First pitch: 2:10 p.m. ET
Venue: Rate Field, Chicago, Illinois
TV: CHSN / SNY
This is the series finale of a three-game interleague set at Rate Field. The teams split the first two: White Sox took Friday 6-4 (walk-off HR by Jake Rogers after a three-HR sixth inning), while the Mets responded with a 10-5 win on Saturday powered by Luis Robert Jr.’s two home runs against his former team, plus blasts from Bo Bichette, Carson Benge, and Luis Torrens. The AL Central-leading White Sox host a Mets club that has shown recent life despite a sub-.500 record.
Starting Pitchers
New York: RHP Nolan McLean (9-8, 3.34 ERA, 1.16 WHIP, 162 K in 142.2 IP). Young right-hander with strong recent form (multiple quality starts, solid K rates). Has logged at least six innings in many recent outings and holds opponents to a low average. Looking to build on consistent length.
Chicago: LHP Sean Newcomb (1-3, 2.44 ERA, 1.10 WHIP, 64 K in 70.0 IP). Primarily a reliever/opener this season with excellent results (low ERA, limited hard contact). Expected to start or open; limited traditional starter workload but effective in multi-inning roles. Strong ground-ball tendencies and recent scoreless stretches.
Current Rosters / Key Players
Mets key contributors: Luis Robert Jr. (OF, two HRs Saturday vs. former club), Bo Bichette (IF, recent HR and multi-hit games), Carson Benge (OF, high average ~.276, recent HR), Marcus Semien (IF), Brett Baty (IF), Luis Torrens (C, recent power surge), Jared Young, Francisco Lindor (SS when available), A.J. Ewing. Power and contact mix, bolstered by Robert’s return production.
White Sox key contributors: Miguel Vargas (IF, power leader ~29 HR, recent multi-hit/HR production), Chase Meidroth (IF, high average), Munetaka Murakami (power), Luis Robert Jr.’s former teammates including potential contributors like Colson Montgomery, Randal Grichuk, Jake Rogers (walk-off HR Friday), Braden Montgomery. Strong home offense capable of multi-HR innings.
Injury Reports
Mets: Juan Soto (10-day IL, calf); Mark Vientos (10-day IL, hand—rehab progressing); Jorge Polanco (10-day IL, ankle—surgery expected); Cionel Pérez (15-day IL, forearm); Devin Williams (15-day IL, shoulder); Tylor Megill, Justin Hagenman, Reed Garrett (60-day IL, various). Core group available with Robert contributing.
White Sox: Joey Bart (10-day IL, hand); Kyle Teel (10-day IL, ankle); Chris Murphy (15-day IL, flexor); Davis Martin (15-day IL, finger/blister); multiple 60-day IL pitchers including Drew Thorpe, Ky Bush, Prelander Berroa, Jordan Leasure, Mike Vasil, Brooks Baldwin, Tanner Murray. Position players mostly intact.
Weather Forecast (Rate Field / Chicago)
Partly cloudy to mostly sunny. Highs in the mid-70s°F (around 73–76°F), comfortable with northwest winds 5–10 mph. Lows in the low-to-mid 60s. Excellent conditions for a daytime game with very low precipitation chance.
Recent Team Forms
Mets (59-71, 5th NL East): Won Saturday to improve recent form (strong stretch of 12-5 in last 17 in some reports). Offense clicked with multiple HRs; pitching mixed but competitive. Road form improving slightly.
White Sox (67-62, 1st AL Central): Split the series so far after Friday’s walk-off. Strong at home (38-26 range) and division leaders. Capable of power surges; last 10 around 6-4 or better in stretches.
Series History / Head-to-Head
Series tied 1-1 entering Sunday after Friday’s White Sox win and Saturday’s Mets victory. Limited prior 2026 meetings; interleague matchup favors competitive, moderate-to-high scoring games at Rate Field given both teams’ power potential.
Key Player vs. Player Matchups
McLean (RHP, high-K, length) vs. White Sox power (Vargas, Murakami, Montgomery, Meidroth). McLean’s ability to work deep and miss bats will be tested against a home lineup that can string HRs together.
Newcomb (LHP, low-ERA multi-inning specialist) vs. Mets right-handed bats and speed/power (Robert, Bichette, Benge, Semien). Newcomb’s effectiveness limiting damage and inducing weak contact favors him early; Mets need to capitalize before the White Sox bullpen.
Bullpens and late innings: Both sides showed resilience (White Sox walk-off Friday; Mets multi-HR explosion Saturday). Robert’s familiarity with Rate Field and Vargas’s hot streak add intrigue. Rate Field can play as a power park with wind factors.
Betting Trends
Mets have shown recent offensive life and cover as road underdogs/favorites in stretches; White Sox strong at home and as slight underdogs. Recent series games went over (10-5 and 6-4). Pitching matchups lean toward controlled scoring but power can elevate totals.
GAME ODDS
New York Mets – 109
Chicago White Sox 8
Odds Courtesy of Sports Odds Direct as of Saturday, August 22, 2026
