White Sox: Jose Quintana Needs Strong Finish to 2016 Season
White Sox All-Star pitcher hasn’t had successful September, will face Indians on Saturday night vying for 13th win. With two starts remaining, the left-handed pitcher has chance to finish season strong.
The Chicago White Sox will attempt to avoid going to 10 games under .500 as they face the Indians on Saturday night. Starting for the Sox will be Jose Quintana, who is coming off a start against the Royals where he lasted just four innings.
In his previous start, Quintana pitched four innings and gave up six earned runs to the Royals. This was Quintana’s shortest start of the season, and perhaps his worst. However, Quintana has struggled in the month of September overall.
Quintana’s ERA in September is 6.85 through four starts. The All-Star pitcher started the month with a short outing against the Twins on Sept .1. In that start, Quintana pitched five innings while giving up seven earned runs against Minnesota. Quintana’s next start against the Tigers on Sept. 7 was marginally better. He pitched 6.2 innings and gave up just four earned runs against Detroit.
Although Quintana has struggled this month, the Sox have a 2-2 record in his four starts. Quintana’s best start in September so far came against the Indians on Sept. 13. In the start, Quintana pitched eight innings while giving up one earned run against Cleveland. Quintana will look to turn his month around on Saturday night against the Indians.
This could be the game where Quintana can start to finish his season on strong note. In his career, Quintana is 6-3 against the Indians in 18 career starts with a 2.58 ERA. This is Quintana’s best record against any division team in his career. If Quintana is going to have a strong finish to his season, it could very well start on Saturday night.
Last season Quintana had a 4.14 ERA in five starts during the last month of the 2015 season. Quintana might not be able to surpass that ERA from the final month of last season, but he still can have a strong finish to this season.
Quintana will need to have a solid outing against the Indians, who are looking to inch closer to an AL Central division championship. If Quintana can have a strong finish to this season, it could possibly set up positive momentum for him going into 2017. It could also improve his trade value, if the Sox opt to rebuild in the offseason
More from Southside Showdown
This article originally appeared on 
