White Sox Release 2017 Schedule, Opens Season at Home

White Sox 2017 schedule released on Wednesday. The South Siders will open the season at home, enjoy four off days in first month.

The Chicago White Sox released its 2017 season schedule along with every other MLB team on Wednesday. With another season without the postseason, Sox fans will have to hope for better results next season.

After starting the last two seasons on the road, the Sox will open the season at Guaranteed Rate Field on April 2 against the Detroit Tigers. The Sox will enjoy four off days in April, a stark contrast to the two off days they had this past April. Although the Sox will begin the season at home, they will be tested early in the AL Central division.

The Sox will play two series at home to start the season against the Tigers and Twins. After the six game homestand, the Sox will travel to Cleveland for the Indians home opener on April 9. The Sox will then face the Twins at Target Field beginning on April 14. These contests will be part of a nine-game road trip for the Sox concluding against the Yankees. The Sox finish April with a six-game homestand against the Indians and Royals, and then face the Tigers on the road.

This season, the Sox had just six games in April against the divisional opponents. Those came against the Indians and Twins. However, the Sox did start the season 23-10 in large part to not playing many games against the division. In fact, the Sox only have a losing record against divisional opponents this season.

If the Sox are going to contend in the AL Central next season, they’re going to need another hot start similar to this season. Only this time, the end result must be better. The Sox began to fade in May this season, and they won’t have an easy May in 2017. They will nine game against the division, including a total of 17 road games. This will include two four-game series against the Royals and Mariners.

The Sox will potentially play 29 road games compared to 24 home games by the start of June. This will undoubtedly be a major test for the Sox. If they’re going to have any chance of being a contender, they will have play better on the road. The Sox are currently 30-42 this season in road games.

With the Sox facing the NL East in interleague play this season, they will face the NL West in 2017. After a three game series against the Twins, the Sox will welcome the Padres to Chicago on May 12. The Sox will face the Diamondbacks on the road in a three-game series beginning May 23. This will be the final series of a nine-game road trip for the Sox. The Sox will also face the Rockies on the road in a series before the All-Star break beginning July 7.

The Sox will play the Dodgers on the road and at home for a total of four games. Both teams will play a two-game series starting on July 18, and then the Sox will play the Dodgers in Los Angeles beginning August 17. The Sox will play the Giants at home in a three game series beginning September 8.

With the Sox facing the NL West, this will mean they face the Cubs in four games instead of six for the second consecutive season. The crosstown series between the Cubs and Sox will start at Wrigley Field on July 24. The series will then switch to Guaranteed Rate Field on July 26. This is really sad news for fans of both teams as they can admit the series is much better when its six games.

The Sox will play 12 games at home in each month from April through June. As the calendar turns to July, the Sox will play 13 or more home games each month to end the season. The most games the Sox will play at home will be 17 in September next season. The Sox will have two tough road trips in the second half of 2017 in August and September.

In August, the Sox will play six road games against the Dodgers and Rangers. For September, the Sox will perhaps have their toughest road trip as they face the Royals, Tigers and Astros. If the Sox are vying a playoff spot at that time, that could be a pivotal road trip.

The Sox will finish 2017 on the road with a three game series against the Indians beginning September 29. When looking at next season’s schedule, its not hard to notice the Sox will have to get off to another strong start in 2017. This time, can the team remain in contention for the entire season?