On Sunday, the White Sox could not quite complete a sweep against the Cubs. However, they will gladly settle for two out of three at Wrigley and seven of their last eight overall. The South Siders’ phenomenal week has vaulted them into the middle of the playoff picture. The White Sox find themselves with a 17-12 record and a 96.5% chance of making the playoffs, per FanGraphs.
Starting for the White Sox will be none other than Lucas Giolito. Giolito was phenomenal during his most recent start, when the Detroit Tigers (11-16) simply could not solve him. During that start, Giolito pitched seven innings, and he allowed no runs on three hits. He also displayed excellent control, striking out 13 while issuing only one walk. Entering play tonight, Giolito has a 3.89 ERA, 3.22 FIP, 3.40 xFIP. According to FanGraphs, Giolito has been worth 1.0 WAR already.
Left-hander Steven Brault will start on the mound for the Pirates (7-17). Brault enters with a 3.00 ERA, 3.63 FIP, and 4.78 xFIP. Those stats render Brault a 0.3 FanGraphs WAR pitcher. Despite pitching only 12 innings, that WAR total makes him one of the Pirates’ most valuable pitchers.
Here are tonight’s starting lineups:
Steven on the hill as we head to the South Side (of Chicago).#LetsGoBucs pic.twitter.com/5p1mCItKhi
— Pirates (@Pirates) August 25, 2020
Lucas Giolito is back on the mound tonight at Guaranteed Rate Field.
— Chicago White Sox (@whitesox) August 25, 2020
⏰: 7:10 p.m.
: @NBCSChicago
: MyTeams App https://t.co/AX61AI71fT
: @WGNRadio pic.twitter.com/t5kzv8bDJS
Earlier this afternoon, the following story was announced:
White Sox Sign Yolmer Sanchez To Minors Deal https://t.co/JfEQqmjuyA pic.twitter.com/hu3ZJIcDUg
— MLB Trade Rumors (@mlbtraderumors) August 25, 2020
The 2019 Gold Glover, and the likable guy who has accumulated 4.6 fWAR in 646 games for the White Sox, is back in the organization! Best of luck to Yolmer.
Tonight’s game will start at 7:10 CST. NBC Sports Chicago will televise it, and WGN 720 will have the radio coverage. Time to start another winning streak!