Gamethread: Tigers at White Sox (ppd)

The White Sox are 22 games into their season, and it’s felt like a lifetime. It has been an everlasting gobstopper of mediocre baseball. And yes, it is still considered “early” in the season, and there have been plenty of good signs — but at what game does Willy Wonka come out and say “You lose! Good day, Sir!” One can only preach patience for so long.

Like a few other losses this season, last night falls on Tony La Russa. He has committed numerous mental mistakes that have White Sox Twitter making sure they use every character it can to indicate their displeasure. And yes, La Russa fully admits these mistakes, he’s aware of them ... just not until after the game. Not sure if that’s a trait of Grandpa Joe or Slugworth ...

However, Chicago is 4-1 in their last five games. The boys are starting to hit (minus José Abreu, who usually comes alive with the warmer weather). And the majority of Chicago’s starting pitchers are hitting their marks and going longer into games (sometimes too long, now, but that certainly won’t be an everyday occurrence). Once the team is back at full strength and La Russa takes his fish oils, the Sox will be flying high on that elevator in the sky. So have faith, White Sox fans, because the sweet sweet center of that everlasting gobstopper is just a few licks away!

Carlos Rodón takes the bump for the White Sox tonight. He is 3-0, with a 0.47 ERA, and has 24 strikeouts. His last two starts have been against Cleveland, one of them being the 20th no-hitter in franchise history. Greyson Greiner, Jonathon Schoop, and Miguel Cabrera have all had a decent amount of success against the old Rodón, but have yet to face the new and improved Carlos “The Golden Ticket” Rodón.

“There’s no earthly way of knowing, which direction his pitches are going!”

Chicago’s lineup looks as one would expect. Billy Hamilton will start in center field because Luis Robert remains on the IL with flu-like symptoms. (Good news there, though, La Russa said today that Robert remains negative for COVID and thus could return from the IL as soon as tomorrow).

Nick Madrigal and Yasmani Grandal have the night off after going a combined 0-for-7 with one walk last night. Zack Collins will call the game behind home plate and Leury García takes command of second base. Andrew Vaughn’s power off the bat has been tremendous (Top 20 in AL exit velocity so far this year), so it’s nice to see him get a start.

Here’s what the lineup looks like tonight:

Casey Mize starts for Detroit. He’s had a rough year so far with a 1-2 record, 5.23 ERA, and 14 Ks. This will be his third career start against the Sox. In those two games, he’s struck out 12 batters over 9 ²⁄₃ innings and has walked away with two no-decisions. Hopefully, Chicago can put this one in the loss column and leave Mize feeling like Augustus Gloop.

The game starts at 7:10 p.m. CT. Ashley Sanders has your Six Pack of Stats coverage tonight. Jason Benetti and Steve Stone call the game for NBCSChicago. Len Kasper and Darrin Jackson for ESPN 1000.

Sit back, relax, and get ready to view paradise! (Guaranteed Rate Field).