Stephen Nickrand and Ron Shandler:
Chicago White Sox pitcher Gavin Floyd quietly has become one of the game’s most effective starting pitchers in the second half. He has an 8.1 K/9 and 4.1 K/BB since July 1. In fact, his skills after July 1 are twice as good as they were earlier in the year. The missing piece for Floyd is being able to pitch effectively on the road. He has a 2.47 ERA and strong skills at home, compared with a 5.36 ERA and weaker skills on the road.
If Jake Peavy is healthy next year, the White Sox’s rotation will be very deep, leaving Floyd with little pressure to anchor it. If he can sustain the skill growth he has shown late this year, Floyd could team with Peavy to give the White Sox one of the most potent one-two punches in the American League.
