A day after Justin Verlander flirted with a no-hitter and struck out 12, the White Sox (21-26) will get another attempt at beating the mighty Houston Astros (33-16, best record and run differential in the majors). Tonight, the White Sox will face ... another really good pitcher. Dang.
Gerrit Cole enters with a 3.56 ERA, 2.72 FIP, and 2.32 xFIP. He will most likely miss a lot of bats tonight, as his K/9 rate is sensational (13.8). Last year, it was a slightly less amazing 12.4, but that was still enough to lead all qualified starting pitchers. Verlander got the most swings and misses of any pitcher in a single game this season last night (28). Let’s hope this will not be the second straight game where an Astros pitcher sets a 2019 record in that category.
Squaring off against Cole will be Iván Nova, who has a 7.42 ERA, 5.56 FIP, and 4.79 xFIP while sporting a 6.0 K/9. Tonight’s game seems to be another big mismatch, but hey, you never know with baseball.
Here are today’s starting lineups:
Tonight's #WhiteSox starters! pic.twitter.com/zKuhqyqFN8
— Chicago White Sox (@whitesox) May 22, 2019
DailyRoto Lineup Alert: Astros
— DailyRoto News (@dailyrotonews) May 22, 2019
1. RF Josh Reddick (L)
2. 3B Alex Bregman (R)
3. LF Michael Brantley (L)
4. SS Carlos Correa (R)
5. 2B Aledmys Diaz (R)
6. 1B Tyler White (R)
7. DH Tony Kemp (L)
8. C Robinson Chirinos (R)
9. CF Jake Marisnick (R)https://t.co/MRx1sKcr7b
This morning, the White Sox announced that Thyago Vieira will rejoin the 25-man roster.
— Chicago White Sox (@whitesox) May 22, 2019
Vieira will replace José Ruiz, 24, who was sent down after last night’s loss. Ruiz has a 5.11 ERA, 6.73 FIP, and 7.06 xFIP in 12 1⁄3 innings in the majors this year.
Tonight’s game is at 7:10 CST and will be televised on WGN. It will be audible on WGN 720.