Before the season, it was expected that the Chicago White Sox wouldn’t have many save opportunities for their relievers to convert. They were coming off three straight 100+ loss campaigns, including a 41-121 bottoming out in 2024. But the Sox have been one of the biggest surprises this season, checking in at 33-29, good for second place in the American League Central.
As a result, there have been plenty of save opportunities, and the man who has closed out the majority of them is former Phillie Seranthony Dominguez.
You likely remember Dominguez as the rookie who looked electric in his rookie season of 2018, only to lose effectiveness, and then ultimately over two years of his career thanks to a UCL injury. After his return, he showed flashes of his former dominating self, but there was too much inconsistency, and the Phillies ultimately shipped him to Baltimore at the 2024 trade deadline.
He served as the Orioles closer down the stretch and while he converted ten saves, he gave up a decent number of runs. He was used in a setup role for 2025 until the Orioles traded him to the Blue Jays at the deadline.
After serving as a setup reliever for the Jays, he signed a two-year deal with the Sox in the offseason and was established as their closer. Results have been mixed: While he has eleven saves, he’s also blown three chances, and his FIP is at 5.22. Basically, he’s the same guy he was for the Phillies: He can look dominating for much of the time, but there will be games when he looks incapable of retiring a batter.
Hating on the White Sox
There’s not much of a rivalry between the Phillies and the White Sox with only 28 games played between them all time, and I’m having trouble remembering any that were particularly memorable. (Oddly, five of the 28 have gone to extra innings, including all three games in 2013.)
But you know what? Screw the White Sox.
The White Sox used to be cool. They had iconic uniforms, with their hats being worn by famous rappers, and as a result became really popular with suburban white kids.
However, that coolness never really translated to the on-field product, because they rarely make the playoffs (since somehow winning the 2005 World Series, they’ve made the postseason just three times) and will be forever known as Chicago’s “other team.”
The White Sox could have beaten Camden Yards in kicking off the retro trend with their stadium but instead built perhaps the most boring stadium ever. (Though Nationals Park would have a word.) They were “fortunate” enough to find a corporate sponsor that matches the stadium’s vibe, because Rate Field sounds like it should be hosting adult league games, not a Major League Baseball franchise.
You know a franchise is down bad when they start retiring the numbers of players like Paul Konerko and Mark Buerhle. Admittedly, I’m a retired number elitist who thinks the honor should be reserved for iconic, all-time greats, but when you start hanging the numbers of “Hall of Very Good” players, it feels like it cheapens the honor. Frank Thomas should have his number retired; Konerko should be on the Wall of Fame or whatever equivalent they have.
Trivia
Last week’s answer: The Phillies recorded one hit off of Roki Sasaki in the 2025 NLDS. World War II buffs will appreciate the irony that the one hit was off the bat of Max Kepler. 7redseven was correct.
This week’s question: The first ever Phillies vs. White Sox game was played on June 18, 2002 and saw the White Sox prevail 6-3 in 12 innings. What future Phillie delivered the go-ahead hit in the 12th?
Additional thought about the series
Are you sure we can’t get any more games against the Padres?
The schedule makers say no, so the Phillies will see if their recent strong play can be duplicated against a different opponent. The good news is that different opponent is missing its best offensive player.
Much of the Sox’ success has been fueled by rookie Munetake Murakami who is on the IL with a hamstring strain. The Japanese import made a huge early splash, prompting several Phillies fans to ask why the Phillies didn’t pursue him to replace Alec Bohm at third base.
The Phillies reportedly did pursue him, but the biggest problem – aside from Japanese players apparently hating Philadelphia – is that he’s probably not a major league quality defender at third base. The Sox have had him exclusively at first base and designated hitter, and the Phillies have players already entrenched at those positions. There were also questions about how well his Japanese league numbers would translate, but he’s had no problem adjusting to major league pitching so far.
Since he’s on the IL, there will be little opportunity for irate Phillies fans to question why they didn’t sign him. Then again, if Alec Bohm continues to hit into double plays at a prodigious rate, those questions still might get asked.