Jose Abreu admits the White Sox took their collective foot off the gas pedal after clinching a playoff berth last Thursday.
He believes some good can come from it.
Since defeating the Twins to lock down the Sox’ first postseason in 12 years, the Sox went on the road and lost two of three to the Reds before dropping the first two games of a four-game series against the Indians.
“For good things to happen, you need bad things to push you,” Abreu said through a translator before the third game Wednesday. “This is probably not the way we wanted to do it, but this is the time preparing us to be stronger and a way better team.”
After a 10-11 start, the Sox went on a 22-5 run that culminated with taking three of four from the Twins for the playoff clincher. They averaged 3.2 runs since then on the road trip before Wendesday. But Abreu said the Sox “are on the right track.”
Whether they play well or not, the final four series against the Twins, Reds, Indians and Cubs will have served as primers for the postseason. All are good teams, perhaps an eye-opener for a team that hammered the Tigers, Royals and Pirates to the tune of 21 wins in 24 games.
“These final five games are going to be different and the postseason is going to be good,” Abreu said. “We are going to be prepared for what is coming. It’s preparing us for a better postseason.”
On Wednesday, the Sox faced the top pitcher in the American League, Justin Bieber. On Thursday, they will face Zach Plesac (4-2, 1.85), who has tossed 14 scoreless innings with 18 strikeouts and one walk against the Sox this season.
Abreu, a candidate for the AL Most Valuable Player award, isn’t letting his foot off the pedal when it comes to playing every day. He hasn’t missed a game yet and he plans on playing all 60 games, in large part because his mother gets upset when manager Rick Renteria gives him a day off when he’s not hurt.
Rollin’ Garrett
Left-hander Garrett Crochet, three months removed from the draft and having no minor league experience before Friday, hit 102 mph in his third scoreless one-inning relieve appearance Tuesday. He’s all but a lock to make the playoff roster, and his next test could be pitching on consecutive days.
“It is a possibility you could see him back-to-back, absolutely,” Renteria said.
Crochet was stretched out to two innings at the training facility in Schaumburg, so going more than one is possible.
“If we deem it appropriate, then there’s a chance that that could happen,” Renteria said.
Heat of the moment
Renteria was asked more than once about the necessity for players to maintain cool in vital games, in direct reference to shortstop Tim Anderson getting ejected Tuesday by umpire Angel Hernandez.
“All the players have a right to an emotion,” Renteria said. “[Anderson]
wasn’t out there on the field making it a thing — he was in the dugout.
“All I’m saying is the emotions are running high. Was I irritated that he tossed him? Abso-friggin-lutely I was irritated, and that’s why I went out there.”
Renteria was also ejected, his second in two nights.
This and that
Closer Alex Colome, who did not pitch the 10th inning after throwing six pitches in the ninth in a 5-3 loss to the Indians due a back spasm, was feeling better Wednesday and Renteria was optimistic he’d be available.
*Adam Engel made his 16th start, in place of Nomar Mazara in right field.
