Gamethread: White Sox at Rays

After rocking two-way player Brendan McKay en route to a 9-2 win, the White Sox (43-51) are back at it tonight. Lucas Giolito returns to the mound for the second game in this three-game set in Tampa Bay. Giolito enters with a 3.23 ERA, 3.15 FIP, 3.96 xFIP, and 3.4 fWAR. Those are very strong numbers, though he has cooled off recently.

In his last five starts, Giolito has a 6.48 ERA in 25 innings. In his last start, he lasted six innings and allowed three runs (all earned) in Kansas City to squeeze out a quality start. That was his fifth matchup against the Royals this season, and Giolito dominated them previously (1.80 ERA in 25 innings). So, perhaps Kansas City made some adjustments. In future matchups against them, Lucas may have to change his approach a bit.

Starting for the Rays (56-44) will be 27-year-old left-hander Ryan Yarbrough. Yarbrough enters with a 4.26 ERA, 3.51 FIP, 4.23 xFIP, and 1.2 fWAR. In his most recent start, he pitched admirably against Baltimore, allowing only one run on two hits in six and one-third innings. He struck out six and did not issue any walks. One of Yarbrough’s biggest strengths is his ability to force hitters into weak contact. According to Baseball Savant, Yarbrough’s opposing exit velocity is in the 97th percentile. Yarbrough manages to do this despite a fastball velocity that is in the 1st percentile.

Here are tonight’s starting lineups:

This afternoon, the White Sox made the following announcement:

Kelvin Herrera will make a trip to the injured list. Herrera has a 7.36 ERA, but the advanced peripherals indicate that he has been quite unlucky (4.68 FIP, 4.86 xFIP). Let’s hope he has a speedy recovery. Meanwhile, Jimmy Cordero, 27 (not 28, White Sox), has been called up from Charlotte. In 17 ²⁄₃ innings in Charlotte, he has a 0.51 ERA, 2.57 FIP, and 3.00 xFIP. Hopefully, he can keep up the good work in the majors.

The game will start at 5:10 CST and will be televised on WGN. WGN 720 will provide the radio coverage.