CHICAGO WHITE SOX NOTES:
WHITE SOX AT A GLANCE
The Chicago White Sox have won two straight games but lost six of their last nine, eight of 12 and 20 of 32 as they continue this nine-game, 10-day trip today with the series opener at the Mets.
RHP Lucas Giolito, who has allowed two earned runs or less in six of his last seven starts, is scheduled to start for the Sox.
The White Sox opened the trip by winning two of three last weekend at Atlanta, including an 8-1 victory on Sunday afternoon.
Following this three-game series at Citi Field, Chicago will conclude the trip with three games at first-place Minnesota.
The White Sox are in fourth place in the American League Central, 8.5 games behind the division-leading Twins (48-47).
Chicago went 1-5 on their last homestand from 7/4-9 vs. Toronto (0-3) and St. Louis (1-2) and 3-4 on its last trip from 6/26-7/2 at Los Angeles-AL (2-2) and Oakland (1-2).
TONIGHT’S STORYLINES
Chicago is looking to win three consecutive games for the first time since a season-high, five-game winning streak from 6/2-8-1.
The Sox are 25-74 (.338) with fi ve doubles, three home runs, 14 runs scored and an .882 OPS in the last two games … they are 8-17 (.471) with eight RBI with RISP in the two-game span.
White Sox starters have allowed three earned runs or less in eight of their last 11 games since 7/1.
Lucas Giolito is 2-1 with a 2.45 ERA (12 ER/44.0 IP), 0.95 WHIP, .182 (29-159) average, .594 OPS and 48 strikeouts in his last seven starts … he has worked at 6.0 IP in six of the outings.
Giolito owns a 1.35 ERA (3 ER/20.0 IP) and 0.65 WHIP with just eight hits allowed (.123 average; 65 ABs) and 20 strikeouts in his last three starts vs. the National League.
Andrew Benintendi is hitting .356/.398/.456 (32-90) with nine doubles, 10 RBI, seven walks, 12 runs scored and 10 multi-hit eff orts in 22 games since moving to the leadoff spot on 6/17.
SUNDAY’S RECAP
Chicago scored eight times over the first six innings, including three multirun innings, in its 8-1 win over Atlanta.
The White Sox recorded their first series win since 6/23-25 vs. Boston, and first on the road since 6/6-8 at the Yankees.
The Sox scored four runs in the fourth and two in the fourth and sixth … Jake Burger hit a two-run homer and was followed by RBI singles from Tim Anderson and Luis Robert Jr. in the fourth … Robert Jr. added a two-run homer in the sixth.
Dylan Cease, a native and resident of Georgia, earned the win after allowing just one run on three hits in 5.0 IP … three White Sox relievers combined for 4.0 scoreless IP with six strikeouts.
Burger’s 461-ft. homer was a career long and longest by a Sox in 2023 … Robert Jr. matched his career high with four hits (fourth time), and Andrew Benintendi went 3-5 with three runs.
USE THE FORCE, LUCAS
Lucas Giolito owns a 2.45 ERA (12 ER/44.0 IP), .182 (29-159) opp. average, .594 OPS, 0.95 WHIP and 48 strikeouts in his last seven starts (fi ve QS) … he has allowed two earned runs or less six times and one or less three times during the seven-start span.
He ranks among the MLB leaders since 6/1 in average (2nd), on-base percentage (4th, .249), baserunners per 9.0 IP (4th, 8.80), ERA (T6th), WHIP (7th) and OPS (10th).
HOME RUN DERBY
Chicago’s Luis Robert Jr. (T3rd, 27) and New York’s Pete Alonso (5th, 26) rank among the MLB home run leaders in 2023.
Robert Jr. and Alonso each have hit 16 home runs of 400-plus feet this season, tied for the fifth-most in MLB.
Both players participated in the Home Run Derby at Seattle’s T-Mobile Park … Robert Jr. lost to Randy Arozarena in the semifinals, and Alonso fell to Julio Rodríguez in the first round.
ARMS RACE
White Sox pitchers have recorded a 3.76 ERA (206 ER/492.2 IP) in 55 games since 5/13, the second-best mark in the AL … the Sox lead MLB with a .226 opp. average during that span.
