Series has lost luster
‘Rivalry’ has turned one-sided; losing Dempster-sale matchup a downer
$All games on 720-AM, 670-AM, 97.5-FM. tear running down his cheek in memory of the overrated Kerry Wood hanging up his Cubbie blues.
What did happen was the Sox went into Wrigley Field, swept the series, outscored the Cubs 16-6 and left with a .500 record. They went on to win nine of their next 10 games, taking over first place in the division.
And don’t believe that the sweep fired up the Sox. The Cubs simply were standing in the way of progress.
It isn’t all bad, though. Each team has a pitcher worthy of appearing in the All-Star Game.
Dempster (3-3, 2.11 ERA) has been magnificent, despite receiving very little run support. The right-hander has won three starts in a row while throwing 22 consecutive scoreless innings.
Then there’s Sale (8-2, 2.46), the “it’’ kid in the American League. The southpaw was the AL pitcher of the month in May, going 4-1 with a 1.71 ERA.
Had the Sox not altered their rotation, Dempster and Sale would have squared off Wednesday. That would have given Cubs-Sox some juice, and it might not have been the only time they met this season. Imagine Dempster vs. Sale to start the Midsummer Classic in Kansas City. They have the numbers to make it happen.
But Sox manager Robin Ventura isn’t putting his rotation back to make that happen at the Cell. Cubs-Sox just isn’t what it used to be.
RIP crosstown series. We knew you well.