Davis Martin Looms Large As White Sox Try To Build Momentum

While the White Sox prepare their lefty-heavy lineup against the Astros' Wesneski, concerns rise with Murakami's ongoing struggles and Martin's injury setback.

The White Sox are rolling out the same group that helped them take down the Astros on Tuesday, and they’ll do it again Wednesday night with a left-handed look at the top of the order.

Chicago visits Daikin Park at 7:10 CT, with CHSN carrying the game and ESPN Chicago WMVP 1000 AM on the radio. The White Sox come in at 73-65, while Houston sits at 70-69.

Chicago’s lineup starts with Sam Antonacci in left field, followed by Munetaka Murakami at first base, Miguel Vargas at third, and Andrew Benintendi in the DH spot. Braden Montgomery is back after an off day and is slotted fifth, with Colson Montgomery sixth, Chase Meidroth seventh, Tristan Peters eighth, and Drew Romo catching.

Murakami remains in the two hole even though the results have been rough lately. Over his last 15 games, he’s hit just .094/.304/.170. If that slide keeps going, the White Sox may eventually need to rethink where he fits in the order.

Colson Montgomery is at least showing signs of life. After a long slump, he has put together a much better stretch over his last seven games, hitting .269/.387/.577.

The improved plate discipline and contact have been a welcome development, and his bat could matter again Wednesday against Hayden Wesneski. Chicago also swapped Tristan Peters and Chase Meidroth in the order.

Houston’s lineup features Jeremy Peña leading off, with Yordan Alvarez, Isaac Paredes and José Altuve following. Daulton Varsho is in center, Taylor Trammell in left, Cam Smith in right, LaMonte Wade Jr. at first, and Christian Vázquez behind the plate.

Davis Martin gets the ball for Chicago, and the White Sox are hoping for a much cleaner outing than the recent stretch has given them. After a strong start to 2026, Martin has stumbled in his last 15 starts, posting a 6.52 ERA with 52 strikeouts and 29 walks across 69 innings.

His last appearance against the Cincinnati Reds on August 13 lasted only two innings, when he allowed three runs before a controversial ejection. He was later diagnosed with a blister on his throwing hand and went on the 15-day injured list.

Now back healthy, Martin will try to reset against an Astros lineup that has already seen Hayden Wesneski return from Tommy John surgery. Wesneski came back on July 29 and has logged a 3.86 ERA in six starts, with 28 strikeouts in 32.2 innings. In 80 career games, including 34 starts, he owns a 3.99 ERA.

The White Sox will be trying to jump on Wesneski early and use the same formula that worked one night ago.

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