The White Sox are off to an 8-14 start and there's plenty of panic going around the South Side, though starter Jeff Samardzija has a message: Chill.
While serving as an honorary coach at the Special Olympics Chicago's 47th Anniversary Spring Games Monday, Samardzija addressed the current state of the White Sox and the growing criticism from fans of manager Robin Ventura.
“Robin’s a great leader," Samardzija said. "You know, Robin is doing everything he can do and it’s only been one month. So let’s just calm down a little bit.”
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The White Sox have played 13.5 percent of their 162-game schedule, which equates out to about two NFL regular season games or one and a half regular season college football games. Still, the Sox lost all five games on their recent road trip and have an offense that ranks near the bottom of baseball in plenty of statistical categories.
Samardzija will take the mound for the White Sox to open a three-game series against Detroit Tuesday at U.S. Cellular Field, with Chris Sale and Jose Quintana starting the other two games.