Chicago White Sox mental lapses on display on Monday
The Chicago White Sox were the favorites to win the AL Central heading into the 2022 season. There was no questioning the talent on their roster, and with the improvements that they had made, it was easy to envision a repeat performance of their 2021 division title.
But that has not been the case. The White Sox have struggled to find headway this season, sitting two games under .500. They have seemed lethargic and at times disinterested, with mental lapses contributing to a disappointing season.
Chicago White Sox find new ways to lose on Monday
The latter was on display during their game against the Twins on Monday. The White Sox hit into a triple play in the bottom of the seventh as A.J. Pollock’s long fly ball set off a chain of events that may have led to their defeat in ten innings.
The White Sox had just tied the game against Griffin Jax as Yoan Moncada’s base hit had made it a 2-2 game. Adam Engel was brought in as a pinch runner for Gavin Sheets at second with the thought that he could give Chicago the lead.
Instead, his baserunning gaffe ended the rally in an emphatic way. Pollock hit a drive to center that Byron Buxton was able to catch on the run. In the video, one can see Engel drifting back to second as though he is going to tag up. However, he took off from second before tagging, apparently feeling as though the ball would hit the wall.
Moncada, meanwhile, appeared to be watching Engel for his queue instead of tracking the ball. As Engel went, so too did Moncada as he was halfway towards third when the ball came in, allowing for an easy enough triple play to end the threat.
This was a failure in almost every possible way. Engel and Moncada should have been watching the ball, especially given Buxton’s speed in center. The coaches should have been yelling that it was caught and to come back. Instead, that play made a difference in the game heading to extra innings, and a subsequent White Sox loss.
Next. La Russa not looking at results. dark
The Chicago White Sox found a new way to lose as they ran into a triple play. Those moments were a perfect example of this season.