Runs For Paulino - Game Preview & Lineups 4/18

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The White Sox have scored 7 or more runs in 5 different games already this year. They only managed 7 runs total in a 3-game series with the Red Sox. Once clearly on top of the league for offensive production, a lesson in small sample size comes by way of 3 offensively mediocre games, pushing the Sox down to a second place tie in wRC+ with the Anaheim Angels. They’re going to need an offense today when Felipe Paulino takes the mound.

Paulino has given up 6 runs in each of his last 2 starts, effectively erasing the memory of his first start when he struck out 6 and allowed only 2 runs. We wonder when he’ll pull it together, a short lease from a fan base proving to be somewhat spoiled and perhaps a bit delusional after a reasonably decent start from a team that laid out next to the 2012 version looks like the 2001 Mariners. As Paulino pushes the percentage of Maalox in Don Cooper’s diet skyward, the offense that was bailing out poor pitching has been missing in action.

Alexei Ramirez has maintained his hit-streak, which now stands at 20, but he’s also 2 for his last 10 at the plate. Jose Abreu is 0 for more at-bats than I’m comfortable mentioning. The elusive Paul Konerko, who came on to spell Abreu in the lineup last night doesn’t have a hit since his first AB of the year. A strange world when it seems like the only person you can count on is Tyler Flowers.

A trip to Texas would seem to be the tonic, though Globe Life Park is listed out as a below average run environment and the same for homeruns in 2013. A year earlier it was near the top of the league in both. Can anything be trusted anymore?!

Martin Perez will step up to represent the Rangers, bringing a 2.70 ERA in 3 starts along with him. His strikeout rate is similar to last year as his strand rate. He’s walking more guys and he’s got a BABIP against that’s 65 points higher than last season. Why that should yield an ERA a run lower than last year I do not know, but I’m very close to being tired of mentioning sample size any more in this post.

Today's Lineup

  1. Eaton – CF
  2. Semien – 3B
  3. Abreu – 1B
  4. Viciedo – RF
  5. Konerko - DH
  6. Ramirez – SS
  7. De Aza – LF
  8. Flowers – C
  9. Garcia – 2B

Felipe Paulino - SP

Rangers Lineup

  1. Choo – LF
  2. Andrus – SS
  3. Rios – DH
  4. Fielder – 1B
  5. Kouzmanoff – 3B
  6. Adduci – RF
  7. Murphy – 2B
  8. Martin – CF
  9. Chirinos - C

Martin Perez - SP

Where to Watch:

Today’s game will be broadcast on CSN and TXA-21. 7:05 Central start time.