The White Sox took charge against the Pirates this weekend, sweeping all three games at PNC Park. They opened the second half of the season with a strong 3-0 record, marking a decisive turn after a rough stretch.
In their latest game, Chase Meidroth set the tone early with a near home run. He ended up with a double, and soon the White Sox found their rhythm. Vargas launched a three-run homer, followed by Mike Tauchman hitting a drive into the Allegheny River. “We made some changes in our approach to hitting fastballs, and it paid off,” said manager Will Venable, clearly pleased with the team’s performance.
Tauchman added, “It’s about being aggressive when you get the right counts. We did a good job of that.” The only missed chance was not scoring 10 runs for a third straight game, something they hadn’t achieved since 2008. Still, it was plenty of support for pitcher Aaron Civale, who had his best start of the season.
After a tough outing against the Guardians, Civale bounced back to secure his first quality start. He allowed just one unearned run, with a stellar six strikeouts, particularly shining in the final innings. “It felt great to finish strong this time,” Civale noted, reflecting on his improved performance.
The team showed a clear evolution in their hitting strategy, fostering a group mentality toward success. Vargas remarked, “We’re working together and building quality at-bats.” This unity is crucial, especially as they head into their next series against Tampa.
The weekend’s impressive display also drew attention on social media, with fans celebrating the team’s increased offensive strength. As of now, the White Sox have outscored the Pirates by a staggering 20 runs in these three games, a testament to their growing cohesion and effectiveness on the field.
In contrast, the White Sox’s record now stands at 35-65, with fans hopeful for better outcomes as the season progresses. For more details, check out the box score here and the Statcast analysis here.