Remember Brandon McCarthy? - Game Preview & Lineups 5/9
/Do you remember Brandon McCarthy?
You probably do, as if you're on this website and reading this article you're probably pretty well-educated about recent White Sox history. But in case you're not, here's a little refresher on the pitcher the White Sox will face when they open up a three-game series against the Arizona Diamondbacks Friday night at U.S. Cellular Field.
McCarthy was once the White Sox's top pitching prospect. After being selected 17th overall in the 2002 MLB Draft, he quickly shot through the Sox's system, topping out as the team's No. 3 prospect after the 2004 season, and no. 49 in all of baseball (per Baseball America).
He got his first cup of coffee with the big club during the 2005 World Series run, going 3-2 with a 4.02 ERA in 12 appearances (10 starts) and throughout that season was the subject of constant trade rumors. Many reports had the White Sox sending him to Washington at the deadline that year for Alfonso Soriano, but the deal reportedly fell through at the last second.
After a 2006 season that saw him pitch primarily out of the bullpen with trade rumors still constantly swirling, he was finally dealt. But not for Soriano or any other "name" players who would've paid immediate dividends for a team trying to contend. It was for a pair of minor league pitchers named Nick Masset and John Danks.
The trade, of course, ended up working out pretty well for the Sox. Danks turned into a terrific rotation piece for a number of years and, of course, is still with the team (although I don't know if terrific would be an adequate description at this point). Masset, whom you might not remember, was an average reliever for parts of two seasons with the Sox before being dealt to Cincinnati for Ken Griffey Jr.
McCarthy has had an up-and-down career since leaving Chicago. He failed to stay healthy in Texas, but put together two solid years in Oakland before signing with Arizona prior to the 2013 season.
He's faced the White Sox on three different occasions since the White Sox dealt him after the 2006 season and is 1-1, allowing seven earned runs and striking out 13 in 18 innings.
No current White Sox hitters, however, have seen McCarthy enough to matter. Alexei Ramirez (2-for-7, HR) and Adam Dunn (1-for-6) represent the biggest sample sizes in today's lineup.
On the other side, the White Sox will send Andre Rienzo to the hill for his fourth start of the season. Rienzo is coming off of his worst outing of the year, allowing three earned runs and walking four while lasting just 4.2 innings against the Cleveland Indians.
I would be remiss to not mention that this weekend's series also represents the return of former White Sox closer Addison Reed, who was dealt in the offseason for third base prospect Matt Davidson. Reed is 10-for-11 in save opportunities for the Diamondbacks (who have won just 13 games all season), but has a 4.08 ERA, having given up eight earned runs (four HRs) in 17.2 innings pitched.
White Sox Lineup:
- Alejandro De Aza - CF
- Gordon Beckham - 2B
- Conor Gillaspie - 3B
- Jose Abreu - DH
- Adam Dunn - 1B
- Dayan Viciedo - LF
- Alexei Ramirez - SS
- Moises Sierra - RF
- Tyler Flowers 9 C
Andre Rienzo - SP
Diamondbacks Lineup
- Gerardo Parra - RF
- Chris Owings - SS
- Paul Goldschmidt - 1B
- Miguel Montero - C
- Aaron Hill - 2B
- Eric Chavez - DH
- Martin Prado - 3B
- Cody Ross - LF
- A.J. Pollock - CF
Brandon McCarthy - SP
Where to Watch: 7:05 p.m. CT on Comcast Sports Net + and Fox Sports Arizona.
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