After taking a series from the Minnesota Twins, the Chicago White Sox head to Houston to open a set against the Astros, and they’re sticking with the lefty-heavy look that’s become their calling card.
The White Sox lineup Monday night at Daikin Park runs through a run of familiar names and a few players trying to find their groove. Sam Antonacci gets the leadoff spot after a strong stretch over his last seven games, when he’s hit .292/.393/.458 and snapped out of a slump.
Right behind him is Munetaka Murakami, who’s trying to shake a recent skid after going 3-for-24 over his last seven games. He has drawn seven walks in that span, but the production still hasn’t fully come around.
Miguel Vargas keeps giving Chicago something to work with. He enters with a 16-game on-base streak, though the power has gone quiet since August 21, when he last collected an extra-base hit. Chase Meidroth is back in the lineup after sitting out Sunday, and Jake Rogers will do the catching instead of Drew Romo.
The rest of the White Sox order features Andrew Benintendi, Braden Montgomery, Colson Montgomery, Tristan Peters, and Rogers, with Vargas holding down the middle of the lineup at third.
Houston counters with a lineup built around Jeremy Peña, Yordan Alvarez, Isaac Paredes, and Christian Walker near the top, followed by Daulton Varsho, Cam Smith, Nelson Velázquez, Nick Allen, and Christian Vázquez.
Anthony Kay gets the start for Chicago. His season line sits at a 4.09 ERA, which hasn’t exactly jumped off the page, but he’s been steady and available - two things the White Sox have needed from their rotation. In his most recent outing against the Texas Rangers, he worked 4.2 innings and allowed four runs.
Peter Lambert will take the ball for Houston. He’s put together a solid season overall, posting a 3.66 ERA in 23 starts after an injury-hit run with the Colorado Rockies. But he has been more vulnerable lately, carrying a 5.25 ERA over his last seven games, and Chicago will try to take advantage right away to start the series with a statement win.
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