The All-Important Series Win - Game Preview & Lineups 4/24

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Sitting comfortably at .500 the White Sox now have the chance to win the series in Detroit before heading back home to take on the Rays. Oddly, the Sox took series against Detroit twice last year, including the first time they faced off which came late enough in the season that the team was already buried in the standings. Hopeless they are not, this go-round, and it’s early enough to be concerning to the Tigers in terms of their own record and forcing themselves to ask just who these White Sox think they are and what is it that they’re trying to accomplish?

Overmatched in the last two contests in the pitching department, today’s afternoon affair brings the pitching duel that was expected on Tuesday before an trip to the DL for the White Sox ace shut down Sale vs. Verlander. Jose Quintana isn’t Chris Sale but he’s been dealing well enough that it’s must-watch TV when he toes the rubber. I say that even following a poor showing in his last outing in which he only struck out one batter and allowed 5 runs in his 5 innings. Everybody has a bad day and at least it wasn’t 9 runs with no outs recorded, am I right?

The offense looks a whole lot better when Jose Abreu gets a hold of one. For starters, it’s fun to watch. Also, in games that he has hit a home run the White Sox have scored 6 or more runs. With the knowledge that we’re less than a month into the season, it’s not a stretch to think that a strong Jose Abreu keeps the machine running well.

Gordon Beckham has been activated off of the disabled list, taking Charlie Leesman’s roster spot. This may stall the infield roster decision another few days but when the Chris Sale shaped hole in the rotation comes back around another move is going to be necessary. Conor Gillaspie has healed his thumb enough to get himself back into the lineup. We’re a healthy Adam Eaton away from having a lineup at full strength. Pitching staff to follow, please.

Today’s Lineup:

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

A lineup shuffle: Gillaspie is not yet ready to go, is scratched. Beckham will play second, batting 8th, everybody slides up a spot in the lineup and Marcus Semien will move to third base. 

Jose Quintana - SP

Tigers Lineup:

  1. Davis – LF
  2. Kinsler – 2B
  3. Cabrera – 1B
  4. Victor Martinez – DH
  5. Hunter - RF
  6. Jackson – CF
  7. Castellanos – 3B
  8. Holaday – C
  9. Worth - SS

Max Scherzer - SP

Where to Watch:

Today’s game will be broadcast on CSN and Fox Sports Detroit. 1:08 Central start time.