Game Thread: Dodgers (44-26) at White Sox (37-31!)
Article excerpt
The Dodgers, sitting at 44-26, visit the White Sox at 37-31 in what could be another chapter in Chicago's recent hot streak. The White Sox have been rolling lately, and this matchup tests whether they can maintain momentum against one of baseball's stronger teams. The Dodgers bring a six-game advantage in the win column into what shapes up as a significant divisional or playoff-picture indicator.
Shohei Ohtani is out of street clothes and back in the lineup today. | (Photo by Daniel Bartel/Getty Images)
No, you’re not dreaming. At least not about what the White Sox have been doing lately.
Last night’s 8-2 bashing of the mighty Dodgers continued a streak of terrific performances against top teams in the tough stretch of schedule, and ran Chicago’s home winning streak to eight. It will be Sean Burke trying to run that streak to nine, and Yoshinobu Yamamoto trying to see that doesn’t happen.
Righthander Yamamato is the ace of the Dodgers staff among pitchers who don’t also DH, with a 2.68 ERA and 0.918 WHIP. He’s been particularly effective of late, allowing just three runs across 27 1/3 innings in his last four starts. He’ll face a lefty-heavy White Sox lineup, with Sam Antonacci starting things off:
Burke, who has a 3.88 ERA and 1.18 WHIP for the season, has been vulnerable of late, giving up 12 earned runs in 25 2/3 innings his last five times out. He had an opener against the Phillies last time, but that doesn’t appear to have helped much, because he proceeded to walk five in 4 1/3, so Will Venable has him with a traditional start this time. Burke will contend with a Dodger lineup that has Shohei Ohtani back in his customary leadoff spot after a one-game break to recover from a knee tweak on Thursday.
First pitch is scheduled for 3:10 p.m. Central, with the temps in the mid-80s and a stiff breeze out right to left. Usual broadcast suspects.