Game Thread: White Sox at Twins

Trying not to be swept, again

Last night the Minnesota Twins showed why they have the second-worst record in the American League, playing gracious host and trying to give the game away by, among other things, leaving 13 men on base in eight innings despite also hitting into two double plays. But, of course, the Chicago White Sox showed why they have the very worst record in the league, by playing gracious guests and declining to accept the gift.

Will that politesse continue this afternoon? Or will Mother Nature step in, given the 80+% chance of rain? Don’t know, but we do know that it is likely Bobby Dalbec will set a personal record of sorts today. Dalbec played four innings at shortstop last night after entering the game as a pinch hitter, and is starting there today, marking the second time in his now-six-year career he’s played short for more than one game, with an excellent chance to set his annual innings record at the position, which is 10.

Meanwhile, with the Sox using six relievers in a planned bullpen game last night and the Twins using five in an unplanned one, both starting pitchers may be given extra-long leashes today. Shane Smith and his excellent 2.82 ERA will be getting that leash for the Sox, hoping to do at least as well against Minnesota as he had on April Fool’s Day, when he held them to two hits and two runs in 5 2⁄3, though he’d like to have better control (four walks).

It will be righty Chris Paddack going for the Twins and trying to lower his 7.27 ERA. The Sox are used to facing starter with inflated ERAs in this young season. But this is the first case where they’re the reason for that inflation, having clobbered him for nine runs in 3 1⁄3 back in March. Since then, Paddack has only given up five earned runs in three starts, none longer than five innings, so the Sox have to hope for Yogi’s famed deja vu all over again.

Did we mention the lineup Paddack will face has Bobby Dalbec at short?

The Twins lineup against Smith is about the same as last night:

First pitch is scheduled for 12:10 p.m. Central, but there’s a high probability of rain beginning right about then and lasting the rest of the day. Usual broadcast suspects.