Article Author:
Reuters
The Chicago White Sox are ready to win the American League Central Division. It's just a matter of keeping everyone on the field.
The encouraging news for the White Sox during his four-game series against the Texas Rangers in Arlington, Texas, is that a player in their core position has joined the lineup for the first time this season.
The White Sox are pleased to welcome Luis Roberto, Jose Abreu, Eloy Jimenez, Tim Anderson, Yoan Moncada and Yasmani Grandal to the same lineup. This was envisioned by the club in spring training, but injuries prevented it from happening.
His four Jimenez homers on Friday were the difference in his 2-1 win for the White Sox, ending the weekend series with his one game each. I was.
"We are a good team," Abreu told MLB.com through a translator. "Right now, our goal is to stay healthy. We know if we stay healthy and stay on the field, we'll do well."
Game 3 of the series is scheduled for Saturday night. The White Sox are tied for second with the Cleveland Guardians, two games behind the Minnesota Twins. In the pitching matchup, the White Sox's Michael Kopech (4-7, 3.12 ERA) faces Rangers' Dane Dunning (1-6, 4.30 ERA).
Dunning said he was with the White Sox in 2020, but after that season, right-handed Dunning was traded to the White Sox as part of the Lance Lynn trade.
In his shortened 60-game season in Chicago in 2020, Dunning started seven games and went 2-0 with a 3.97 ERA. .
This will be Dunning's second time playing against his former club. At the start of April 2021, the right-hander was tagged with 5 earned runs in his 2 2/3 innings.
Overall, this has been an up-and-down season for the Rangers, but now they are looking to the future.
"Our overall intention is to help this club this year, and to build for the future, with the elements that will help us win in 23 and beyond, and not just this year." "We've been working hard to get the league together," Daniels, president of the John Rangers' baseball division, told media after Tuesday's trade deadline. By nature, I think our focus has shifted a bit since then to the more players that are here after 23 years.” He has played twice, starting two of them, and has a record of 1-0 and an ERA of 1.17.
Earlier this year, against Texas on June 12, the right-hander withdrew from the starting lineup after his second inning of thirds due to discomfort in his right knee. did.
In this year's trip, Kopech has a 3-3 record and a 3.09 ERA.
Rangers relief pitcher Jonathan Hernandez has had a save opportunity and is looking to further mix his sequences on the pitch. The right-hander has a sinker that can reach 99 mph, and he mixes his slider and changeup early in the count to keep hitters from sitting on the pitch.
"I think it just adds an element of surprise," Rangers manager Chris Woodward said on the pre-game radio show. "You never know what's coming. It's straight down with a 99 (sinker) and 91 mph slider and a 90 mph changeup. It's really hard work hitting that guy." } — Field Level Media