NBC Sports Chicago is simulating the 2020 White Sox season via MLB The Show during the postponement of play. The White Sox, stocked with young talent and veteran offseason acquisitions, were expected to take a big step forward in their rebuild this season. Follow along as we play out the first few months of the season.
Result: White Sox def. Indians 7-3
Record: 35-32, 3rd in A.L. Central (1.0 GB of Indians)
W: Dallas Keuchel (3-5)
L: Mike Clevinger (8-3)
Game summary: The AL Central race continues to tighten as the White Sox and the Indians squared off in the opener of a three-game series.
The South Siders struck first in the opening inning. After a leadoff walk from Edwin Encarnacion, Eloy Jimenez went deep for his league-leading 23rd homer of the season to give the White Sox a 2-0 lead.
Cleveland immediately responded in the top of the second, as Jordan Luplow hit a two-run homer off Dallas Keuchel to tie the game. However, that would largely be it off Keuchel, who has endured a tough season thus far. The veteran lefty went seven strong innings, allowing three runs while striking out three.
Meanwhile, the fourth inning was the Indians' undoing. A Tim Anderson double, Luis Robert walk and Nick Madrigal single set the table for Encarnacion. The White Sox unlikely leadoff hitter crushed a no-doubter off Mike Clevinger for a grand slam and put his team up four.
MLB
That, and an extra run driven in by Madrigal were more than enough to bring down the division leaders. The White Sox could sit alongside the Indians atop the AL Central with a win on Wednesday, coupled with a Twins loss.
White Sox lineup:
Edwin Encarnacion: 1-3, HR (20), 2 BB, 4 RBI, 2 R (.323 BA)
Eloy Jimenez: 1-4, HR (23), 2 RBI, R (.261 BA)
Yoan Moncada: 0-4 (.261 BA)
Yasmani Grandal: 0-4 (.310 BA)
Jose Abreu: 0-3 (.305 BA)
Tim Anderson: 1-4, 2B, R (.287 BA)
Luis Robert: 1-2, 2B, 2 BB, 2 R (.248 BA)
Nick Madrigal: 2-3, 2B, RBI, R (.265 BA)
Nomar Mazara: 0-3 (.260 BA)
Scoring summary:
Bottom first
Eloy Jimenez homered to left field, Edwin Encarnacion scored. 2-0 CHW.
Top second
Jordan Luplow homered to left field, Oscar Mercado scored. 2-2.
Bottom fourth
Encarnacion homered to left field, Tim Anderson, Luis Robert and Nick Madrigal scored. 6-2 CHW.
Top sixth
Franmil Reyes singled to center field, Cesar Hernandez scored. 6-3 CHW.
Bottom sixth
Madrigal doubled to left field, Robert scored. 7-3 CHW.
Notable Performance: When one thinks of Encarnacion, leadoff hitter is not the first thing that comes to mind. More like cleanup hitter. And to his credit, Encarnacion is still hitting like one. With his grand slam on Tuesday, he now has 20 home runs and 44 RBIs.
Yet, with his two walks on Tuesday, he also leads the league in walks (47) and on-base percentage (.444). Most teams want that type of ballplayer leading off games for them.
Next game: Wednesday, June 10 - Game 68: Indians vs White Sox (Carlos Carrasco, 5-2, 2.99 ERA vs Dylan Cease, 3-4, 6.38 ERA)
Click here to download the new MyTeams App by NBC Sports! Receive comprehensive coverage of your teams and stream the White Sox easily on your device.