Gamethread: Mariners at White Sox

The White Sox are undefeated at home in 2019. After grinding out an exciting 10-8 win in the Home Opener yesterday, they look to keep it going this afternoon in the second game against the Mariners.

Lucas Giolito opened his season with a bang in Kansas City, as he took a no-hitter into the seventh inning. After walking the first opposing hitter on four pitches, he retired the next 19 hitters he faced. The Royals finally managed three hits off Giolito in the seventh, but his ending line was still terrific: 6 ²⁄₃ innings, three hits, two runs (both earned), one walk, and eight strikeouts.

Giolito will be squaring up against 31-year old right-hander Mike Leake. In his first start, the ten-year veteran allowed two runs on seven hits in six innings of work.

The teams will line up this way:

Yoan Moncada enters this game as the majors’ leading hitter by wRC+ (311). He is slashing a ridiculous .458/.519/.875. It has not been such an easy start for rookie Eloy Jiménez, though he has only had 26 plate appearances (.167/.231/.167 slash line).

We received a bit of news about pitcher Ervin Santana, who will most likely be the #5 starter in the rotation.

Even with the loss yesterday, the Mariners have the best record in the American League (7-2). The White Sox enter at 3-3 and are seeking their third consecutive victory. The first three-game win streak for the 2018 White Sox happened from April 26-28 (games 22-24). The game will be available on WGN 720 and viewable on WGN.