Jose Abreu Returns - Lineups & Preview 6/2

/

Jose Abreu's much ballyhooed return to the White Sox lineup after a two week absence brought on by janketty ankles, comes not a moment too soon. The White Sox are set to face an absolute death-thresher of a left-handed starter who threatens to neutralize the two best hitters in their lineup, and possibly Adam Eaton too.

Remember how much fun it was to watch Chris Sale slice and dice the Padres? Think of how they felt! Now prepare to feel that way. Dodgers starter Clayton Kershaw currently has a 3.57 ERA in his injury-shortened beginning to 2014, which is good, but a mystery in and of itself as to why it's not better, since he's recorded more strikeouts (46) than baserunners allowed (43) in 36 innings.

Abreu lends some sorely needed right-handed thunder to the Sox' campaign against the reigning Cy Young, but a transition from sim game minor leaguers to the most most most elite...it can't be fun, but it's not all that different from what he's been doing all season.

More importantly,this is happening:

If Abreu, Yasiel Puig, Dayan Viciedo, Alexei Ramirez, Jose Ferndandez, and all the other MLB Cubans broke off to form a barnstorming team with Minnie Minoso as manager, would you root for them over the White Sox? I don't think I would, but I probably wouldn't smart over the unholy whooping they would deliver either.

White Sox Lineup:                                                            

  1. Adam Eaton – CF

  2. Gordon Beckham – 2B

  3. Jose Abreu -- 1B

  4. Dayan Viciedo – LF

  5. Alexei Ramirez -- SS

  6. Conor Gillaspie -- 3B

  7. Tyler Flowers -- C

  8. Moises Sierra -- RF

  9. Jose Quintana -- P

Injuries have made the Dodgers stars n' scrubs approach more distended than ever. Surrounding a core full of once and former MVPs and MVP candidates are Chone Figgins, Drew Butera and Justin Turner; guys who didn't produce enough offense to hang around with the Mariners, Twins and Mets.

They're also starting Scott Van Slyke in center, and I'm picking up a vibe that this is not normal procedure.

Los Angeles Dodgers Lineup:

  1. Chone Figgins – 2B

  2. Matt Kemp – LF

  3. Yasiel Puig – RF

  4. Hanley Ramirez – SS

  5. Adrian Gonzalez – 1B

  6. Scott Van Slyke -- CF

  7. Justin Turner – 3B

  8. Drew Butera – C

  9. Clayton Kersha -- P

Gird yourself against endless comparing and contrasting of Vin Scully and Hawk Harrelson's broadcasting styles. Or, read Cee Angi's longform piece on Scully before the game starts. Your choice.

 

Where to Watch: Today’s game will be broadcast on CSN and Sports Net LA.  9:10 p.m. Central start time.

 

Follow The Catbird Seat on Twitter @TheCatbird_Seat