Watch Chris Sale do his Chris Sale thing - Game Preview & Lineups 6/7

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Once again in danger of dropping under .500, continuing the never-ending dance that will be performed in the background of the 2014 White Sox rock opera, the team turns its lonely eyes to Chris Sale. Sale in against the Angels has been something special in limited outings. In 24 innings against the against Anaheim in his career Sale has a 0.38 ERA which includes a 1-hit complete game shutout last season. To cut to the point: It’s Chris Sale Day, everybody.

Last Chris Sale Day might have been the most Chris Sale of them all. He went the full 9 against the Padres, allowing just 2 hits, one of which was a HR to Chase Headley, costing Sale the shutout. He struck out 9 Padres hitters presumably just because he wanted to, and we all rejoiced. He’s been back for 3 starts and though it should be mentioned that one outing was shortened to 3 innings due to rain that HR to Headley is the only run he’s let cross the plate and represents a third of the hits allowed over the stretch. He’s hot and as you read this he’s going through his gameday routine before taking the mound in a night game at a pitcher’s park. It’s Chris Sale Day, everybody.

Marquee matchup it is not. Matt Shoemaker gets the ball to start game 2 of this 3-game series. He’s appeared out of the bullpen for as many games as he’s started and he seems content to give up the same amount of runs regardless of outing length. Most recently he came out of the bullpen to finish up a game against the Astros. His inning of work in that one saw him yield 2 runs, both via long ball, as well as a walk and a hit batter. Shoemaker works mostly off of a 2-seam fastball and has a changeup that he likes to mix in along with both a curveball and a slider.

The White Sox offense hasn’t seen an explosion of runs in nearly two weeks, nor have they gone completely dormant. The return of Abreu has been enough to help keep them on the board, while Dayan Viciedo is 0-17 in the month of June, failing to so much as draw a walk in the process.  How many hitters do they really need functioning all at once, though? It's Chris Sale Day, everybody.

Today’s Lineup:                                                            

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

Chris Sale - SP

Angels Lineup:

  1. Kendrick – 2B
  2. Trout – CF
  3. Pujols – 1B
  4. Freese – 3B
  5. Hamilton – LF
  6. Cron – DH
  7. Aybar – SS
  8. Ianetta – C
  9. Cowgill - RF

Matt Shoemaker - SP

Where to Watch:

Today’s game will be broadcast on CSN and FoxSports West and MLB Network.  9:10 Central start time.

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