CHICAGO WHITE SOX NOTES:
WHITE SOX AT A GLANCE
The Chicago White Sox have lost 10 of the last 14 games, 12 of 17 and 24 of 37 as they conclude this nine-game, 10-day trip this afternoon with the finale at Minnesota.
RHP Lucas Giolito, who has allowed two runs or less in six of his last eight outings, is scheduled to start for the White Sox.
The Sox have lost the first two games at Target Field after losing two of three at the Mets and winning two of three at Atlanta.
The White Sox are in fourth place in the American League Central, 11.0 games behind the division-leading Twins (52-48).
Following today’s series finale at Target Field and an off day tomorrow, the White Sox begin a six-game homestand vs. the Cubs (7/25-26) and Cleveland (7/27-30).
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).
TODAY’S STORYLINES
The White Sox are a season-high 11.0 games out of first place and 18 games under .500 for the first time since 9/28/19 (71-89).
The Sox are trying to avoid being swept for the fourth time this season, and at Target Field for the first time since 4/22-24/22.
Six of the eight games between the White Sox and Twins this season have been decided by two runs or less (Sox are 3-3).
Lucas Giolto is 4-3 with a 2.55 ERA (19 ER/67.0 IP), .171 (40-234) opponents average, .550 OPS and 70 strikeouts in his last 11 starts vs. Minnesota … he has allowed two earned runs or less nine times, including in each of the last seven outings.
Andrew Benintendi is hitting .339/.390/.446 (38-112) with nine doubles, a homer, 12 RBI, 10 walks, 16 runs and 12 multi-hit efforts in 27 games since moving to the leadoff spot on 6/17… he ranks sixth in the American League in average since 6/17.
Tim Anderson is 12-32 (.375) with a double, three RBI, three walks, a HBP and four runs scored in eight second-half games.
LAST NIGHT’S RECAP
Luis Robert Jr. struck out with the tying and go-ahead runs on base to end the game as Minnesota held on for a 3-2 win.
The Twins scored twice on Christian Vazquez’s RBI double and Michael A. Taylor’s RBI single to take a one-run lead.
The Sox scored their runs in the third on Tim Anderson’s steal of home on a double steal and Yasmani Grandal’s RBI single.
Dylan Cease received his ninth ND in his last 10 starts after allowing one run on three hits with nine strikeouts in 6.0 IP.
Anderson’s steal of home was the first of his career, and first by a White Sox since Billy Hamilton on 9/26/21 at Cleveland … Chicago went 1-9 with RISP and left 10 on base.
USE THE FORCE, LUCAS
Lucas Giolito owns a 3.78 ERA (20 ER/47.2 IP), .200 (29-159) opp. average, .277 OBP, 1.11 WHIP and 53 strikeouts in his last eight starts (five QS) … he has allowed two earned runs or less six times and one or less three times during the eight-start span.
He ranks among the MLB leaders since 6/1 in average (2nd), on-base percentage (8th), baserunners per 9.0 IP (12th, 10.20) and strikeouts per 9.0 IP (T11th, 10.01).
CLOSE CALLS
Sixty-four of Chicago’s 100 games (64.0 pct.) this season have been decided by three runs or less (27-37).
The White Sox are 15-17 in one-run games and 5-8 in two-run games in 2023 … 38 of the last 42 games since 6/2 at Detroit have been decided by four runs or less (16-22 record).
The Sox 15 wins in one-run games are tied for fifth-most in the American League and 12th in MLB.
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.
Is on pace for 45 home runs, which be four shy of tying the franchise record set by OF Albert Belle (49) in 1998
Is the only player in the major leagues with 20+ 2B, 25+ HR, 50+ RBI, 60+ RS and 10+ SB this season
Ranks second in the American League with a 1.042 OPS vs. LHP
Is tied for sixth among MLB OFs with seven defensive runs saved
Owns the single-season club 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 homers tied for the fourth-most by a Sox prior to the break
One of fi ve players in franchise history (8x) to record 20-plus doubles and homers before the All-Star break
WHITE SOX VS. MINNESOTA TWINS
The Sox are 3-5 vs. the Twins in 2023 … the two clubs split the first six games, with each team winning two of three at home.
The White Sox are hitting .216/.285/.338 with eight home runs, own a 3.08 ERA (25 ER/73.0 IP) and have been outscored, 35-26.
Chicago is 30-26 vs. Minnesota since the start of the 2020 season (19-10 at home) after going 20-37 from 2017-19.
The White Sox have gone 5-12 at Target Field since 8/10/21, including 10 games decided by three runs or less.
The Sox are 1-4-1 over the last six season series since 2017.
