Relive the five best White Sox wins of '19

CHICAGO -- There were some big victories for the 2019 White Sox amid their 10-win increase from a 100-loss season in '18. But in running alongside their overall rebuild, those special moments showed something for the future as much as they meant present excitement.

Here’s a look at the five best wins from the White Sox for ’19 and what those wins tell us about 2020.

1) Moncada ties it, Abreu walks off to sweep doubleheader
July 3 vs. Tigers (Game 2), 9-6 victory

The White Sox completed a home doubleheader sweep of the Tigers, improving to 41-42 at the time, but not without a few Game 2 heroics. Yoán Moncada homered off of then-closer Shane Greene in the bottom of the 10th with one out to tie the game, and José Abreu delivered the walk-off, three-run blast off of Nick Ramirez with two outs in the 12th.

What does it tell us about 2020?
Abreu is back with the White Sox for at least the ’20 season, much to the elation of his teammates, fans and the organization. But he no longer has to be their primary offensive weapon, let alone their lone offensive weapon. Abreu has a knack for driving in runs, but other players, such as Moncada, should be just as prolific if not more so.

2) Jiménez gives the Cubs regret
June 18 at Cubs, 3-1 victory

Acquiring Eloy Jiménez, along with right-handed starter Dylan Cease, from the Cubs as part of the José Quintana deal should go down as a seminal moment in the White Sox rebuild. To add to the legacy, Jiménez connected off reliever Pedro Strop for a two-run homer with nobody out in the ninth to give the White Sox a victory at Wrigley Field. Jiménez's drive would have left the ballpark if not for breaking his bat upon contact.

What does it tell us about 2020?
If Jiménez stays healthy, he’s going to be a star. His 25 RBIs in September ranked second in the Majors to go with his nine home runs and 1.093 OPS. He finished with 31 homers to lead all AL rookies, and much like this clout at Wrigley, most were no-doubters. His defense might not be Gold Glove Award caliber, but he will be a dynamic middle of the order presence.

3) Giolito looks like an ace
May 23 at Astros; Aug. 21 at Twins, both 4-0 victories

Giolito was so good overall in ’19, finishing tied for 6th in the American League Cy Young Award voting, he gets two top wins rolled into one. It’s difficult to separate the road shutouts against the AL champions and the AL Central champs, respectively, because he really gave no chance to either potent lineup. Giolito held the Astros to just four hits, with nine strikeouts and one walk, while limiting the Twins to just three hits while striking out 12 with no walks.

What does it tell us about 2020?
Last season represented only just the successful beginning in Giolito’s mind. He doesn’t have to figure out a new routine this offseason as he did with such fervor last winter but simply hone what has already worked. As the White Sox strive to improve their rotation through free agency or trade, they know a No. 2 or possibly No. 1 starter already is part of their roster.

4) Anderson flips for a walk-off
April 26 vs. Tigers, 12-11 victory

Tim Anderson had a more notorious bat flip during a breakout season where he raised his average from .240 to .335 and was the AL batting champion. But his celebratory javelin toss of the bat toward the White Sox dugout after this walk-off homer against Joe Jiménez had the most meaning. Anderson helped the White Sox complete the rally from 8-1 and 10-4 deficits.

What does it tell us about 2020?
Moncada is the team’s best overall hitter. Abreu is the team’s mentor. Jiménez is the fun and joy of the team. But Anderson is this group’s heart and soul. He gives them an edge, something noticeably missing while Anderson was sidelined from June 26 to July 29 with a high right ankle sprain.

5) López near hitless
Sept. 5 at Indians, 7-1 victory

It was an overall forgettable season for Reynaldo López, whose 110 earned runs allowed were the worst in all of baseball and whose 5.38 ERA ranked second worst among 61 qualifiers. But those struggles didn’t prevent this absolute gem thrown against the red-hot Indians. López allowed a two-out run-scoring double to Kevin Plawecki in the second and nothing else, as he fanned 11 in this complete-game one-hitter. That double sailed over the head of right fielder Ryan Goins, who is an infielder by trade.

What does it tell us about 2020?
An abundance of raw talent exists for López. It’s really all about the mound focus for the right-hander. He will get a chance to prove himself as a starter again in ’20, and the White Sox still believe in him. But López has to pitch closer to this start or the bulk of his ’18 effort in order to stay a part of the rotation.