A breakdown of White Sox pitching through their first 40 games of the season and last 55 contests:
Games W-L ERA QS IP H R ER HR BB SO AVG OPS WHIP
Last 55 27-28 3.76 21 492.2 418 223 206 64 200 528 .226 .696 1.25
First 40 13-27 5.66 12 351.2 366 241 221 65 167 385 .263 .817 1.52
CLOSE CALLS
Sixty-two of Chicago’s 95 games (65.3 pct.) have been decided by three runs or less (27-35) … the Sox are 15-16 in one-run games and 5-8 in two-run games … 34 of the last 37 games since 6/2 at Detroit have been decided by four runs or less.
WHITE SOX VS. NEW YORK METS
The two clubs are playing for the first time since the Mets swept a three-game series from 7/30-8/1 at Guaranteed Rate Field (White Sox scored a total of four runs) … the Sox won two of three in the last meeting at Citi Field from 5/30-6/1.
Chicago is 6-7 in the all-time series, going 3-5 at Guaranteed Rate Field and 3-2 at Citi Field.
WINDY CITY MEETS THE BIG APPLE
White Sox INF Zach Remillard is a native of Cohoes, N.Y., located approximately 160 miles from Citi Field.
Sox 1B coach Daryl Boston played for NYM from 1990-92.
The following Mets’ played for Chicago: Omar Narváez (2016- 18), José Quintana (2012-16) and David Robertson (2015-17).
Mets third-base coach Joey Cora both played (1991-94) and coached (2004-11) with the White Sox.
INTERLEAGUE INSIGHT
Chicago is 10-14 vs. the National League this season (2-6 series mark), going 4-8 at Guaranteed Rate Field and 6-6 on the road … both series wins have come on the road (CIN and ATL).
The White Sox have lost seven of the last 12 and 11 of the last 19 interleague games … 10 of the last 12 games have been decided by four runs or less (four of the last seven by one run).
Luis Robert Jr. is hitting .371/.412/.787 (33-89) with nine home runs, 27 RBI and a 1.199 OPS in 23 games vs. the N.L.
ROBERT’S REMARKABLE RUN
Luis Robert Jr. was named to his first American League All-Star team … he is the first Sox center fi elder (primary position) to make the AL All-Star team since Chet Lemon from 1978-79.
Below is additional information from his season to date.
On pace for 46 home runs, which would rank second in franchise history behind Albert Belle’s 49 in 1998).
Joins the Dodgers’ Mookie Betts as the only players in MLB with 20+ 2B, 25+ HR, 50+ RBI and 60+ RS this season
Ranks sixth among MLB outfielders with seven defensive runs saved
Owns the club single-season record for homers by a center fi elder.
Is looking to become just the 10th White Sox with a 30+ 2B/30+ HR season, joining Frank Thomas (6x), José Abreu (5x), Paul Konerko (4x), Magglio Ordoñez (4x), Carlos Lee (2x), Belle (2x), Jermaine Dye (1x), Joe Crede (1x) and Robin Ventura (1x)
His 26 home runs tied for the fourth-most by a White Sox prior to the All-Star break, and were the most since 29 by Abreu in 2014
One of five players in franchise history (8x) to record 20-plus doubles and homers before the All-Star break, joining Thomas (1993-94, 2003), Abreu (2014, ’19), Dye (2008) and Ordóñez (2000)
GRAB SOME BENCH
The Sox lead MLB with 913 strikeouts and 9.73 per 9.0 IP … the 9.73 mark would be second-best in club history (10.18, 2021).
White Sox pitchers have struck out 10-plus batters a MLB-best 49 times in 2023, including 14 or more nine times (0-9 record).
Lance Lynn ranks fifth in the American League with 133 strikeouts, Dylan Cease is tied for seventh (129) and Lucas Giolito ranks 10th (117) … Lynn (4th, 11.05), Cease (5th, 10.78) and Giolito (12th, 9.37) rank among the AL leaders in SO/9.0 IP.
Lynn matched the franchise record (second time) with a career-high 16 strikeouts on 6/18 at Seattle (Sox lost, 5-1).
LONG BALL LOGISTICS
The Sox own two multi-homer eff orts in the last 13 games and have hit 36 homers in the last 27 games (28 solo shots).
The White Sox this season are 32-32 when homering, 16-11 in multi-homer games and 8-23 when homerless.
Luis Robert Jr. (2nd, 27) and Jake Burger (5th, 21) rank among the AL leaders in 2023 … Burger is the first Chicago third baseman with a 20-homer season since Yoán Moncada (25) in 2019.
ROTATION SENSATION
Sox starters own a 3.81 ERA and .234 opp. average in 55 games since 5/13 … during that span, they lead MLB with 10.04 strikeouts per 9.0 IP, rank third in average and fifth in ERA.