MINNESOTA NICE
Tim Anderson is 20-55 (.364) with three home runs, eight RBI and five multi-hit eff orts in his last 13 games at the Twins.
Andrew Benintendi has hit safely in 17 of his last 18 games vs. the Twins, going 25-72 (.347) with a home run and five RBI.
Eloy Jiménez is 9-20 (.450) with two home runs and six RBI in five games vs. Minnesota this season.
Luis Robert Jr. is 15-44 (.341) with four home runs, 11 RBI and a 1.125 OPS in his last 12 games vs. the Twins.
CENTRAL DIVISION DYNAMICS
The White Sox are playing an American League Central division opponent for the first time since 6/2-4 vs. Detroit.
Chicago is 15-13 vs. the AL Central, including a 10-2 mark at Guaranteed Rate Field … the Sox have lost eight of the last 11 games, including fi ve of the last six, on the road vs. the division.
The White Sox went 37-39 in 2022 and 69-47 from 2020-21.
STARTING PITCHER – #27 LUCAS GIOLITO RHP
GIOLITO AT A GLANCE
Is scheduled to make his 21st start of the season, 11th on the road and third vs. the Minnesota Twins.
Is 16 strikeouts away from becoming the 12th pitcher in White Sox history with 1,000 (five strikeouts away from 1,000 in his career).
Has gone 6-6 with a 3.53 ERA (42 ER/107.0 IP), .211 (83-393) opponents average, 1.13 WHIP, .698 OPS and 113 strikeouts over his last 18 starts … has tossed 6.0-
plus IP in 14 of those starts, and allowed two earned runs or less in 11.
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
Suffered the loss on 7/18 at New York-NL after allowing a season-high eight runs on six hits, including a season-high three home runs, with five walks and five strikeouts over a season-low tying 3.2 IP.
Marked his fourth career start allowing eight-plus runs (last on 6/17/22 at Houston, also eight).
Exited the game in the fourth with the White Sox trailing, 2-8, … Chicago lost, 11-10.
Owned a 54.5 first-strike percentage and 9.9 swinging-strike percentage (11 swing and misses) vs. 22 batters … threw 100 pitches (61 strikes) with the following pitch breakdown: 36 four-seam fastballs (92.4 mph avg; 94.1 mph max), 34 changeups (80.3 avg; 82.0 max), 24 sliders (82.9 avg; 85.0 max) and six curveballs (77.5 avg; 78.3 max).
SOLID SINCE JUNE 1
Lucas Giolito owns a 3.78 ERA (20 ER/47.2 IP), .200 (35-175) average, .688 OPS, 1.11 WHIP and 53 strikeouts in his last eight starts … has allowed two earned runs or less six times and one or less three times.
He ranks among the American League leaders since 6/1 in opponents average (3rd) and on-base percentage (9th, .277).
THE QUALITY KID
Leads the team and is tied for eighth in the American League with 11 quality starts this season.
Six of his last 11 starts have been quality with a 4.04 ERA (28 ER/62.1 IP) in that span.
Has made 82 quality starts in his career, fifth-most in the American League since 2017.
BUMPY ROADS
Owns a 5.74 ERA (34 ER/53.1 IP), .272 (58-213) opponents average, 25 walks and 60 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 18 earned runs in 25.1 IP (6.39 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.
VS. MINNESOTA TWINS || A.L. CENTRAL
Is scheduled to make his 23rd career start against Minnesota and 12th at Target Field.
Has gone 4-3 with a 2.25 ERA (14 ER/56.0 IP), .172 (33-192) opponents average, 19 walks and 58 strikeouts across his last nine starts (six quality), allowing two runs or less eight times.
Is 0-1 with a 1.38 ERA (2 ER/13.0 IP), .149 (7-47) opponents average, five walks and 14 strikeouts over his two starts this season.
Did not factor in the decision in his last start vs. Minnesota on 5/4 in Chicago … allowed one run on two hits (one home run) with three walks and seven strikeouts across 7.0 IP.
Owns a career 30-25 record with a 3.71 ERA (185 ER/449.1 IP) in 77 career starts (42 quality) against the American League Central.
MINNESOTA TWINS NOTES:
THE TWINS: After completing their seven-game, West Coast road-trip with a record of 5-2 (3-0 at Oakland and 2-2 at Seattle), the Twins began their six-game homestand with consecutive victories over the White Sox…today, they will play the three-game series finale with the Sox… Minnesota will continue the homestand tomorrow night with the first of three against the Mariners, through Wednesday…the Twins have gone 28-22 at home and 24-26 on the road.
In 15 games since July 3, the Twins have scored 5.4 runs-per-game…additionally, they have scored at least five runs in seven of their last nine games.
