Considering a best bet for the Chicago White Sox 2020 win total

Don’t sleep on the Chicago White Sox! It’s a sentiment many have yet to discover and few have already embraced. This was a busy offseason for a team that won only 72 games last season, which was good for third in the American League Central. Since then, they made major improvements not only to their lineup but the rotation as well. Let’s dive into what’s been an exciting offseason for a team that’s been struggling for much of the past decade.

Additions

SP Dallas Keuchel
SP Gio Gonzalez
RP Steve Cishek
C Yasmani Grandal
OF Nomar Mazaro
DH Edwin Encarnacion

Subtractions

SP Ivan Nova
C Welington Castillo

Offseason news

The White Sox made a big splash right out of the gate, scooping up Yasmani Grandal just weeks after the World Series concluded. Despite having an All Star catcher already in James McCann, the White Sox picked up an elite, power-hitting, pitch framing player. During his time with the Brewers last season, Grandal slashed .246/.389/468 with 28 home runs and 77 RBI. The team still retained McCann, who’ll take a backup role at a $5.4 million salary. Nonetheless, it set the tone for a White Sox offseason that brought more big named moves through the winter.

A few weeks later, the White Sox were involved in a trade that brought them OF Nomar Mazara from the Rangers. He’s a left-handed bat that hit 20 home runs in three of his four seasons and will be under team control for at least the next two seasons. He’ll join Eloy Jimenez and Luis Robert in what should be a talented and young outfield for years to come.

Before the calendar turned to 2020, the White Sox brought in two pitchers for their rotation. First, they signed Gio Gonzalez on a one-year deal with a club option in 2021. Then, they signed former Cy Young winner Dallas Keuchel to a three-year deal with a club option in 2023. Keuchel could really shine with the White Sox in the cozy Guaranteed Rate Field after boasting a 60% ground ball rate with the Braves last season through 19 starts. Adding these two starters with Lucas Giolito instantly improves the White Sox rotation in a division that is really lacking in starters overall.

Finally, the White Sox added one more bat and a solid reliever with Edwin Encarnacion and Steve Cishek. Encarnacion will occupy the DH position and brings his massive power to a lineup that has the potential for at least three players with 30+ home runs already. With the Mariners and Yankees last season, Encarnacion belted 34 home runs and knocked in 86. While he is getting up there in age, as he’ll be 37 when the season begins, his role as a DH should help dispel father time a bit longer.

Best bet

While a lot of focus will be on the Twins and Indians, the White Sox are not a team to ignore. Even with all the moves that were made, the White Sox win total on DraftKings Sportsbook sits at 83.5. This just seems way too low for me. The Royals and Tigers will not be competitive once again and the Indians could realistically become sellers if a slow start ensues. Francisco Lindor has been constantly mentioned in trade rumors and his removal could trigger a domino effect within the organization. Leaving just the Twins to battle in the division, the White Sox truly have an opportunity to flourish. With that in mind, I’m taking the over on their win total of 83.5, as I think they easily exceed that total.

Chicago White Sox OVER 83.5 wins

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