During the 55-game stretch, Sox starters have made nine scoreless outings, allowed one earned run or less 20 times and two earned runs or less 33 times … the rotation since 5/13:
W-L ERA WHIP QS IP H R ER HR BB SO SO/9.0 AVG OPS
14-15 3.81 1.28 21 290.1 257 131 123 42 115 324 10.0 .234 .728
SIGN HERE, PLEASE
The White Sox have signed 19 of their 20 picks in the 2023 First-Year Player Draft, including seventh-round pick OF George Wolkow and 11th-round selection 2B Rikuu Nishida.
Wolkow is a native of Downers Grove, Ill., and Nishida attended the University of Oregon and is a native of Osaka, Japan.
STARTING PITCHER – #27 ER LUCAS GIOLITO RHP
GIOLITO AT A GLANCE
Is scheduled to make his 20th start of the season, 10th on the road and first vs. the New York Mets.
Has gone 2-1 with a 2.45 ERA (12 ER/44.0 IP), .182 (29-159) opponents average, 0.95 WHIP, .594 OPS and 48 strikeouts over his last seven starts … has tossed 6.0-plus IP in 14 of his last 17 starts, and allowed two earned runs or less in 11.
Is 21 strikeouts away from becoming the 12th pitcher in White Sox history with 1,000 (10 strikeouts away from 1,000 in his career).
Finished sixth in the AL Cy Young Award voting in 2019, seventh in 2020 and tied for 11th in 2021.
Threw the 19th no-hitter in White Sox history on 8/25/20 vs. Pittsburgh, walking one with 13 strikeouts.
Won AL Pitcher of the Month honors in May 2019 and AL Player of Week for 8/24-30/20 and 5/27-6/2/19.
LAST START
Did not factor in the decision on 7/9 vs. St. Louis after allowing two runs on two hits (one home run) with three walks and five strikeouts.
Marked his 14th start throwing 6.0-plus IP this year, tied for the third-most in the American League.
Exited the game in the eighth with the game tied, 2-2 … Chicago would lose, 4-3.
Owned a 58.3 first-strike percentage and 8.9 swinging-strike percentage (12 swing and misses) vs. 24 batters … threw 90 pitches (57 strikes) with the following pitch breakdown: 33 changeups (81.1 mph avg; 82.7 mph max), 33 four-seam fastballs (93.1 avg; 94.8 max) and 24 sliders (84.5 avg; 86.4 max).
ON ONE SINCE JUNE 1
Lucas Giolito owns a 2.45 ERA (12 ER/44.0 IP), .182 (29-159) average, .594 OPS, 0.95 WHIP and 48 strikeouts in his last seven starts … has allowed two earned runs or less six times and one or less three times.
He ranks among the MLB leaders since 6/1 in average (2nd), on-base percentage (4th, .249), baserunners per 9.0 IP (4th, 8.80), ERA (T6th), WHIP (7th) and OPS (10th).
POSTING PUNCHOUTS
Has recorded 15 career starts with 10-plus strikeouts, tied for the fourth-most in White Sox history … needs one double-digit strikeout game to tie teammate Dylan Cease for third place (Cease reached 16 on 6/26).
Owns a 9.82 SO per 9.0 IP (48 SO) across his last seven starts, 11th-best in the American League since 6/6.
Recorded consecutive 10-plus strikeout games twice in his career: from 8/16-27/19 (three) and 8/20-25/20 (two).
THE QUALITY KID
Leads the team and is tied for seventh in the American League with 11 quality starts this season.
Six of his last 10 starts have been quality, including a 3.07 ERA (20 ER/58.2 IP) in that span.
Has made 82 quality starts in his career, fifth-most in the American League since 2017.
SUMMER LOVING
Ranks among 2023 American League leaders in opponents average (1st, .182), ERA (2nd, 2.45) and WHIP (3rd, 0.95) since 6/1.
Owns a 6-9 record with a 4.82 ERA (78 ER/145.2 IP), .251 (139-553) opponent batting average, 61 walks and 135 strikeouts lifetime in July.
COUNTRY ROADS
Owns a 4.71 ERA (26 ER/49.2 IP), .264 (52-197) opponents average, 20 walks and 55 strikeouts on the road, compared to a 2.44 ERA (17 ER/62.2 IP), .188 (42-224),
14 walks and 62 strikeouts at home this year.
Has allowed 10 earned runs in 21.2 IP (4.15 ERA) across his last four road starts compared to 16 earned runs in 28.0 IP (5.14) in his first five road starts this year.
