Inter-league Week
June 02, 2003
LATEST TEAM INFO
RECORD: 25-31
PLACE: 3rd
GAMES BACK: 6.5
With the White Sox' continuing fall manager Jerry Manuel has found himself on the hot seat, which could lead to him getting fired sometime during this current 14-game road trip. So far in the trip, the Sox are 2-5, losing two games to the Blue Jays and getting swept in a four-game set (one game was rained out) to the Cleveland Indians. The sweeps puts the Sox just 1.5 games ahead of the fourth place Indians. Offensively the Sox are showing some signs, but are still far from pre-season expectations, while their pitching staff has played far above expectations.
QUICK VIEW
D'Angelo Jimenez - 2B
A lot of people are still doubting Jimenez, especially fans, but his numbers are finally backing his play. After nearly two months of good, sound, fundamental at bats, Jimenez is 11-28 with eight RBIs and three homers in his last seven games. He's been a consistent hitter and has the swing and approach to maintain that the rest of the way. Don't be afraid to acquire him, thinking he won't keep this up, because he will.
Jose Valentin - SS
He's looking worse and worse as the season goes. I said in late April that you should deal Valentin because he's going to go in a rut, and sure enough, he has. Of course, if you haven't, no point in doing so now. He's good for one more run that should happen in the coming weeks.
Paul Konerko - 1B
What has happened to Paul Konerko? A good player turned bad. There is no clear reason as to why he's struggled as unlike other players, who may have a long swing, wrong strategy or bad luck, Konerko has been simply overmatched. What is worse is he has shown no signs of breaking out of this, instead a few hits here and there (a big gap between the two). Better off releasing him. No other team would pick him as they would look at his struggles dating back to last July and think this is the real Konerk, so you can get him back if he ever figures this out.
Miguel Olivo - C
He's officially the starting catcher of the White Sox and will be that for many years it seems. He's been one of the few effective hitters on the Sox and can provide some constructive numbers with doubles, and if the opportunities present themselves, stolen bases.
ROTATION OUTLOOK
6/3 - Esteban Loaiza (8-2, 1.96) Career Versus Diamondbacks: 0-1, 6.97
vs. Miguel Batista (3-3, 3.24)
6/4 - Jon Garland (3-4, 4.88) Career Versus Diamondback: N/A
vs. Curt Schilling (4-3, 3.04)
6/5 - Danny Wright (0-3, 6.57) Career Versus Diamondback: N/A
vs. Elmer Dessens (4-4, 5.45)
6/6 - Mark Buehrle (2-8, 4.72) Career Versus Dodgers: N/A
vs. Kazuhisa Ishii (4-2, 3.21)
6/7 - Bartolo Colon (5-4, 3.81) Career Versus Dodgers: 1-0, 2.57
vs. Odalis Perez (4-3, 4.34)
6/8 - Esteban Loaiza (8-2, 1.96) Career Versus Dodgers: 0-3, 5.53
vs. UD
A lot of first time matchups will occur this week as the Sox will play the NL West for the first time since inter-league started back in 1997. Bartolo Colon and Esteban Loaiza played against the D-Backs the Dodgers during their stays in the NL. Start every player in their starts with the exception of Wright, who has yet to proven he can stay consistent.
TRANSACTION
-Sox placed catcher Sandy Alomar on 15-day DL and recalled AAA catcher Josh Paul.
MINOR REPORT
There is no minor leaguer that has a chance of coming up at this point or in the near future.
