CHICAGO WHITE SOX NOTES:
WHITE SOX AT A GLANCE
The Chicago White Sox have won six of their last eight games, eight of 11, nine of 13 and 15 of 25 as they continue a seven-game trip this afternoon with the penultimate contests at Detroit.
RHP Jesse Scholtens, who allowed one earned run in 5.0 IP in his last appearance on Monday, is scheduled to start for Chicago.
The Sox are 3-2 on the trip after splitting the first two games at the Tigers and winning two of three from 5/22-24 at Cleveland.
Following tomorrow’s series finale at the Tigers, the White Sox will return to Guaranteed Rate Field for a six-game, seven-day homestand vs. the Angels (5/29-31) and Tigers (6/2-4).
The Sox are in fourth place in the AL Central, 3.0 games behind second-place Detroit and 5.0 behind first-place Minnesota.
The Sox went 6-3 on their last homestand from 5/12-21 vs. Houston (1-2), Cleveland (2-1) and Kansas City (3-0) and 3-4 on the last trip from 5/5-11 at Cincinnati (2-1) and the Royals (1-3).
TODAY’S STORYLINES
Chicago is trying to move within eight games of the .500 mark for the first time since 4/23 (7-15), and within 4.0 games of first place in the division for the first time since 4/22 (also -4.0 GB).
The White Sox are 15-10 over the last 25 games since 4/30 following a 7-21 start to the season … Sox pitchers own a MLB-best 2.45 ERA (36 ER/132.1 IP) in 14 games since 5/11.
Chicago starters own a 2.63 ERA (25 ER/85.2 IP) and .200 average with 74 strikeouts in the last 15 games (11 quality starts).
White Sox relievers own a 1.46 ERA (6 ER/37.0 IP), .146 (18- 123) opp. average and .442 OPS in the last 12 games … 10 of the games have been scoreless and four have been hitless.
The Sox are 8-2 and own a 73-30 edge in runs scored over the last 10 games at Comerica Park.
Andrew Benintendi has hit safely in 12 of his last 13 games, going 16-48 (.333) with six doubles, a triple and four RBI.
LAST NIGHT’S RECAP
Chicago scored in six innings, including three frames with three runs, and recorded 17 hits in its 12-3 victory at Detroit.
The Sox took a 3-0 lead in the fi rst on Andrew Vaughn’s RBI double and Yasmani Grandal’s two-run single.
The White Sox added to the lead on Andrew Benintendi’s RBI triple in the second, Yoán Moncada’s RBI triple in the fifth and Vaughn’s two-run homer in the fi fth … they added three more runs in the eighth and one in the ninth to cap the scoring.
Lance Lynn improved to 4-5 after allowing three runs (one earned) on three hits with five walks and five strikeouts … three relievers combined to work 3.0 scoreless and hitless IP.
Tim Anderson matched a career high with four hits and led six Sox with multihit eff orts … Chicago’s three triples were its most since 9/9/17 vs. San Francisco.
THE TIMES ARE CHANGIN’
Chicago is 15-10 (.600) since 4/30, the best record among AL Central clubs and tied for the fifth-best in the AL.
The White Sox have made up 4.0 games on first-place Minnesota in the AL Central standings since 4/30 (-9.0 GB).
The Sox 3.59 ERA since 4/30 is the fifth-best in the majors.
A breakdown of the White Sox first 53 games this season:
W-L AVG R R/G HR OBP SLG OPS ERA IP QS ER HR SO
15-10 .257 121 4.8 28 .310 .413 .723 3.59 223.1 14 89 28 214
7-21 .227 106 3.8 26 .288 .367 .655 5.88 243.1 8 159 44 272
ROTATION SENSATION
White Sox starters own a 2.63 ERA (25 ER/85.2 IP), .200 opponents average and 74 strikeouts over the last 15 games since 5/11 … they lead MLB in opp. average and OPS (.605), rank second in ERA and fi fth in WHIP (1.11) during that span.
Starters have allowed three runs or less 12 times, two or less nine times and one or less six times … the rotation since 5/11:
W-L ERA WHIP QS IP H R ER HR BB SO SO/9.0 AVG OPS
8-4 2.63 1.11 11 85.2 61 29 25 7 34 74 7.7 .200 .605
REST WHEN YOU CAN
The Sox currently are in a stretch of 16 straight games without a day off and are 14-10 during the current stretch of 29 games in 30 days from 5/2-31 (only off days in May are 5/1 and 5/15).
