After yesterday’s well-pitched ballgame from both sides of the equation, your Chicago White Sox are on the pursuit to tip that equilibrium in favor of themselves.
In order to get the job done, Reynaldo López will have to look inside himself and find what we know he has: the ability to pitch well and strike some batters out. ReyLo has struggled this season; he’s 3-6, holds a 6.62 ERA, and owns a -0.9 WAR. He has gone three straight starts giving up at least 5 runs, two walks, and has averaged four-and-a-third innings pitched. He faces a struggling Kansas City Royals lineup, so it’s time for one or the other to breakthrough. For our sake, I hope López can pitch one of his best games of the season — rivaling his 14 strikeout game against the Detroit Tigers on April 28.
The Royals hope to find their spark by putting Glenn Sparkman on the mound. Sparkman (1-1, 3.77 ERA) has had an up-and-down season as well. Between relieving and starting, consistency is not a part of his game plan. On May 29, he started for the Royals against the South Siders. He lasted one inning, while giving up four runs. He’ll have to find a way to last longer on the mound if he wants to give his ball club a fighting chance.
The Good Guys in Black plan to wreak havoc against the Royals by lining up as follows:
Today's #WhiteSox starters! pic.twitter.com/U9D251Pd5O
— Chicago White Sox (@whitesox) June 9, 2019
Yonder Alonso remains on the bench, so James McCann fills in the DH spot, and I am here for it! McClutch bats cleanup, and Eloy Jiménez — providing the only offense in yesterday’s affair via a two-run home run — bats right behind James in the fifth spot. If Tim Anderson’s bat was before Welington Castillo’s, I would call this a pretty decent lineup.
As for the Royal Crowns, Ned Yost will have them bat in the following way:
Another matinee to wrap up the series against the White Sox.#AlwaysRoyal pic.twitter.com/iNgPZjMaJD
— Kansas City Royals (@Royals) June 9, 2019
The top third of the order is lethal with Whit Merrifield, Alex Gordon, and Adalberto Mondesi. It’s a tough 1-2-3 punch, but it should be the perfect challenge for Reynaldo.
This afternoon is the rubber match between the White Sox and Royals. It’s a back-to-back 1:15 CT start, where WGN is responsible for the broadcast and radio coverage. Both teams are trying to find an answer to their starting pitchers, so it should be an entertaining game. You already know that I’m rocking my “Stick Talk” t-shirt, as I’m anticipating a TA7 longball to quiet the booing Kansas City fans.
By the way, Dylan Covey was put on the 10-day injured list, and Thyago Vieira will take his spot on the roster.
— Chicago White Sox (@whitesox) June 9, 2019
However, could Sox fans see Dylan Cease a little earlier than anticipated?