this chicago white sox They need more than Luis Robert Jr. in the opener of their three-game series against the visitors on Tuesday. cleveland guardians
In Chicago’s three-game series against the Houston Astros last weekend, Robert was on base or scored six of seven points.
it’s not enough to keep white sox From losing two of three games to 14 games below .500
Robert, a Gold Glove-winning outfielder in the 2020 season, has set the bar high for his teammates in many ways. white sox Manager Pedro Grifoll said he was most impressed by Robert’s improved discipline in cricket
“In terms of the types of balls he can play, he has very few weaknesses,” Grifoll said. “He can hit breaking balls off the field. He can hit all kinds of balls. He just has to make sure they’re in the strike zone. He does a really good job of getting ready.”
After a tough 16 games through the end of April, when Robert was batting .091 with five hits and 20 strikeouts, he hit .422 in May with six home runs and 14 RBIs. .
A major difference this season, Robert said, has been the ability to continue his offseason training regimen in the batting cage.
“These are the workouts I’ve done in the offseason with my personal trainer and my personal hitting coach,” he said. “I’ve been unable to incorporate that into my work here, but now I’m able to.”
this guardian In the eighth inning of their past three games, they have their own red-hot first base hitter, Josh Naylor, who has homered in the eighth inning of his past three games to help Cleveland run against The visiting Los Angeles Angels scored two of three
Naylor is the first player since 1961 to hit a home run in the eighth inning or later in three straight games, according to ESPN Stats & Information.
“You have to learn how to ride the waves,” Naylor said. “Sometimes it doesn’t go well, sometimes it goes off the charts, but you have to keep it smooth.”
Naylor has limited the offense to three points or fewer in 24 of his first 37 games, but totaled 16 against the Angels.
“I think he’s like a spark for the team, whenever he’s gone, he keeps the team alive,” he said. guardian said second baseman Andres Gimenez. “I’m really happy to see what he’s achieved in the last couple of games because I know he’s worked really hard and he’s a really good player.
Right-hander Sean Bieber will start on the mound in Cleveland.
Bieber (3-1, 2.61 ERA) has played three straight games, most recently in a 2-0 win last Tuesday as the Detroit Tigers went scoreless on seven hits in six innings .
Bieber made 17 career starts white sox8-4 with a 2.64 ERA
this white sox Lance Lynn was originally slated to start the series opener, but Griful said after Sunday’s 4-3 loss to the Astros that he has yet to determine his rotation for the series in Cleveland
–Field-level media