The 29-game stretch includes 15 games at home, 14 on the road and 20 vs. the American League Central … the White Sox play six of seven series from 5/5-28 vs. teams below .500.
ELOY ON THE MEND
OF Eloy Jiménez is 1-8 (.125) with two RBI and three walks in three rehab games with Class AA Birmingham … he has been on the IL since 5/8 (retro to 5/7) due to an appendectomy on 5/6.
WHITE SOX VS. DETROIT TIGERS
The Sox and Tigers, who are separated by 3.0 games in the division, have split the first two games with 11 remaining in 2023.
The Sox are hitting .288/.316/.479 with two home runs, own a 4.24 ERA (8 ER/17.0 IP) with one quality start and have outscored the Tigers by a 14-margin this season.
The White Sox went 12-7 last season, going 5-5 at home and 7-2 on the road, and outscored the Tigers by a 100-59 margin.
Chicago is 46-22 since the start of the 2019 season and 34-16 since the start of the 2020 season vs. the Tigers … it has won 15 of the last 22 contests at Comerica Park, including eight of the last 10 following last year’s Opening Day loss in Detroit.
COMFORTS OF COMERICA
The White Sox have won eight of the last 10 games, 15 of 22 and 21 of 33 at Comerica Park … the Sox have outscored the Tigers by a 210-135 margin in the last 33 contests.
The Sox are hitting .301/.341/.477 with 12 homers and 73 runs scored (7.3 R/G) over the last 10 games at Detroit … they have recorded 10-plus hits seven times and scored 10-plus four times.
Chicago has not lost a series at Detroit since 9/20-21/21 (0-2).
CENTRAL DIVISION DYNAMICS
Chicago is 12-9 vs. the American League Central, including a 5-7 mark on the road … it currently is in a stretch of 13 straight games vs. the division (8-3 record).
Following this week’s trip, the Sox will play just three games vs. the AL Central (6/2-4 vs. Detroit) through the All-Star break.
The White Sox went 37-39 vs. the AL Central in 2022 (18-19 at home; 19-20 on the road) after going 69-47 from 2020-21.
PROVIDING RELIEF
The White Sox bullpen owns a 2.61 ERA (22 ER/76.0 IP) and .196 (54-275) opponents average with 71 strikeouts and just five home runs allowed over 24 games in May.
Sox relievers rank among the MLB May leaders in opp. average (2nd), opp. OPS (2nd, .588), WHIP (2nd, 1.11) and ERA (2nd).
By comparison, relievers recorded a 6.68 ERA, .290 average, .885 OPS and a 1.76 WHIP in the fi rst 29 games from 3/30-4/30.
Joe Kelly has retired 34 of the last 36 batters he has faced, including 16 by strikeout … he owns a 10.2 scoreless IP streak.
POSTING PUNCHOUTS
White Sox pitchers are tied with Atlanta and Houston for second in MLB with 486 strikeouts, trailing Minnesota (506).
Sox starters rank second in MLB with 296 strikeouts, 21 behind the Twins (317) … relievers rank fifth in the AL (190 SO).
LONGBALL LOGISTICS
The White Sox (Jake Burger; Luis Robert Jr.) are one of eight teams with multiple players to hit 10-plus home runs this season, joining Atlanta (five), Tampa Bay (four), the Angels (three), the Dodgers (two), Minnesota, (two), Yankees (two) and Texas (two).
The White Sox have homered in 18 of its last 25 games since 4/30 (28 total homers), and hit 31 in its last 28 games since 4/27.
The Sox have recorded nine multihomer eff orts and been held without a home run just eight times over the last 27 contests.
Chicago is 17-18 when homering, 7-7 when hitting multiple homers and 5-13 when going homerless this season.
LONGBALL LOGISTICS, PART II
Luis Robert Jr. (13) and Jake Burger (10) lead the White Sox in home runs this season.
Robert Jr. is tied for eighth in MLB with nine 400-plus foot homers in 2023 … Jorge Soler leads the majors with 14 … Robert Jr. is averaging 407 ft. and 107.2 mph on his 12 homers, including max values of 430 ft. on 5/9 at K.C., and 113.6 mph on 5/14 vs. Houston.