Of the Twins’ 62 remaining games, they have an opponent winning percentage of .477, the second-lowest strength of schedule, trailing only the White Sox (.467).
CHRISTIAN ROCKS THE SOX: The Twins beat the White Sox last night at Target Field by a score of 3-2, securing the series win, their 15th this season and ninth at home…Sonny Gray was the starter but did not factor into the decision, allowing two runs on seven hits in 6.0 innings pitched, with one walk and four strikeouts…Jordan Balazovic earned his first major league win, pitching a scoreless seventh inning…the offense recorded six hits and were led by Christian Vázquez, who went 2-for-3 with two doubles and a game-tying RBI…Carlos Correa also had two hits, one double and an RBI on the night…Minnesota finished 4-for-9 with RISP.
MIDWEST MASH-UP: Twins and White Sox are playing the ninth of 13 meetings this season… Minnesota has gone 5-3 against the Sox this season, going 4-1 at Target Field and 1-2 at Guaranteed Rate Field…they will meet for a final time this season for a four-game series at Guaranteed Rate Field from September 14-17.
Since 2015, the Twins have gone 83-68 against the Sox, their most wins against any opponent in that span.
Four of the eight games between these two teams this season have been decided by one run and six have been decided by two runs.
The Twins have beat the Sox 69 times (53 losses) at Target Field (since 2010), second most against any opponent (Kansas City – 72).
Christian Vázquez is hitting .342 (40-for-117) with seven doubles, one home run, 17 RBI, nine walks, a .389 on-base percentage and an .816 OPS in 37 career games vs. the Sox.
BYRON SOX-TON: Byron Buxton is hitting .269 (7-for-26) with one double, four home runs, eight RBI, six walks, a .406 on-base percentage, a .769 slugging percentage and a 1.175 OPS in eight games vs. the White Sox this season…for his career, Buxton is hitting .279 (72-for-258) with 21 doubles, one triple, 19 home runs, 45 RBI, 50 runs scored and a .925 OPS in 75 games vs. the White Sox…below are his first 48 career games vs. the Sox (June 22, 2015-June 29, 2019), compared to his last 27 (June 30, 2019-present):
AVG R H 2B HR RBI BB K OBP SLG OPS
FIRST 48 .234 27 37 13 7 21 11 46 .291 .449 .740
LAST 27 .350 23 35 8 12 24 9 30 .405 .810 1.215
ALSO: Buxton’s 19 career home runs and 45 RBI against the Sox are his most against any opponent.
THE BOYS OF SUMMER: Since the All-Star break, the Twins have gone 7-2, leading baseball in wins in that span…below are the offensive numbers and MLB ranks pre-All-Star break vs. post-All-Star break:
AVG R/G H HR BB OBP SLG OPS TB BA/RISP
PRE: .232 (25) 4.2 (24) 708 (22) 115 (8) 297 (16) .309 (25) .400 (20) .709 (22) 1219 (20) .242 (25)
POST: .266 (7) 6.0 (5) 82 (T-4) 18 (1) 38 (T-3) .355 (6) .513 (1) .868 (2) 158 (1) .293 (9)
BROOM BREAKDOWN: The Twins are seeking their fifth sweep of the season today…their pre- vious four sweeps were March 30-April 2 at Kansas City (3 games), June 13-14 vs. Milwaukee (2 games), July 3-5 vs. Kansas City (3 games) and July 14-16 at Oakland (3 games)…last season, they swept opponents eight times, all in three games.
The last time the Twins swept the Sox was in three games here from April 22-24, 2022.
Minnesota is 4-4 in series finales when there’s an opportunity to sweep.
Since 2017, the Twins have swept the White Sox six times…the only teams they have swept more in that time frame are the Royals (9 times) and the Tigers (8 times).
FOLLOW THE LEADER: Carlos Correa has led off in 17 of the club’s last 18 games, since June 30…since that date, he has reached safely in 15 of 17 games, hitting .309 (21-for-68) with a
.390 on-base percentage and an .831 OPS, while leading the team in hits and times on base (30).
Post-All-Star break over the last two seasons combined, he is hitting .303 (87-for-287) with an .868 OPS in 74 games.
EXCELLENT ‘PENMANSHIP: In nine games since the All-Star break, the Twins bullpen has combined to go 5-0, 2.40 ERA (30.0 IP, 8 ER), with eight walks, 30 strikeouts, an opponent batting average of .179 (19-for-106) and an opponent OPS of .590.
