Gamethread: Athletics at White Sox
Dallas Keuchel looks to get back on track for the South Siders
After dropping two out of three against the Yankees (65-52), the White Sox (68-50) welcome the Athletics (68-50) to Chicago for a four-game series.
Dallas Keuchel will start on the mound for the South Siders. It has not been a season to remember for the lefthander, who enters with a 4.51 ERA, 5.89 xERA, 5.23 FIP, and 0.3 fWAR. Since the beginning of July, Keuchel has a 5.72 ERA, and in that time, opponents are slugging .493 despite a BABIP of only .224. Keuchel will try to reverse his recent struggles, but tonight, he will have to do so against a strong offense (4.59 runs per game for Oakland this season).
Frankie Montas, who had a brief stint with the White Sox back in 2015, will start for Oakland. Montas has been pitching well this season, as he enters tonight’s action with a 3.98 ERA, 4.04 xERA, 3.48 FIP, and 2.6 fWAR. This will be his first career appearance against the White Sox.
Here are tonight’s starting lineups:
Andrew Vaughn is hitting .326/.386/.566 (42-129) with eight home runs and 21 RBI over his last 38 games since 6/29.
— Chicago White Sox (@whitesox) August 16, 2021
⏰: 7:10 p.m. CT
: @NBCSChicago & @espn
: @ESPN1000 pic.twitter.com/mD4nfaSyZ1
Chicago
— Oakland A's (@Athletics) August 16, 2021
⚾: 5:10pm PT vs. White Sox
: NBCSCA
: Bloomberg 960 AM
: https://t.co/M834H8aCde
: https://t.co/sssl73rFGn
Starting pitcher: Montas#RiseAndGrind x @Chevron pic.twitter.com/SPHtfvAfGU
Earlier this afternoon, the White Sox posted the following update:
Prior to tonight’s series opener vs. Oakland, the Chicago White Sox made the following five roster moves: pic.twitter.com/nnPGRhpGN1
— Chicago White Sox (@whitesox) August 16, 2021
Unfortunately, Adam Engel is back on the injured list. All White Sox fans hope for a quick recovery for the outfielder, who has been great with the bat (132 wRC+) and the glove this season (five defensive runs saved).
Meanwhile, Mike Wright, 31, will be joining the major league squad after posting a 3.40 ERA and a 4.15 FIP in 95 1⁄3 innings with Triple-A Charlotte.
Relievers Ryan Burr and Matt Foster are trading places, as Foster is heading to Triple-A Charlotte, while Burr is heading back to the majors.
Zack Burdi, a former first round pick, was designated for assignment. Burdi, who was selected No. 26 overall in the 2016 draft, has pitched 16 1⁄3 innings in the majors (8.27 ERA, -0.4 fWAR). Best of luck to Burdi as he continues his career.
Tonight’s game will start at 7:10 p.m. Central, and WMVP 1000 AM will have the radio coverage. NBC Sports Chicago will televise it, and incredibly, once again, so will ESPN. Time to get back in the win column.