CENTRAL CASTING
Sox’ big week starts off with team in blockbuster trade talks
The White Sox are headed for a pivotal three days, and the next handful of hours might be especially intriguing as the trade deadline approaches.
Rookie Luis Robert ended the game Sunday in a pretty interesting way, too.
Robert’s walk-off, three-run home run in the 10th inning gave the Sox a 5-2 victory against the Royals that moved them into a first-place tie in the American League Central with the Indians heading into their series against the Twins in Minneapolis.
Robert said he couldn’t recall ever hitting a walk-off homer, but he notched his first when he got a hold of a slider by Tyler Zuber that landed next to the Sox’ bullpen in left field.
‘‘Just hitting a homer to win a game is very special,’’ Robert said through a translator. ‘‘But I still know that I have a lot of room to improve and keep learning this game, and I’m just going to keep working hard and doing whatever it takes to get better.’’
Robert’s homer was the Sox’ second walk-off in three days, following Yasmani Grandal’s moment Friday. The two dramatic finishes give the Sox added momentum heading into their series against the Twins.
‘‘Hopefully we can play good baseball, and, obviously, pulling those two out helps,’’ manager Rick Renteria said. ‘‘At the end of the day, I think you can take it one day at a time, though. We all know and recognize how important this upcoming series is. We have to take it a moment at a time.
‘‘If we can control our emotions and do the best that we possibly can to play good baseball, we give ourselves a chance to do what we need to do, which is try to win.’’
Shortstop Tim Anderson echoed that.
‘‘We’re definitely going into that series looking for a win and looking to go out and be dominant on both sides of the ball and continue to grow and continue to learn and continue to back our pitchers up and continue to just keep going,’’ Anderson said Saturday. ‘‘We’re definitely looking forward to it, and we’re going to come out with a lot of energy and just keep rallying around each other.’’
And the series against the Twins isn’t the only big thing on the horizon, given the trade deadline at 3 p.m. Monday.
There were multiple reports Sunday that the Sox were talking with the Indians about righthander Mike Clevinger. USA Today even reported outfielder Adam Engel and ‘‘perhaps’’ right-hander Michael Kopech might be involved in a potential deal.
Though it makes sense the Sox would want another starter — they also have been linked to the Angels’ Dylan Bundy, the Rangers’ Lance Lynn and the Diamondbacks’ Robbie Ray — Clevinger would be an eyebrowraising move. Intradivision trades between contending teams are rare, and Clevinger would command a hefty price even after he violated the Indians’ COVID-19 protocol when he left the team hotel in Chicago this month with teammate Zach Plesac.
Beyond the trade talk that comes with contending and the looming series against the Twins, the Sox won for the 11th time in their 13 games.
‘‘We’re not focused on the standings; we’re just competing and trying to do our best against each team because we are playing very good right now,’’ Robert said. ‘‘The confidence level is high, and we know what we can do. The next series is important, but it’s not going to change the way that we are playing right now.’’