Robert Jr. has recorded 400-plus foot distances on 34 of his 49 career home runs … he leads the Sox since the start of 2020 with homer averages of 411 feet and 107.6 mph exit velocity (min. 10 home runs).
Burger ranks fourth in the AL with 11.20 at bats per homer this season (minimum 100 plate apps.) … he is averaging 405 feet on his 19 career
home runs, and 13 have traveled an estimated 400-plus feet.
HOORAY FOR MAY
Luis Robert Jr. is hitting .329/.402/.707 (27-82) with seven doubles, eight homers (averaging 427 ft. and 108.6 mph EV), 16 RBI, 21 runs scored, seven walks and a 1.109 OPS in May (23 G).
He ranks among AL May leaders in total bases (1st, 58), extra-base hits (1st, 15), home runs (T1st), runs scored (T1st), slugging percentage (3rd), OPS (3rd), hits (T7th), doubles (T7th), average (11th) and on-base percentage (13th).
The last White Sox to win American League Player of the Month honors was 1B José Abreu in August 2021 … Abreu also is the last Sox to hit 10-plus home runs in a month (11 in August 2020)
STARTER – #62 JESSE SCHOLTENS RHP
SCHOLTENS AT A GLANCE
Is scheduled to make his first major-league start (fourth appearance) today against Detroit.
Is the first rookie and seventh pitcher to start a game for the White Sox this this season.
Made his MLB debut on 4/7/23 at Pittsburgh, a day after his 29th birthday, allowing one run on three hits with two walks and four strikeouts over 3.0 IP in relief.
Signed a minor-league contract with the White Sox on 12/20/22 … has his contract selected by Chicago on 4/7 … was optioned to Class AAA Charlotte on 4/13 and recalled on 5/22.
Was originally selected by San Diego in the ninth round of the 2016 First-Year Player Draft out of Wright State University in Dayton, OH.
LAST TIME OUT
Suffered the loss in his last appearance on 5/22 at Cleveland … entered the game in the second inning for opener Jimmy Lambert … allowed one run on two hits with two walks and one strikeout over a career-high 5.0 IP.
Gabriel Arias score on a wild pitch in the second … retired 11 of his final 12 batters faced … exited in the seventh inning with the White Sox trailing, 1-0 … threw 67 pitches (40 strikes) … the Sox would go on to lose, 3-0.
2023 SEASON REVIEW
Has made three appearances for the White Sox this year, allowing three runs (two earned) over 8.0 IP (2.25 ERA) … has struck out five batters and walked four … is limiting opponents to a .214 (6-28) average.
Is 2-2 with a 3.99 ERA (17 ER/38.1 IP), .230 (32-139) opponents average, 42 strikeouts and 11 walks in seven starts with Class AAA Charlotte in 2023.
Pitched a season-high tying 6.0 scoreless IP on 5/3 at Gwinnett, surrendering three hits with two walks and four strikeouts.
Has allowed no earned runs in two of his last three starts with the Knights … owns a 2.55 ERA (5 ER/17.2 IP), 12 strikeouts and four walks in that span.
VS. DETROIT TIGERS || A.L. CENTRAL
Is scheduled to make his first career appearance against the Tigers, his fourth team faced in his career.
Is 0-2 with a 1.80 ERA (1 ER/5.0 IP) in two appearances against the American League Central … is limiting opponents to a .188 (3-16) average with two walks and one strikeout and no home runs allowed.
DETROIT TIGERS NOTES:
TIGERS FALL TO THE WHITE SOX, 12-3: The Tigers lost to the White Sox, 12-3, on Friday night. Zach McKinstry reached base four times, drawing three walks for the second straight game and going 1×2 with a run scored. Akil Baddoo finished the game 1×3 with a RBI. Joey Wentz started for the Tigers and took the loss, giving up five runs on six hits with two walks and four strikeouts in 4.0 innings.
ZACH ATTACK: Zach McKinstry continued to excel in the leadoff spot last night, finishing the game 1×2 with a run scored and three walks. McKinstry has drawn three walks in consecutive games, the first Tigers player to do so since Robbie Grossman from April 1-3, 2021. Over his last six games, McKinstry has reached base safely 16 times. For the season, he has a .403 on-base percentage, which ranks fourth in the American League.
