The White Sox have a chance to do more than just finish off a four-game set with Detroit on Sunday. A win would clinch the series and keep Chicago two games ahead in the race for the final wild-card spot, which is exactly the kind of position this late in the season where every game starts feeling like a test of nerve. They don’t control the AL Central, so the job is simpler than that: keep winning, keep stacking results, and stay in the mix.
The game at Rate Field was set for a 1:10 CT start, though rain pushed back the first pitch. Coverage was listed on CHSN, with radio on WGN 720 AM and 107.9 La Ley.
Chicago is rolling out the same lineup it used Saturday, and there’s no mystery to the thinking. It worked then, so Will Venable is sticking with it now rather than getting creative for the sake of it. The only wrinkle is Tristan Peters, who remains a question mark after crashing into the wall near the Rate Field picnic area Friday.
The Sox lineup goes: Sam Antonacci in left, Kyle Teel behind the plate, Miguel Vargas at third, Munetaka Murakami at first, Andrew Benintendi at DH, Colson Montgomery at short, Chase Medifroth at second, Braden Montgomery in right and Brenton Doyle in center.
Detroit’s order brings Kevin McGonigle as the DH, followed by Gleyber Torres at second, Hao-Yu Lee at third, Riley Greene in left, Eduardo Valencia catching, Maxx Clark in center, Spencer Torkelson at first, Brett Callahan in right and John Peck at shortstop.
On the mound, Davis Martin has been one of the more encouraging stories for Chicago in September. His month has looked a lot like the first two months of his season, when opposing hitters had trouble solving him. The middle of the year, though, was a different story, and a trip to the injured list appears to have helped reset things.
Martin still hasn’t picked up a win since June, but he has been sharp in three September outings, posting a 1.13 ERA. He has also worked at least five innings in each start, which has mattered for a rotation that hasn’t been giving the Sox much length.
Detroit starter Melton comes in after allowing two runs in his last outing, though that start lasted only 2.2 innings. Before that, he had given up at least three runs in each of his previous four appearances, and over his last six trips to the mound he has allowed at least five hits every time.
That sets up a real opening for Chicago to get its bats going and put pressure on a Tigers staff that hasn’t exactly been locking things down lately.
In Other News...
White Sox Bullpen Picture Just Got More Complicated Before First Pitch
Rain has already put the White Sox and Tigers on hold before first pitch, with no new start time announced yet, but the bigger subplot for Chicago is the latest bullpen shuffle. The club reinstated Huascar Brazobn from the injured list and sent Chris Murphy back to Triple-A Charlotte, a move that adds another arm to a relief group that has spent plenty of time trying to sort out its late-inning shape.
The timing matters because the White Sox were already headed into the day with a fresh look on the mound and a lineup card in hand once the weather clears. Troy Melton is the scheduled starter for Detroit, and his recent work adds another layer to a game that was supposed to be a clean matchup before the delay complicated everything, including how Chicago manages the innings if the tarp comes off later than expected. [Read more 🡒]
White Sox Affiliate Offers Late Reminder The System Still Has Life
The White Sox may still be focused on the big-league picture, but Charlotte offered a useful reminder that the organization has some depth worth watching. The Knights beat Norfolk 10-6 on Wednesday to grab their second win of the series, and the offense kept the pressure on from the start with 12 hits and five extra-base hits. Mario Camilletti paced the lineup with four RBIs, while Tyler Gilbert handled three innings on the mound as part of a staff effort that gave up six runs but still kept the game in control.
For a system that has spent plenty of time under a microscope, nights like this matter because they show more than one prospect or one arm can carry a club. Pierce George picked up his first Triple-A win, a small milestone that fits into a larger picture of a farm team trying to stack competitive performances. The series still has another layer to it, but Charlotte at least gave the White Sox a reminder that some of the group beneath the majors is still pushing in the right direction. [Read more 🡒]
White Sox Just Sent A Clear Message About Murakamis Future
Munetaka Murakamis first season in Chicago has not changed the White Soxs long-term view of him, but it has slowed the timetable. The club remains interested in keeping the slugger beyond his current deal, and general manager Chris Getz has openly acknowledged that conversations about an extension are ongoing, yet the Sox are not rushing to lock anything in while Murakami works through a slump.
Murakami is already under contract through 2027 after signing a two-year deal before the season, which gives both sides some breathing room. For now, Chicago appears content to let the bat settle first and revisit the bigger-picture contract discussion later, a clear sign that the front office likes the fit but is willing to wait for better performance before making a long-term commitment. [Read more 🡒]