Game Thread: Diamondbacks at White Sox

It’s Sean Burke vs. Zac Gallen. Somebody has to win this one, right?

The first two games have been downright ugly. The White Sox have mustered a measly one run and eight hits combined. The pitching was awful in game one and serviceable in the second contest. Some good news is that Jonathan Cannon tossed three scoreless frames last night for the Charlotte Knights in his rehab start, so hopefully, he’ll return to Chicago soon. As far as the offense goes, I’ve got nothing for you. With gaping holes throughout this lineup, wins are going to be hard to come by.

Righthander Sean Burke gets the pill against the Arizona Diamondbacks this afternoon. So far in 2025, the 25-year-old holds a record of 3-7 with an ERA of 4.50 and a WHIP of 1.42 across 15 games and 13 starts, accumulating 61 strikeouts in 76 innings pitched. His most recent outing on June 19 against the Cardinals offered a glimpse of better things as Burke pitched 5 1⁄3 innings, allowing two runs (one earned) on four hits and two walks while fanning seven in a no-decision.

Arizona hitters can expect Burke to primarily feature a mid-90s four-seam fastball, a slider, a curveball, and occasionally a changeup and sinker. However, the red flag is that his average fastball velocity is down 1.3 mph from last year’s 95.3 mph. While his 2024 sample size was relatively small compared to the innings he’s tossed this season, the side-by-side metrics reveal a noticeable dip. Can he recapture that lost velocity and dominate, or will the D-backs feast on a slightly diminished fastball?

Baseball Savant

Here’s the Arizona lineup facing Burke today.

Zac Gallen hits the mound for the D-Backs. The veteran is having the worst year of his big league career. The righty has surrendered two runs or fewer in only five of 16 starts, earning him a 5.60 ERA and 1.40 WHIP. His last outing was a bit embarrassing as he allowed seven runs on ten hits to the Colorado Rockies. I suppose that means there’s hope for the Good Guys today, but don’t hold your breath.

Will Venable sets the South Side offense out like this against Gallen, hoping to salvage the final matchup.

You can watch the broadcast on CHSN at 1:10 p.m. CST, now carried on Comcast, Fubo, and DIRECTV. Don’t have any of those options? Tune in to Len Kasper and Darin Jackson on the radio call at ESPN 1000.