This upcoming stretch for the White Sox is possibly going to make it or break it for their playoff hopes as this will be the toughest during the 2022 season. Losing their shortstop and vocal leader Tim Anderson to an injury right before this important stretch will hurt tremendously and a major inconvenience before playing as hard and crucial part of the schedule, but if they can get through it with roughly a .500 record, then there’s still a chance though they should strive for for better. Otherwise, there is a chance that this team that once had championship aspirations could be sellers at the trade deadline.
Six games vs. Toronto Blue Jays (home and away)
The Blue Jays might be one of the most exciting teams in baseball as they are youthful, but already have loads of star power including Vladimir Guerrero Jr and Bo Bichette. These guys can absolutely slug the ball and has a deep pitching staff that can give any lineup some fits. This will be arguably the hardest part of the stretch, but a split by the Pale Hose would be ideal.
Three games at Tampa Bay Rays
The Rays just know how to win, especially playing in a deep and difficult American League East. They’re not overly talented with the bats, but they know how to manufacture runs and are very smart at it too. If they get a lead, then the pitching staff is what will hurt any team to comeback as the Rays have some outstanding arms and solid relievers. Winning at least one game is key here, but would be ideal if the Sox could win two.
Three games vs. Los Angeles Dodgers
Dodgers are arguably the deepest club in all of Major League Baseball and how could they not be considering their run in the playoffs the last decade or so, despite winning one championship. Mentioned before, depth is something Los Angeles has been able to boast the last few years making them especially hard to beat. The Dodgers have one of the best players in baseball in Mookie Betts, but also have super talented young hitters in Gavin Lux, Cody Bellinger, and Will Smith and also boast veterans in Freddie Freeman and Justin Turner. The pitching is also incredibly deep with one of the best pitchers in Walker Buehler, along with Julio Urias and Tony Gonsolin, plus a deep bullpen. Obviously winning two games here could help the Sox greatly, but one would be ok.
Three games vs Texas Rangers
Texas is a very talented side that could be a contender soon, but this is a series the Pale Hose would need to win to show that they are a serious contender. The Rangers boast an old friend in Dane Dunning in the rotation as well as an underachieving, but highly regarded pitcher in Jon Gray. The offense was supposed to be great with the additions of Corey Seager and Marcus Semien, but Semien has struggled this year and Seager is putting up some underwhelming numbers. This is a series the Sox should be able to win.
Three games at Detroit Tigers
Division games are ultimately very important if you want to go to the postseason and the White Sox have not been doing that as they have a 7-12 record against the AL Central. So this series against the Tigers is absolutely crucial. On the bright side for the Pale Hose is that they have a winning record on the road at 12-10, but playing in Comerica Park is very tough and that will be especially true for a struggling Sox offense as that is a pitcher’s park. Tigers are not a very good team, so a series win here is crucial.
Three games at Houston Astros
A rematch of last year’s ALDS, Houston is back to doing what they do best and they win a lot of games. While they lost Carlos Correa in free agency, the Astros still boast a lot of sluggers on their squad such as Jose Altuve, Yuli Gurriel, Alex Bregman, and Michael Brantley, but that isn’t even naming some other big names that makes the lineup so deep. The rotation is also very good despite losing Lance McCullers to injury, but with Luis Garcia, Jose Urquidy, and Framber Valdez there, then the Astros will be fine including getting back future hall of famer Justin Verlander from missing last season. Avoiding being swept here is going to be a tall task.
Four games vs. Baltimore Orioles
Baltimore is absolutely brutal to watch as they have been tanking for a few seasons now, but there is a lot of talent coming up through the system and they could be a force soon. With the promotion of ultra talented and promising young catcher Adley Rutschman, it could be fun what he might become in watching this series. Not much else to say about the Orioles despite other talented players in Ryan Mountcastle, Austin Hays, Trey Mancini, and Cedric Mullins. Another series win would be needed here.
Three games at Los Angeles Angels
Seemingly the Pale Hose can never win out in the West, but playing the Angels will be especially tough. Los Angeles is finally looking like a playoff contender in what is looking more and more like an easier division in the AL West. With two of the best players in baseball in their lineup with Mike Trout and Shohei Ohtani, it's hard to not think why they are in playoff contention, but it’s been more or less from how good the rotation is. That being said, when looking deeper into their numbers, the Angels are still very flawed and it’s still a very winnable series for the Sox.
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