Gamethread: Cleveland at White Sox

The White Sox’s first five-game winning streak since April 2017 came to an end yesterday, as Cleveland (29-29) knocked them off by a score of 5-2. The White Sox (28-30) look to start a new streak, and they will have the right guy on the mound. Perhaps the most improved player of 2019 will start today, as Lucas Giolito enters with a 2.85 ERA. Giolito also has a 2.86 FIP and a 3.81 xFIP to go along with 2.1 WAR, which leads the team, according to Fangraphs.

On the mound for Cleveland will be Zach Plesac. Plesac, 24, was Cleveland’s 12th round draft pick in 2016. He made his major league debut on May 28 against the Red Sox. In his debut, Plesac pitched 5 ¹⁄₃ innings and allowed only one run on four hits.

On Saturday, the White Sox managed only four hits, but two of them were from Eloy Jiménez. Jiménez has been hitting better lately, as he is 5-for-11 with two doubles and a walk in the last three games.

Here are today’s starting lineups:

Before today’s game, the White Sox announced that Luis Robert had been awarded White Sox Minor League Player of the Month for May. This is his second consecutive time earning the monthly honor. The team also announced that Kyle Kubat was named Minor League Pitcher of the Month. Congratulations to these players on their accomplishments.

Also in minor league news, Kade McClure, 23, earned a promotion from Kannapolis to Winston-Salem. In 55 ¹⁄₃ innings, McClure, has a 3.09 ERA, 3.30 FIP, and 3.68 xFIP this season with Kannapolis.