of 12-9. One thing that stands out is despite the White Sox poor road record last year, Danks pitches better awayfrom The Cell, with an ERA of  2.92 on the road! Due to his performance last year, he was invited to join the USA World Baseball Classic team, but denied, saying his first priority is the White Sox (what a team player). The 23 year-old handled pressure last year like a veteran, pitching in Game 163 against the Twins. And did I say he allowed zeroruns? Yes, this is what Danks can do on the mound.

What can we expect from Danks this year? I have no crystal ball, but I would be scared of this guy! I think he can do even better with more experience. But let’s wait until 2009, and we’ll all see how Danks will do for the South Siders.

The White Sox lost to the M’s at Camelback Ranch with a score of 5-3 today. Here is a short recap of who did well, and who didn’t fare well.

Positives: Jim Thome smacked his first Spring Training home run, which also scored Carlos Quentin and Jermaine Dye. Pierzynski, Sergio Santos, Quentin, and Konerko each got singles today, along with 3rd baseman Josh Fields hitting two doubles. Michael Restovich chimed in with a double as well. Scott Linebrink, Bobby Jenks, Octavio Dotel, as well as some more pitchers all pitched scoreless innings.

Negatives: Clayton Richard, a candidate for the starting rotation, pitched 3 innings, allowing 4 hits and 4 runs. Ehren Wassermann allowed one run in his one inning of pitching.

Up next……..The South Siders have a day off tomorrow, but on Wednesday, they have split squad games against the Athletics and the North Siders in Vegas.

What I plan to do for the starting rotation is to preview each starter individually. Today, we will be previewing southpaw Mark Buehrle.

Mark Buehrle has spent all of his career with the White Sox. And year after year, he is putting up good numbers for the White Sox. In 2008, he finished with an overall record of 15-12, and despite the 12 losses, he still had an ERA at 3.79.  When he goes out on the mound, he is sure to give you at least 6 innings. However, one weakness is that Buehrle gives up a lot of hits, an average of more than one per inning. But hits don’t count in baseball, it’s the runs that matter, and with a 3.79 ERA and that many hits given up, he is still reliable.

This year from Buehrle, fans can expect the usual. He won’t be having the terrific season he had in 2005, or the forgettable season he had in 2006.  Turning 30 by the season’s start, Buehrle should have a season just like last year. He will be a key part of the White Sox this year.

And another piece of information on Buehrle……..he recently left Spring Training to tend to his wife who is expecting a child.

Other news………The White Sox face the Mariners today at Camelback Ranch. I plan to review the positives and negatives of the game later tonight after the conclusion.

Nothing is better than a Chicago rivalry in a completely meaningless game! So let me do a short recap of how the game went.

Jeff Marquez started out good in his Spring Training debut.

Jeff Marquez, a contender for the starting rotation, got off to a good start, pitching two scoreless innings. However, Adam Russell and Ehren Wassermann didn’t fare so well. Russell did not retire a single batter, with eight runs being scored will he was pitching. As for hitting, Dewayne Wise, Jim Thome, and A.J. Pierzynski represented the black and white well.

However, that wasn’t enough, as the team struggled offensively, as well as on the mound, being given a 13-0 beating from the Cubbies.

Next Up……….The White Sox battle the Dodgers tomorrow in an away game at their home stadium. I will be starting the rotation preview tomorrow as well.