Another Crack at a Win Streak - Game Preview & Lineups 5/6

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The White Sox have not been scoring runs at a deafening rate during the past week. In fact, it’s been a bit of a struggle for them as they’re averaging less than 3 per game during that stretch. However, they are still first in the AL in runs scored and sit in a position that could earn them their first winning streak of the season and put their record back to that familiar and comforting .500 mark. All they have to do is score more runs than Hector Noesi allows…

Noesi’s first start was very much along the lines that we expected. He made it through 3 fairly clean innings, which was nice to see, before the loosely attached wheels came off and 4 runs went on the board in the 4th inning. More than enough to secure a victory for the Tigers. The Cubs lineup isn’t near as potent as the Tigers, and Sox fans certainly know that Edwin Jackson isn’t Max Scherzer.

There are few pitchers as frustrating as Edwin Jackson. Tools and flashes of brilliance but ultimately a lot of grief and failed outings. The fact that the White Sox once carried him on the roster at the same time as Gavin Floyd is a testament to the mental strength of Sox fans. This season, Jackson has one start out of six that qualifies as a quality start. 7 innings of 3 run ball against the Diamondbacks in which he was saddled with a loss. His other starts are marred with poor run prevention and terrible pitch economy. He rarely survives the 6th inning of a start and entry into the Cubs bullpen is a good thing as far as White Sox offense is concerned.

Offense is necessary, particularly when you’re sacrificing defense for it. With the outfield being represented by the law firm of Dunn, De Aza, & Dayan, the White Sox defense didn’t particularly suffer but the offense didn’t get the boost that was being sought. Baseball is pretty weird.

Only three current Sox players have faced Jackson in their career. None enough to create a sample size that means much, but the eye can’t help but be drawn to Alexei’s 0-for-17 mark against him. Konerko is 1-for-12 and Gordon Beckham has some short term success with 4 hits in 10 at-bats against his old teammate.

Today’s Lineup:

  1. De Aza – CF
  2. Beckham – 2B
  3. Abreu – 1B
  4. Dunn - LF
  5. Viciedo - RF
  6. Ramirez – SS
  7. Flowers - C
  8. Semien – 3B
  9. Hector Noesi - SP

Cubs Lineup:

  1. Bonifacio – 2B
  2. Valbuena – 3B
  3. Rizzo – 1B
  4. Castro – SS
  5. Castillo – C
  6. Schierholtz – RF
  7. Lake – CF
  8. Coghlan - LF
  9. Edwin Jackson - SP

Where to Watch:

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