Reds vs. White Sox: Pitching preview, prediction, and more

The Reds’ final road trip of 2021 begins with a visit to the South Side.

So you’re telling me there’s a chance? Much like Lloyd Christmas in Dumb & Dumber, the odds may be one in a million, but mathematically the Cincinnati Reds (82-75) playoff hopes are still alive, albeit on life support.

Cincinnati staved off elimination yesterday with a 13-1 pummeling of the visiting Pittsburgh Pirates in the season finale at Great American Ball Park. However, with a subsequent Reds loss or win by the St. Louis Cardinals, the Redbirds will clinch the second and final Wild Card berth in the National League.

But let’s focus on the positives from the last week. For the first time since 2013, the Reds have secured a winning record in a full season of play and notched back-to-back winning campaigns, which they haven’t accomplished since the 2012-2013 seasons.

While it’s a little too late, the Redlegs have won five of their last seven games and are playing their best baseball in well over a month. Additionally, kudos to left-hander Reiver Sanmartin who picked up a victory in his MLB debut yesterday by tossing 5.2 innings of one-run baseball in the dismantling of the Pirates.

Even though the Chicago White Sox (89-68) clinched the American League Central title last week, there’s still some incentive to finish strong. The Sox will be facing the AL West Champion Houston Astros next week in the postseason, but the question of home-field advantage in the series is yet to be determined. Currently, the Astros hold a 2.5 game lead over the South Siders for the second seed in the junior circuit.

The Reds and White Sox split a two-game set in the Queen City in May; however, Chicago has dominated the series between the two clubs. Lifetime the South Siders hold an overwhelming 19-9 advantage over the Redlegs, including a 6-2 mark at the ridiculously named Guaranteed Rate Field.

Whether it’s hitting or pitching, the Sox have few weak spots.

When you look at the numbers, it’s no secret why the White Sox will participate in the postseason. The Sox rank second in the AL at the dish with a .335 OBP as play began yesterday. Additionally, their team 106 OPS+ mark places them fourth in the junior circuit.

Even though he doesn’t have enough at-bats to qualify among the league leaders, former Reds farmhand Yasmani Grandal is having an exceptionally strong offensive season.  The two-time All-Star is slashing .245/.423/.536 with 23 round-trippers in just 265 at-bats, but he’s not the only Sox hitter wreaking havoc in the Windy City.

Reigning AL MVP Jose Abreu ranks second in the league with 113 RBIs, and since returning from the IL following a hip injury, Luis Robert has been nearly impossible to retire. The 23-year-old centerfielder is slashing .346/.383/.556 in 257 at-bats.

However, the Sox do more than hit. Their pitching staff ranks among the best units in the AL.  Currently, Chicago hurlers lead the junior circuit in strikeouts while placing fourth in ERA.

Whether it’s the rotation or the bullpen, the White Sox are solid. Chicago starters have compiled an impressive 3.63 ERA, while the bullpen has posted a 3.93 mark, with both units averaging more the 10 Ks per nine innings.

Regardless if David Bell throws a brigade of right or left-handed hitters at the Sox, the Cincinnati offense will have their hands full. Chicago’s skipper Tony La Russa’s staff holds righties to a paltry slash line of .232/.301/.385 while lefties slash an anemic .225/.294/.378 versus Sox pitching.

The Reds’ third baseman is ending a difficult 2021 season on a positive note.

Better late than never, right? There’s no sense in rehashing the first five months of Eugenio Suárez’s 2021 campaign, so let’s celebrate his play over the last final few weeks of the season.

Over his last 30 games, Geno is slashing an impressive .288/.379/.625 with seven bombs and 13 RBIs. Despite the horrific overall numbers, Suárez still ranks third on the club with 29 homers and 76 ribbies. While he’s been an easy target this year for Reds Country frustrations, let’s not forget what kind of player he’s been in the past.

Since 2018, his 127 round-trippers are the most in baseball. In addition, he’s a former All-Star who has twice finished in the top 20 in the MVP voting. At age 30, can he regain the form that made him such a force in the middle of the Reds lineup before this year?

Let’s pray the answer is yes. Geno has three years remaining on his deal after this season, and with the anticipated departure of Nick Castellanos, the Suarez of old will be desperately needed. However, there’s little doubt his play in 2022 will be a determining factor in the Redlegs producing a third consecutive winning campaign.

Prediction

As the Reds await the last nail in their 2021 coffin, there’s still some incentive to finish strong. Their 82 victories are the fifth-most this century, and with a strong final week, they can eclipse the 85 wins of the 2000 club for fourth-place.

Look for the Redlegs to get one win closer to that mark as they split the two-game set with the White Sox before heading to the Steel City for the final series of the 2021 season versus the Pittsburgh Pirates.