BITTEN BY THE LONG BALL
Has surrendered 17 home runs this season, allowing one three-run homer, three two-run and 13 solo shots … has allowed nine homers on the road, eight at home, eight
vs. left-handed hitters and nine vs. righties.
Has allowed 68 home runs since the start of the 2021 season, fourth-most in baseball … is averaging 1.35 HR/9.0 IP during that span.
VS. NEW YORK METS || INTERLEAGUE
Is scheduled to make his fourth career start and second on the road against the New York Mets.
Owns a 0-0 record with a 3.07 ERA (5 ER/14.2 IP), .20411-54) opponents average, nine walks and 14 strikeouts.
Did not factor in the decision in his last start vs. the Mets on 7/31/19 at home … allowed one run on three hits with three walks and nine strikeouts across 7.0 IP.
Owns a career 7-8 record with a 4.65 ERA (71 ER/137.1 IP) in 24 career starts (11 quality) in interleague play.
NEW YORK METS NOTES:
METSCELLANEOUS: The Mets enjoyed a day off yesterday…On Sunday, the Mets defeated the Dodgers, 2-1, via walk-off in extra innings…The victory snapped a four game losing streak…New York continues the second-half with a seven-day, six-game homestand (1-2) against the Los Angeles Dodgers (1-2) and the Chicago White Sox (three games)…Following this series, the Mets hit the road for a five-game, six-day road trip to Boston (three games) and The Bronx (two games).
ROSTER MOVES: Yesterday, LHP T.J. McFarland and RHP Stephen Ridings were outrighted to Triple-A Syracuse…T.J. McFarland has elected free agency.
NO MINOR THING: On Sunday, Mike Vasil made his second start for Triple-A Syracuse…He tossed 6.0 innings and allowed two runs on four hits with two walks and struck out five…In 15 starts this season across Double-A and Triple-A, Vasil has posted a 2-3 record with a 4.52 ERA (35 ER/69.2 IP) with 20 walks and 80 strikeouts…Vasil was selected in the eight round of the 2021 First-Year Player Draft out of the University of Virginia…He is ranked as the eighth-best prospect in the Mets organization according to MLB.com.
EXTRA, EXTRA: The Mets recorded their fourth walk-off win of the season on Sunday…The team improved to 6-1 in extra-inning games with a victory on Sunday…The Mets are now 16-3 in extra-inning games since 2022, the best record during that span.
JULY! JULY! JULY!: The Mets are 7-4 through 11 games in this month… The team’s .636 winning percentage is tied for fourth in the National League…The Mets have posted a 2.91 ERA (32 ER/99.0 IP), the lowest ERA in July…Only the Mariners (2.50 ERA) have a lower mark in July.
DROVE TO CHICAGO, ALL THINGS GO: The Mets host the Chicago White Sox at Citi Field for the first time since 2016…The Mets are 7-6 all-time against the White Sox including a 2-3 mark at Citi Field…The Mets have hosted the White Sox in a two-game series from May 7-8, 2013 and a three-game set from May 30-June 1, 2016…Starling Marte is a lifetime .270.386/.426 hitter in 14 career games against the Sox, while Omar Narvaez has hit .361 (13-36) with four runs, a home runs and three RBI in 10 career contests…Daniel Vogelbach owns a .321 (9-28) mark with five runs, two doubles, three home runs and nine RBI in 10 career games…Francisco Lindor owns a .272/.344/.450 slashline with 33 extra-base hits and 37 RBI in 90 games against the White Sox.
THEY’RE OUT OF MY LEAGUE: The Mets tonight begin a stretch of eight consecutive games against American League opponents…The new schedule format has New York playing a total of 43 Interleague games in 2023, more than double their previous high for a single season (20)…The Mets are 10-10 against the American League this
year…Overall, New York owns a 245-237 record in Interleague play… The team’s .508 winning percentage is the second-best among National League clubs.
INTERLEAGUE PETE: Pete Alonso has hit 37 home runs in Interleague Play since the 2019 season…His 37 home runs against the American League is a franchise record, and the most among any player since 2019…Mike Piazza was the previous record holder with 28 Interleague home runs.
ALL-AMERICAN: Starling Marte has slashed .325/.385/.538 with 47 doubles, 11 triples, 29 home runs and 93 RBI in 189 career Interleague games…Jeff McNeil has batted .320 (103-322) with 41 runs, 15 doubles, seven home runs, 39 RBI, 22 walks with a .370 OBP and a .432 SLG in 87 career games against the American League…Marte’s .325 average ranks third, while McNeil’s .320 average ranks fourth among active players in Interleague games.
