Trying to stave off a four-game sweep
The White Sox are trotting out essentially the same lineup that has scored a total of four runs in the first three games in Kansas City, but the new Pope is from Chicago, so anything can happen.
It’s Davis Martin’s turn on the hill, trying to do as well as his predecessor starting pitchers did this week. Martin sports a 3.52 ERA, though he was touched for three runs in five innings by the Astros last time out.
The Sox do get a lefty to face this time, though it’s unlikely to make things any easier, since Kris Bubic sports a 1.98 ERA over seven starts. Like Martin, Bubic struggled against Houston, giving up four tuns in five innings, before recovering last time out to shut out Baltimore for five.
The Sox lineup he faces is loaded with right-handed hitters, though that might not matter — lefties and righties are both hitting .215 against him.
If you were hoping Bobby Witt Jr. would take getaway day off, no such luck.
First pitch is scheduled for 1:10 p.m. Central on an absolutely beautiful day for baseball, partly cloudy and temps in the low 70s. Usual broadcast suspects.