Indians 3, White Sox 1: Quiet end to first rebuilding season

No. 4 pick secured in season-ending loss

Facing an Indians lineup with most of its regulars and the best part of its bullpen, the 2017 White Sox went quietly. Chris Volstad walked the first three batters he faced, and all of them came around to score to give Cleveland a quick 3-0 lead.

Volstad somehow rallied to throw a quality start, but the White Sox could only tally a Rob Brantly solo shot in return.

It was a quiet game overall, as the Indians only outhit the White Sox 5-4. Cleveland had the better of late scoring threats. Jace Fry had to strand Chris Beck’s loaded bases in the seventh, whereas when the Sox lucked into two on with two outs after an error and a walk for Jose Abreu’s spot in the order, Tyler Saladino was the one occupying it. Bryan Shaw struck him out on four pitches.

On the bright side, Moncada was the only White Sox to reach base twice — a ringing double and the aforementioned eighth-inning walk — and he was the only White Sox to avoid striking out. The other eight spot in the lineup fanned a total of 14 times, including Adam Engel’s silver sombero.

While the White Sox fell short of my 68-win prediction, the loss was ultimately beneficial. Paired with Cincinnati’s 3-1 victory over the Cubs, the White Sox slid ahead of the Reds for the fourth spot. Had both teams finished with the same win total, Cincinnati would have owned the tiebreaker.

Record: 67-95 | Box score