It’s a trifle unlikely that a strategy of nine-up-nine-down-nine-run-inning-five-more-innings-without-a-hit will work two games in a row, so the White Sox may want to try a different form of attack today.
That approach will start against Adrian Houser, who was Chicago’s best pitcher last year — 6-2, 2.10 ERA — before being traded to the Tampa Bay Rays at the deadline. Houser hasn’t fared so well this season, with a 5.25 ERA and -0.6 bWAR, though he’s only given up four earned runs in 17 2/3 innings over his last three starts. The righty doesn’t strike out many (26 in 48 innings), which may present a problem for him against the Three True Outcomes members of the White Sox lineup.
At the top is Sam Antonacci, who went into the record books barely a month into his major league career last night when he became only the 11th batter to get hit by a pitch twice in one inning.
The White Sox counter with Bryan Hudson, the opener for (presumably) Erick Fedde. The southpaw sports a fine 1.57 ERA (though 1.348 WHIP), but is usually only good for one inning. Fedde is 0-4 with a 4.30 ERA and got knocked around by the Cubs last time out. They’ll face a Giants lineup that’s last in the majors in runs per game.
First pitch is scheduled for 3:05 p.m. Central. It’ll be 63 degrees under partly sunny skies, with wind blowing from left field at 14 mph and gusts up to 23. Usual broadcast suspects.