WHAT CAN BADDOO DO FOR YOU?: Akil Baddoo finished last night’s game 1×3 with a RBI and a walk. Baddoo has recorded at least one hit in nine of his last 15 games, over which he is hitting .325/.426/.525 with two doubles, two home runs and 10 RBI.
TAKE YOUR BASE: The Tigers continued to show patience at the plate last night, drawing seven walks. Over the last six games, Detroit has taken 44 free passes, which is the most in a six-game span since also drawing 44 walks from June 13- 18, 1995. After finishing last season with a 6.5% walk rate, the Tigers have increased their walk rate to 9.1% thus far in 2023, which ranks third in the American League.
GET SHORTY: Zack Short made the first pitching appearance of his professional career last night, allowing a run on three hits in the ninth inning. Short became the second Tigers position player to pitch this season, joining Zach McKinstry on April 8 vs. Boston.
TIGERS AND WHITE SOX: The Tigers and White Sox continue their 13-game season series this afternoon. Detroit went 7-12 against Chicago (AL) last season, including a 2-7 record at Comerica Park. The White Sox have won the season series over the Tigers in each of the last
four seasons.
AGAINST THE AL CENTRAL: The Tigers continue divisional play today against the White Sox. Detroit is 7-4 against American League Central teams so far this season, going 1-1 vs. Chicago (AL), 4-2 vs. Cleveland and 2-1 vs. Kansas City. The Tigers have finished below .500 against AL Central foes in each of the last five 162-game seasons, including a 34-42 record last season.
AT COMERICA PARK: The Tigers are 1-1 on their current seven-game homestand, which includes four games vs. Chicago (AL) (1-1) and three games vs. Texas (May 29-31). Detroit is 11-11 at Comerica Park this season. As a team, the Tigers are hitting .233/.311/.357, while the pitching staff has posted a 4.54 ERA (202.0IP/102ER).
INJURY REHAB UPDATE: Kerry Carpenter began an injury rehab assignment with Triple A Toledo last night, starting at designated hitter and going
0x3. Carpenter has been sidelined since April 29 with a right shoulder sprain.
TIGERS ON THE IL:
- RHP Beau Brieske (right upper arm discomfort, 60-day IL on March 30, retroactive to March 27)
- OF Kerry Carpenter (right shoulder sprain, 10-day IL on April 29, retroactive to April 28)
- RHP Matt Manning (right foot fracture, 60-day IL on April 12)
- OF Austin Meadows (anxiety, 60-day IL on April 8, retroactive to April 7)
- RHP Casey Mize (right elbow sprain, 60-day IL on February 17)
- RHP Freddy Pacheco (right elbow sprain, 60-day IL on March 27)
- LHP Tarik Skubal (left elbow strain, 60-day IL on March 14)
- RHP Spencer Turnbull (neck discomfort, 15-day IL on May 12, retroactive to May 7)
- RHP Trey Wingenter (right biceps tendinitis, 15-day IL on April 22, retroactive to April 19)
TODAY’S TIGERS STARTING PITCHER – #21 Michael Lorenzen • 2-2, 4.08 ERA (39.2IP/18ER)
- Lorenzen will make his eighth start of the season today against the White Sox.
- Received a no decision in his last start on Monday at Kansas City, allowing five runs on five hits with two walks and five strikeouts in 5.2 innings.
- Threw at least 6.0 innings and allowed one run-or-less in three consecutive starts from May 3 (Game 2)-May 16, the longest streak of his career…went 2-1 with a 0.90 ERA (20.0IP/2ER) and 11 strikeouts in that stretch.
- Has faced the White Sox six times in his career, including three times as a starter, posting a 1-0 record with a 3.63 ERA (22.1IP/9ER) and 15 strikeouts…in five career outings, including four starts, at Comerica Park, he has a 3-0 record with a 3.04 ERA (23.2IP/8ER) and 16 strikeouts.
- Started 18 games with the Angels in 2022 and went 8-6 with a 4.24 ERA (97.2IP/46ER) and 85 strikeouts…finished the season strong, posting a 2-0 record with a 2.36 ERA (26.2IP/7ER) and 30 strikeouts over five starts from September 9-October 4.
