So you, the reader, are probably looking at the headline of this article and probably are thinking "That is one of the dumbest things I've ever heard." With that being said, it's hard to not blame you for feeling that way. It would be better with 82 games, heck, it would've been better had baseball been 162 games, but this pandemic has thrown everything out of whack. Despite this excruciating negotiations between the owners/Major League Baseball and the MLBPA (player's union), it would be understandable if you as the reader were so discouraged that you'd believe there will be no baseball this season. However, there will absolutely be baseball this year as both sides know if they can't agree to a deal that it's a lose-lose situation, the question is how many games will be played. There's been figures thrown out like 48 games, 50, 54, and just recently 72 and 89, but this article will focus more on the smaller numbers of 48-54 contests each club has to play. It's not ideal, but even the worst case scenario is better than none. So, with that in mind, the reason why this article was written was because of the possibilities that might happen in a 48-54 game season. It could absolutely be a fun one for the White Sox as it might even benefit this club. So, why would it be fun? Let's take a look why.
Deep Pitching
With expanded rosters, the focus the Sox will likely to be bringing in a lot of arms. No one knows how many players will be added to expanded rosters, but either way, the Sox are actually deep in pitching. Yes, there are the unknowns to factor in, but the front office seems to be confident they will succeed. Carlos Rodon and Michael Kopech are each coming back from injuries, so they'll be eased in with likely having to pitch out of the bullpen, but one thing they do have is a starter's arm. Both Rodon and Kopech have the durability to pitch multiple innings and go long, plus they can be spot starters or be "openers" saving some middle relief arms. Then there is the depth as they have so many options they can use in certain ways out of the bullpen. The middle relief options such as Jose Ruiz, Tayron Guerrero, Caleb Frare, Zack Burdi, Ian Hamilton, and possibly Jacob Lindgren, who were all fighting to win a spot in camp, will have a better chance of making the club in expanded rosters and could be utilized in certain matchups and to help save some arms. The club also have Adalberto Mejia, Bryan Mitchell, Ross Detwiler, and Drew Anderson who could be "openers" as well as be long relievers and if they can eat up innings, it benefits everyone so much. However, the more exciting possibility is Carson Fulmer as he could relish in the Jack-Of-All-Trades role as this shortened season could make him extremely valuable. Fulmer has the stuff to make him an excellent reliever and has an arm that is durable, so he could be used in so many different ways as he could spot start, be middle relief, close, set up, be a long reliever, and could be an "opener." So, in this shortened season, if rain occurs, then those games that are postponed have to be made up meaning doubleheaders. No one knows what will happen with the weather this season, but if for whatever reason there is a lot of doubleheaders, then the Sox will be okay when it comes to arms and it should help them in those games. Expanded rosters benefits every team in the league, but with the pitching the club has, it benefits them more than a lot of others ones.
Versatility, Power, And Defense On Bench
Like mentioned earlier, no one knows what the number of players will be for expanded rosters, it could be up to 50, but it also helps the Sox with their bench. The club has a lot of not only versatile players, but a lot of power. Danny Mendick was expected to make the club as the backup utility infielder, but expanded rosters helps him make the team regardless as he has some speed, pop in his bat, and good defensive skills. Mendick is the type of depth player you need on your squad. Yermin Mercedes, Gavin Sheets, Nicky Delmonico, and Zack Collins all provide power and could be used as pinch hitters in certain situations, but one thing they all have also is versatility as they all can play first base and be designated hitters. Delmonico could also play third base and in the corner outfield if needed, but his left handed pop would be crucial and there was a lot of chatter that he was the leading candidate to win the 26th spot out of camp, so expanded rosters would help him make the club regardless. Sheets would have a harder time finding playing time, but his power would be useful. Mercedes and Collins are also catchers, so that helps the depth there if there is any injuries, but they also could come into pinch hit against certain pitchers. Then there is decision the Sox have to make, should they start Leury Garcia or Nick Madrigal at second base. In this shortened season, it would stand to make sense to have Madrigal start as Garcia can play in a lot of different positions, has speed, and is a bat first type player. Other players like Jaycob Brugman, Adam Engel, Andrew Romine, Seby Zavala, and Cheslor Cuthbert could also be useful as Engel, Romine, and Brugman are all defensive first players and could be used in defensive replacement situations. Zavala can hit, though he struggled in 2019, but he is supposedly good behind the plate and it never hurts to have depth in catchers. Romine can play all over the field, literally, so that could come useful for the Sox. Finally, Cuthbert has MLB experience and play all over the infield with some pop in his bat and that could be helpful as well. Even if there is a taxi squad, this team has a lot of depth here.
Every Game Is Important
The best comparison that could be used is like College Football, every game matters too much. As everyone might know when watching College Football, the margin of error is just too small to lose. So, even if one team in a 48-54 game campaign goes on a small losing streak, that could doom their season making it almost entirely too hard to make up meaning even some of the best teams in the league might not only get a lower seed in the expanded playoffs, but might not even make the postseason at all. However, with all the factors mentioned above, manager Rick Renteria would have an advantage in a good amount of games played meaning the team could win a lot of those contests and make the playoffs. Even a big win streak would almost certainly clinch them a postseason berth. It just builds more excitement for every game and there will be a lot more drama.
So essentially, why a shortened season of 48-54 games would be a lot of fun is because of the drama it creates, excitement for fans in every game, and because of all the possibilities of how players will be used. Look, it's definitely not ideal and it's unpopular for good reasons. It would be better if the season was 82 games and those same factors above would still be valid especially with more than likely a lot of doubleheaders played. However, when looking at how a season that short would be played out, it makes things much more interesting, nerve racking, and exciting. Who is to complain about that? Remember, some baseball is better than none.
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