3 Stats That Prove the White Sox Are Legitimate World Series Contenders in 2022

The Chicago White Sox head into the 2022 MLB season with high hopes and will be aiming to win their second straight American League Central division title. Manager Tony La Russa is sure to have his roster full of talented ballplayers motivated to live up to the high expectations this summer.

In fact, the White Sox are tied for the third-best odds to take home the Commissioner's Trophy at +1100, according to FanDuel Sportsbook. Let's take a look at three stats that prove the team from the South Side of Chicago is a legitimate World Series contender.

White Sox World Series

1. 10.2 Strikeouts per 9 in 2021

The biggest thing the White Sox have going for them as Opening Day nears closer is the strength of their pitching core. Yes, the team lost Carlos Rodon to free agency this offseason. However, the starting rotation remains stacked with the likes of All-Stars Lance Lynn and Lucas Giolito leading the way. The White Sox finished seventh in the league in ERA last season (3.83) and topped the list when it came to strikeouts per nine innings pitched (10.2). Combine the rotation's star power with the depth of Chicago's bullpen and it's no wonder they are seen as a dangerous team in 2022.

2. .336 On-Base Percentage in 2021

The White Sox are commanding from a pitching perspective, but the team's efforts at the plate may be even more impressive. Chicago posted the third-best on-base percentage last season (.336) and return their entire starting lineup. That has to be scary for their opponents. La Russa's squad featured four players with more than 100 hits and six players with an OBP of over .300 in 2021. Everyone on this team is capable of coming up clutch in the late innings, showcased by the team's nine walk-off wins last season. That level of depth can take the White Sox as far as they want to go in the playoffs.

3. 71-40 Home Record Since 2020

It's hard to overlook just how important it is for an MLB squad to be dominant on their home field. Taking care of business at home not only boosts the momentum for the team, but it also gives the fan base something to be excited about. The White Sox have posted a home record of 71-40 since the start of the 2020 season, which ranks near the top of the American League. Shortstop Tim Anderson have been adamant that he plays better when feeding off the emotions of the crowd. Keeping up that success in 2022 will help the White Sox gain an edge over the rest of the AL Central.

Larry Rupp is not a FanDuel employee. In addition to providing DFS gameplay advice, Larry Rupp also participates in DFS contests on FanDuel using his personal account, username phillyfan424. While the strategies and player selections recommended in his articles are his personal views, he may deploy different strategies and player selections when entering contests with his personal account. The views expressed in their articles are the author's alone and do not necessarily reflect the views of FanDuel.