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After blowing out the Cubs (57-75) on Sunday to finish 5-1 in the Crosstown Series, the White Sox (76-56) are back in action tonight. This will be the first of a two-game series against the Pirates (48-83), who find themselves in the basement of the NL Central.
Lucas Giolito (3.68 ERA, 3.36 xERA, 3.88 FIP, 3.1 fWAR) will start on the mound for the South Siders. It has been another strong season for Giolito, who has heated up in the second half. Since the All-Star Game, Giolito has a 2.70 ERA, and opposing hitters have a slash line of only .206/.249/.383 in that time. Last time Giolito faced the Pirates, there was a historic moment in front of an empty stadium. You might remember it.
Bryse Wilson, a 23-year-old righty, has been a serviceable player for a struggling Pittsburgh team. Wilson (5.03 ERA, 5.26 xERA, 4.93 FIP if we include his performance from a suspended game on July 21 that has not been completed) has accumulated 0.3 fWAR in 53 2⁄3 innings. Wilson uses five pitches, which are the four-seam fastball (which he throws 41.7% of the time), sinker (20.7%), changeup (20.7%), curveball (10.8%), and slider (6.2%).
Here are tonight’s starting lineups:
Luis Robert is 24-60 (.400) with five home runs and 12 RBI in his last 14 games.
— Chicago White Sox (@whitesox) August 31, 2021
⏰: 7:10 p.m. CT
: @NBCSChicago
: @ESPN1000 pic.twitter.com/UprdTiRctz
Tonight’s lineup in Chicago.#LetsGoBucs pic.twitter.com/wsfuHUPWzE
— Pittsburgh Pirates (@Pirates) August 31, 2021
Earlier this afternoon, the White Sox made the following announcement:
Prior to tonight’s series opener vs. Pittsburgh, the #WhiteSox placed All-Star right-handed pitcher Lance Lynn on the 10-day injured list (retroactive to August 29) with right knee inflammation and recalled infielder Danny Mendick from Class AAA Charlotte.
— Chicago White Sox (@whitesox) August 31, 2021
Hopefully, Lynn will make a quick recovery and be on top of his game come October. He has been arguably the most valuable player on the team this season.
With Lynn going on the injured list, Reynaldo López will enter the starting rotation for the time being. López has delivered some reliable help from the bullpen this season, so hopefully, that is a sign of things to come.
NBC Sports Chicago will televise the game, while WMVP 1000 AM will have the radio coverage. The first pitch is scheduled for 7:10 p.m. Central. Let’s get it done.