Game Thread: Athletics at White Sox

Jonathan Cannon hoping to spark first season victory

Prior to the game, the Chicago White Sox announced a few roster moves, including one that some of us have been anxiously awaiting for THREE seasons. It’s hard to know if this is actually, “Goodbye, don’t let the door hit you in the behind,” or if it’s only “See you later” when He Who Must Not Be Named shows up in Charlotte. I suppose we’ll find out in a week, so stay tuned.

And not that this matters much, but Justin Anderson also cleared waivers.

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After an awful beating yesterday, the Good Guys try to redeem themselves tonight against the Athletics. The Sox desperately need to generate some winning momentum before heading out after Thursday’s contest to kick off a brutal 10-game road trip in Boston this weekend. And yes, it looks like they’ll get to face Garrett Crochet ... again. Good times.

Jonathan Cannon makes his fourth start of the season, still looking for that elusive first victory. His season debut on March 29, when he tossed five innings of scoreless ball, remains his best outing of the year. Last time on the bump, the hurler earned the loss by allowing six runs on seven hits with three walks, which was — not great. Command and efficiency, neither of which has been good, will be the keys to turning things around for the righthander. With a 5.79 BB/9 and 1.64 WHIP, the numbers tell a story: Cannon is giving up way too many free passes. Additionally, notice all the blue here in his percentile rankings, which typically does not equate to winning baseball games.

Baseball Savant

Chicago’s woeful, injury-depleted offense will try to get to Athletics’ pitcher Osvaldo Bido. The 29-year-old is also making his fourth appearance and has had much better results. He’s 1-1 with a 3.00 ERA. The righty possesses a five-pitch arsenal including a four-seamer, cutter, slider, sinker, and changeup. He has a pretty high BABIP at .391, but the South Siders with their team .200 BA and .272 OBP, likely will help him lower it by the end of the night.

Here’s how skipper Will Venable will line them up in search of win No. 5.

And for the Athletics, manager Mark Kotsay sends his offense out in pursuit of victory No. 8. Yep. The homeless A’s have three more wins than the Sox.

You can watch the broadcast on CHSN at 6:40 p.m. CST. Don’t want to pay for CHSN or the antenna? Listen to Len Kasper and Darin Jackson on the radio call at ESPN 1000.