Eventually, the 2021 Topps Chrome Platinum Anniversary was released in June 2022. It was supposed to be released in 2021 to celebrate the company’s 70th anniversary. But, it was delayed for a while. Well, better late than never. I never saw this product before and I would like to see whether there’s something interesting in this series.
I went to a sports card shop and I got some hobby lite packs. In each hobby lite box, it doesn’t guarantee any hits. However, an autograph card is guaranteed in each hobby box.
After opening some packs, I found a Green/Yellow 70th Anniversary Refractor card. It’s a Matt Foster rookie card. I quickly checked the stats on the back of the card, it showed that Matt Foster had pitched well in the 2020 season. And, I was wondering whether he’s been pitching well these two seasons. So, I went to check on his stats on the MLB website.
Matt Foster was selected by the White Sox in the 20th round of the 2016 draft. He made his MLB debut in 2020 and finished his rookie season with a 2.20 ERA and a 0.87 WHIP in 28.2 innings. He had a pretty good start in 2020, but, in 2021, his ERA went up to 6.00. Moreover, his WHIP was 1.44. Foster only tossed 39 innings last year and he was optioned to the minors several times. This season, Foster made 48 relief appearances and now he has a 4.40 ERA and a 1.33 WHIP over 45 innings.
Matt Foster already tossed 45 innings, which is the 6th most among the White Sox relievers. And, I’m also wondering whether the White Sox bullpen has done a great job since 2020.
In each of the last 2 seasons, the White Sox bullpen posted an ERA below 4. In the shortened 2020 season, the White Sox relievers owned a 3.76 ERA, which was the 7th among 30 MLB teams. But, the number went up a little bit last year. However, the White Sox relievers owned a 1.25 WHIP in 2020 and 2021 each. Interestingly, a 1.25 WHIP ranked 7th each year. Furthermore, against the White Sox relievers, opponents hit .228 in 2020 and batted .233 in 2021. By far this season, the White Sox bullpen has an ERA over 4 and a 1.33 WHIP. Meanwhile, batting average against the White Sox relievers is .245 thus far. Batting average against the White Sox bullpen goes up a little bit this year. Moreover, a .245 BAA ranks 23rd among the bullpens of all 30 MLB teams.
The White Sox won 35 games in the shortened 2020 season. They finished 2nd in the AL Central and clinched a playoff spot. Last season, the White Sox earned 93 wins and clinched the AL Central. Unfortunately, they lost to the Astros in the ALDS. By far, the White Sox have a winning percentage of .500 and now they are 3rd in the AL Central. With one month remaining in the 2022 season, it’s still possible for the White Sox to clinch a playoff spot. Nonetheless, the White Sox bullpen isn’t as good as it was over the last two years. That is something needed to improve.
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