Runners have ‘definitely got the advantage,’ but Chicago White Sox catcher Yasmani Grandal is working to stop them
The Chicago White Sox knew they’d be tested facing a team on the go like the Baltimore Orioles.
The Orioles entered the weekend series at Guaranteed Rate Field with 19 stolen bases — a franchise record through 13 games — and had been caught only once.
The Sox nabbed them once Saturday, a “pivotal” moment according to manager Pedro Grifol in his team’s 7-6 extra-innings win.
Sox starter Michael Kopech struck out Cedric Mullins in the fifth inning, and catcher Yasmani Grandal fired to second to throw out Jorge Mateo, who was attempting to swipe the bag.
“I know they stole one bag (Saturday), but that caught stealing was a big part of the ballgame,” Grifol said. “That double play right there was a big part of the game, if not the biggest.”
The Sox didn’t have to contend with any type of running game Monday as their scheduled game against the Philadelphia Phillies was postponed because of a forecast of high winds and cold temperatures.
It will be made up as part of a straight doubleheader beginning at 3:10 p.m. Tuesday at Guaranteed Rate Field. Lance Lynn is scheduled to start the first game, with Zack Wheeler on the mound for the Phillies. The Game 2 starters will be Lucas Giolito for the Sox and Bailey Falter for the Phillies.
The second game will begin about 30 to 45 minutes after the opener ends but not before 6:10. Parking lots and gates will open at 2:10.
While the Phillies don’t run anywhere close to the rate of the Orioles — they have 10 stolen bases — the Sox are well aware teams are always on the lookout for taking the next base.
“We’ve seen throughout the whole league, stolen bases have been up,” Grandal said Sunday. “We certainly get a better idea of what it takes to throw a guy out at second. It’s not only the catcher.
“There are a lot of things that go into it. It’s times to the plate. It’s pitch location. Is the guy swinging or not? How fast can you tag a guy? Where are you tagging a guy? There’s so many variables that go into throwing a guy out.
“And then you’ve got guys that have elite speed out there, that take huge jumps. A lot of those guys, you are better off just putting it in your back pocket. You don’t want to give up a free base, not only us, but I think everybody is working on it.”
According to an ESPN.com article that published Friday, the rate of steals per game (0.69) is the highest since 1999. The Sox are 13-for-13 on stolen-base attempts. Rule changes, such as limiting the number of disengagements, were put in place with seeing more running in mind.
Grandal said “everybody” put more emphasis on slowing down the running game starting in spring training. He has a 20% caught stealing percentage (3 of 15), which is above the league average of 15%, according to baseball-reference.com.
“We knew as a catching group, we had to do a really good job at getting the ball out of our hands as fast as possible,” Grandal said. “As a pitching group, we knew we had to better our times, we had to make sure the guy wasn’t getting a big lead or he’s not getting a walking lead — I guess you’d say a hopping lead now because everybody’s just hopping out there. Understanding counts, understanding when it is that they’re running, when they’re not running, little things like that.
“There’s a lot of variables. And to throw out an elite guy at first base that’s stealing, all those things (have) got to come into play. They’ve definitely got the advantage.”
Overall, Grandal said he feels “great” physically behind the plate after an offseason that included working with Blackhawks strength and conditioning coach Paul Goodman.
“I’m definitely moving way better,” he said. “Blocking is definitely improved. Throws down to second have definitely improved. The receiving is improved. Started off on a good note, so hopefully can start building off of that.”
