The White Sox (46-60) have not played well since the All-Star break. They have fallen from a respectable 42-44 record to being in line for next year’s seventh overall pick rather quickly. Things have been especially rough the past few days, with the Sox losing an 11-1 blowout to Minnesota and then getting swept at home by the Mets. As a result, the Sox have lost four straight heading into tonight. Tonight, they take on the Phillies, who are contending for a playoff spot. At 57-51, the Phillies are seven games behind the Braves for the NL East lead, but they are tied for the second wild card spot.
In his past two starts, Iván Nova has been effective. In fact, of those four White Sox victories since the All-Star break, two of them were largely thanks to those starts by Nova. The most recent two Sox victories were both started by Nova. In those games, Nova allowed only two runs (one earned) in 15 innings. He followed up his complete game against the Marlins with another strong performance against the Twins in his last start. In that game, he lasted six innings and only allowed one run (it was unearned) on two hits. This season, Nova has a 5.23 ERA, 5.22 FIP, 4.78 xFIP, and 0.9 fWAR.
On the other side, 36-year-old left-hander Jason Vargas will get the start on the mound. Vargas will make his Phillies debut, as he recently was traded to Philly from the Mets. He enters with a 4.03 ERA, 4.71 FIP, 5.22 xFIP, and 1.1 fWAR.
Here are tonight’s starting lineups:
Tonight's #WhiteSox starters: pic.twitter.com/p8H7vB1LiN
— Chicago White Sox (@whitesox) August 2, 2019
Jason Vargas makes his Phillies debut in game one of an interleague series with the White Sox. #RingTheBell
— Philadelphia Phillies (@Phillies) August 2, 2019
: @NBCPhiladelphia
: @SportsRadioWIP
: https://t.co/tXix0z8eEb or https://t.co/vgbMhIMsON pic.twitter.com/WO7M72qiB7
Shortly after yesterday’s game, the White Sox optioned AJ Reed, 26, to Triple-A Charlotte. In 14 games with the White Sox, Reed hit .136/.204/.205 with -0.5 fWAR.
The White Sox made the following announcement this afternoon:
— Chicago White Sox (@whitesox) August 2, 2019
In a move that was disappointing but not surprising to many Sox fans, Matt Skole will be the one to replace Reed on the 25-man roster. Skole turned 30 on Tuesday, and in 92 games with the Charlotte Knights this season, he had a slash line of .248/.384/.497 (121 wRC+).
Seby Zavala will get another shot in the majors after going 1-for-9 with seven strikeouts in his first three career major league games. Meanwhile, we wish the best for Welington Castillo and his family.
Tonight’s game will start at 6:05 CST, and it will be televised on NBC Sports Chicago. WGN 720 will have the radio coverage. Let’s end this losing streak.