The White Sox (51-63) have not played well against the Athletics (66-50) this season. After yesterday’s lopsided loss, the Sox are 0-4 against them, and they have been outscored 28-5 in those games.
Reynaldo López looks to break that trend, as he will get the start for the White Sox. His overall numbers this season (5.41 ERA, 5.04 FIP, 5.33 xFIP, 1.6 fWAR) may look unfavorable, but López has been much better since the All-Star break. Since then, he has a 2.56 ERA, and hitters are slashing only .217/.293/.308 against him. López pitched admirably in his only game against the A’s this season, allowing no earned runs (one unearned) in six innings back on July 14.
Tanner Roark, 32, will be Oakland’s starting pitcher. Roark is a native of Wilmington, Illinois, and he attended the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. He enters with a 4.14 ERA, 4.23 FIP, 4.51 xFIP, and 1.9 fWAR. This will be Roark’s second start for the Athletics, as the Reds traded him just before the deadline along with cash for minor league outfielder Jameson Harrah.
Here are tonight’s starting lineups:
Roark on the road.#RootedInOakland pic.twitter.com/Hw1fkBFHDq
— Oakland A's (@Athletics) August 10, 2019
Tonight's #WhiteSox starters: pic.twitter.com/nLzyr68BEc
— Chicago White Sox (@whitesox) August 10, 2019
As usual, we can critique a thing or two about Ricky’s lineup. While Eloy Jiménez is in a slump (.192/.208/.269 in 12 games since returning from injury), I’m not so sure he should be batting seventh. Since Jiménez should be in the middle of the order if/when the team is good the near future, he should be getting as many plate appearances as possible. Jiménez is vital to the White Sox’s long-term plan, unlike, say, cleanup hitter Matt Skole.
The game will start at 6:10 CST, and NBC Sports Chicago will televise it. Once again, WGN 720 will have the radio coverage. Let’s get our first win over the A’s.