Gamethread: White Sox at Brewers

Well, OK, Friday night was also supposed to be a pitchers’ duel and ended up 7-1, but the duel was for real as long as the starters were in, even though Lucas Giolito had to do a whole of scuffling and shuffling to give up just one run, and Freddy Peralta had to leave after four innings to keep him rested for October, or whenever. The problem was the collapse of the Sox bullpen, of course, which may have had an upside if it gets Rick Hahn to do some serious reliever acquiring by next Friday’s deadline.

Tonight’s game, though, has even more promise of having an over/under of two. Carlos Rodón takes the mound, complete with an 8-3 record, 2.14 ERA, 140 strikeouts in 96 ²⁄₃ innings, and coming off a brilliant seven innings of one-hit shutout ball against the Astros. Lest anyone think he has been merely fortunate, Rodón’s 199 ERA+ is backed by a 2.20 FIP.

Rodón faces righty Corbin Burnes, who sports a 2.16 ERA and 140 Ks in 96 innings, and has, if anything, been extremely unlucky, because he only has a 5-4 record despite an amazing 1.31 FIP. His last outing, against the Reds, was 8 ¹⁄₃ innings with five hits, one walk, 12 strikeouts, and no runs.

Lefties hit Burnes better than righties, but that only means a .212 BAA and .548 OPS, so it’s not much to get excited about. Naytheless, the White Sox lineup is as lefty as it can be.

Rodón will be going against a Brewers lineup that’s pretty much the same as yesterday’s, except for old batterymate Omar Narváez being replaced behind the plate and grand-slam hitter Tyrone Taylor moving up a couple of spots.

It’s going to be hot one in more ways than one — game time temp is 89 degrees, not including the heat under the HOFBP’s collar.

Gametime 6:10 p.m. Central. Usual broadcast suspects.