The White Sox have a chance to finish off a sweep of the Twins, and that gives Will Venable a little room to shuffle things around without blowing up the whole look of the lineup.
Jordan Hicks is set to open, with the Sox continuing to lean on an opener in a pitching setup that looks healthier than it has at other points lately. Jose Urquidy is expected to follow Hicks after getting the usual rest for a starter, and if he does enter, it could be a meaningful chance to bounce back from his rough last outing.
Hicks has only opened one other game for Chicago, back on Aug. 1.
Chicago’s lineup is built around a few familiar names and one notable absence. Chase Meidroth is out of the starting nine, at least for now, with the Sox apparently keeping him available for a spot where he’d be a better pinch-hit option. Brenton Doyle slides into center field in his place.
The White Sox order looks like this: Sam Antonacci at second, Munetaka Murakami at first, Miguel Vargas at third, Andrew Benintendi as the DH, Braden Montgomery in right, Colson Montgomery at short, Tristan Peters in left, Brenton Doyle in center, and Drew Romo catching.
Benintendi has been locked in since coming back from the bereavement list. He’s hit cleanup and made the spot matter, collecting every Chicago hit on Saturday and driving in key moments throughout the series. Four of his five hits against Minnesota have put the Sox ahead, and whatever you want to call that, he’s still the one delivering.
Minnesota’s lineup comes in with Luke Keaschall in right, Brooks Lee at third, Kody Clemens at second, Ryan Jeffers behind the plate, Josh Bell at DH, Trevor Larnach in left, Royce Lewis at first, Kaelen Culpepper at short, and Walker Jenkins in center.
The Sox will be trying to solve Matthews, who has won all four of his August starts and just matched a career high by going seven innings in his last outing. Chicago has had success against him before, though, beating him in the Memorial Day game at Rate Field. Matthews did get through that one with the minimum needed for a quality start, so the matchup still leaves plenty of room for trouble.
In Other News...
Twins September Call-Ups Raise A Bigger Question About This Playoff Push
The Twins are using Septembers roster expansion to give themselves a little more breathing room for the stretch run, adding right-hander Garrett Acton and utilityman Ben Ross as they try to keep pace in the postseason race. Acton, acquired from the Marlins, was recently activated from the injured list, while Ross arrives with the kind of minor league production that has made him a logical fit for a late-season look, especially for a club looking for another option against left-handed pitching.
Those additions say a lot about what Minnesota is chasing right now: not just fresh arms, but flexibility. Acton gives the bullpen another layer, and Ross gives the Twins a potential platoon piece who can help them navigate the matchups that tend to decide close September games. The bigger question is whether these moves are simply about depth or whether they are the first hint of how the Twins plan to manage the margins as the pressure rises. [Read more 🡒]
Twins May Have An Outfield Problem Hiding A Useful Bat
The Twins made a roster move before facing the White Sox that says as much about their outfield depth as it does about one players short-term role. Alan Roden was optioned to open a spot for top prospect Walker Jenkins, and while Rodens surface numbers have been modest, the club has seen enough in the underlying metrics to believe there is still useful bat potential there.
The problem is opportunity. Minnesotas outfield is crowded enough that Roden was already fighting for steady playing time, and that makes him an awkward fit on a roster trying to balance development with production. A September expansion could create another opening for him, but the bigger question may come later, when the Twins have to decide whether to keep carrying a bat like this or explore a trade with so many outfield prospects in the pipeline. [Read more 🡒]
Walker Jenkins Is Already Forcing A New Twins Debate
Walker Jenkins has already given the Twins something to think about beyond the usual adjustment period that comes with a top prospect reaching the majors. In his first few games since the call-up, the young outfielder has stood out for his big physical frame and a batting stance that looks built to do damage, with early tracking data backing up the eye test. His swing has shown a steep tilt, a pull-oriented attack direction and enough bat speed to hint at real power potential.
There is still plenty of time before anyone can say exactly what kind of hitter Jenkins will become, but the first impression has been strong enough to start a familiar Twins debate. His spread-out setup appears designed for stability, and the swing shape has already prompted comparisons to Cody Bellinger, the kind of name that naturally raises expectations. For now, the larger question is less about what Jenkins is right this second and more about how soon the Twins will have to decide how aggressive they want to be with him. [Read more 🡒]