White Sox starter Shane Smith allowed 3 runs and walked 5 in 3 2/3 innings. Mets right-hander Griffin Canning (5-2) gave up 5 runs — 3 earned — while walking 4 in 3 innings.
Benintendi singled home Tauchman and Miguel Vargas one pitch after Vargas’ one-out double in the first.
Vargas has doubled in five straight games, the longest stretch by a White Sox player since Adam Dunn in May 2011.
Through the team interpreter, Robert stated, “As my season is going, I don’t think anybody is going to take a chance on me right now.” “I simply concentrate on trying to improve. There is nothing else that comes to mind.
Over the past two seasons, Robert’s performance has drastically decreased. He made his first appearance on the All-Star team in 2023, hitting.264/.315/.542 with 38 home runs, 36 doubles, and an OPS+ of 130.
But in 2024, when he played 100 games due to injuries, his stats drastically declined: he had a.224/.278/.379 slash line, 14 home runs, 19 doubles, and an 86 OPS+. This year, his performance has been worse.
Merkin was informed by Robert that he is attempting to regain his All-Star status.
Every day, I strive to be that player. I do everything in my power to be that player. If at the end of the day the results aren’t there, that is something I can’t control,” said Robert. “Everyone here puts in a lot of effort to achieve the outcomes each day. You definitely feel a little depressed when you put in a lot of effort and the results aren’t there.
Robert is leading MLB in stolen bases (17), playing defense of Gold Glove quality, and displaying better plate discipline despite his offensive difficulties. He is pursuing strikes out of the zone just 29% of the time and walking 11.7% of the time, both of which are career highs.
“There have been a few times when I’ve been able to do that, especially with the season that I’ve been having at the plate, but that’s something that I enjoy and like I said before, I try to help my team in any way I can,” Robert explained. “I’ve been stealing a lot of bases just because I have that ability and just trying to make the most of the chances that are on the bases.”
Robert was largely seen as a top trade candidate entering into the year, despite his dismal 2024 season. His deal contains $20 million club options each for 2026 and 2027. If he was performing like he did in 2023, it would be a no-brainer for postseason teams to deal for Robert, but now, with the White Sox holding onto him for too long, he seems to be a sunken cost.