DR. ROBERTSON: David Robertson tossed 2.0 scoreless innings on Sunday…It was the second time this season he tossed at least 2.0 innings…He is 1-0 with a save and has not allowed a run in those appearances, striking out five in the process…The veteran righthander has posted a 4-2 record with 12 saves and a 1.96 ERA (9 ER/41.1 IP) in 37 appearances this season…He has walked 11, while striking out 47…He ranks 12th in ERA among major league relievers and sixth in the NL…He is tied for 21st in the NL with 47 punchouts as a reliever…He is holding left-handed hitters to a .182 (14-77) average this year.
SECOND HALF SQUAD: The Mets are 270-239 in the second half since 2015 (not including 2020)…New York has only posted a losing second half twice during that time frame (2021 and 2017)…New York’s .531 winning percentage during that span is the fourth-best in the NL, behind Los Angeles (.627), St. Louis (.596) and Chicago (.576).
IN THE CITI: The Mets have played 42 games at Citi Field this season, tied for the fewest home games in the majors…The Phillies have also played 42 games at home this year…New York is 21-21 at Citi Field this season, posting a 3.88 ERA.
POWER UP: Brandon Nimmo has hit 14 home runs this season… He is three away from matching his career-high of 17, which he accomplished in 2018…Nimmo has hit six home runs in his last 15 games…All 14 of his home runs have come against right-handed pitchers.
IF YOU START ME UP: The Mets are 28-5 when the starting pitcher throws at least 6.0 innings…New York has gone 13-1 when its starter pitches 7.0+ innings and are a perfect 4-0 when the starter completes 8.0 innings.
BROOKS WAS HERE: Since returning from the IL on May 14, Brooks Raley has posted a 0.83 ERA (2 ER/21.2 IP) over 26 games…Raley has 17 holds, tied for the fourth-most in the NL and tied for the seventh-most in the majors. ..In 21 games at Citi Field this season, Raley has posted a 1.62 ERA 93 ER/16.2 IP) with four walks and 14 punchouts.
STEAL MY SUNSHINE: New York has been successful in all 13 of their stolen base attempts in July, bringing their season tally to 74 steals in 81 attempts…Their 74 steals are tied for ninth in the majors and tied for fifth in the NL…The team’s 91.4 percent success rate is the best in the majors…The Mets had a franchise-record run of 35 consecutive stolen bases without being caught from May 14-June 29…Overall, New York has been successful in 48 of their last 49 stolen base attempts…Starling Marte has swiped 24 bags this year, sixth in the majors and third in the National League…His 338 career stolen bases rank second among active players…Elvis Andrus is the active leader with 341 steals.
STARTING PITCHER – CARLOS CARRASCO RHP #59
2023 STATS: 3-3, 5.16 E R A
LAST TIME OUT: Threw a season-high 8.0 shutout innings against the Diamondbacks at Chase Field on July 6…Allowed three hits and one walk while
striking out four batters in a 9-0 Mets victory.
KNOCKING THEIR SOX OFF: Carrasco will face Chicago-AL for the first time this season…Carrasco will be making his 31st appearance against the White Sox in his career, making his 27th start against the Southsiders…In his last appearance against the White Sox on September 26, 2019 at Guaranteed Rate Field while with Cleveland, he threw 1.1 innings in relief, allowing two earned runs on three hits and a walk while fanning one batter…His last win against the White Sox came on May 14, 2019, after throwing 7.0 scoreless innings, allowing six hits while striking out six…Throughout his career against Chicago-AL, Carrasco has pitched to a 4.24 ERA (75 ER/163.0 IP) and holds a 10-12 record…Carrasco holds a 7-6 record with a 3.98 ERA (38 ER/86.0 IP) on the road compared to a 3-6 record and a 4.32 ERA (33 ER/77.0 IP) when at home.
COOKIE CRISP: In his start against the Giants on June 30, Carrasco tallied a season-high 18 whiffs and six whiffs on four-seam fastballs…According to Baseball Savant, Carrasco also currently stands in the 80th percentile in curve spin.
COOKIE’S COMEBACK: In his starts on May 25 and May 31 against Chicago-NL and Philadelphia, respectively, Carrasco allowed just two runs over 12.2 innings compared to 18 runs allowed across the 18.2 innings he threw in his first four starts of the season…In those 12.2 innings, Carrasco fanned eight batters, which equals the total strikeouts he tallied in his first three starts of the year.