Notable individuals since the break: Jordan Balazovic has pitched 3.0 scoreless innings with three hits allowed…Jovani Moran has pitched 4.0 no-hit innings…Emilio Pagán has pitched 6.0 shutout innings with one hit, two walks and five strikeouts…Jhoan Duran has posted a 1.80 ERA (5.0 IP,1 ER) with five saves (5 chances), no walks and seven strikeouts.
STARTING PITCHER – BAILEY OBER #17
2023: 6-4, 2.74 ERA CAREER: 11-10, 3.42 ERA
Making his 16th start of the season and 10th home start…also his 47th career start and appearance.
Facing the White Sox for the first time this season and the ninth time in his career…is 2-1, 3.38 ERA (40.0 IP, 15 ER) with 10 walks and 44 strikeouts in his eight previous starts,
Began the season with Triple-A St. Paul and was recalled when Kenta Maeda landed on the Injured List on April 29…since being inserted into the rotation, the Twins have gone 9-6 in his 15 starts.
Selected by the Twins in the 12th round of the 2017 First-Year Player Draft out of the College of Charleston
LAST START: Earned the win in his 10th quality start of the season on July 18 at Seattle, a 10-3 Twins’ victory…pitched 6.0 innings and allowed three runs on seven hits (1 HR), issued no walks and struck out five batters…allowed all three runs in the first inning off six hits (a leadoff single by J.P. Crawford, a two-run home run by Eugenio Suárez, a single by Jarred Kelenic, a single by Teoscar Hernández, an RBI double from Ty France and a single by Mike Ford)…the only out he recorded was a strikeout to Cal Raleigh…assisted by Max Kepler and Joey Gallo, who each threw out a runner out at home; per Elias, it marked the first time in Twins history (1961-present) that the club recorded multiple outfield assists resulting in putouts of a runner by the catcher in the first inning, as well as just the third time that the club recorded two such assists in any inning, joining the sixth inning on April 10, 2014 (Darin Mastroianni and Aaron Hicks) and the sixth Inning on April 7, 2021 (Jake Cave and Kyle Garlick)…only allowed two base runners after the first inning (a double in the second inning to Jose Caballero and a fifth-inning hit-by-pitch to Suárez)…relieved by Jordan Balazovic in the seventh inning as the bullpen combined to pitch 3.0 scoreless innings.
Among American League pitchers with at least 15 games started in 2023, Ober ranks first in WHIP (0.98), second in ERA (2.74), sixth in walks-per-9.0 innings (1.83), sixth in strikeout-to-walk ratio (4.67) and eighth in opponent batting average (.214).
Currently owns a nine-game streak with three-or-fewer earned runs allowed…tied for the third-longest active streak among American League starters this season.
Has recorded a quality start in six-straight outings, the second-longest active quality start streak among all starters in the majors, trailing only San Diego’s Joe Musgrove (7).
TWO STARTS AGO: Did not factor into the decision despite recording his fifth-consecutive quality start on July 7 vs. Baltimore, a 10-inning, 3-1 Twins’ defeat…pitched 6.0 innings and allowed one run on four hits, issued a career-high-tying three walks and struck out five batters…marked the fourth time in his career Ober has walked three batters (also, July 5, 2021 vs. Chicago-AL; April 23 vs. Washington; and May 22 vs. San Francisco)… faced the minimum in the first inning and pitched 3.2 hitless innings before allowing a single to Jordan Westburg in the top of the fourth inning…permitted his only run a sacrifice fly to Cedric Mullins in the sixth inning…relieved by Griffin Jax in the seventh inning who combined with Jovani Moran to pitch 2.0 scoreless innings (1.0 IP each)…Jhoan Duran entered the game in the top of the ninth and pitched a scoreless inning; he returned to the mound in the 10th and allowed an RBI single to Ramón Urías and a sacrifice fly to former Twin Aaron Hicks…the only run scored by the Twins was on an RBI double by Willi Castro in the seventh inning.
THERE’S A LIGHT ON IN CHICAGO: Ober is facing the White Sox for the first time this season and the ninth time in his career, going 2-1, 3.38 ERA (40.0 IP, 15 ER) with 10 walks and 44 strikeouts in his eight previous starts…last faced the White Sox on October 3, 2022 at Guaranteed Rate Field in his final start of the season… took a no-decision in the 3-2 Twins’ defeat after pitching 5.0 innings and allowing two runs on two hits (1 HR), with one walk and four strikeouts…pitched a scoreless first inning before allowing a two-run home run to Josh Harrison in the second inning…retired 11 of the final 12 batters he faced after the home run (Mark Payton reached on an error)…relieved by Caleb Thielbar in the sixth, pitched 1.0 scoreless inning and allowed one hit…Griffin Jax entered in the seventh inning and yielded an RBI single to Carlos Pérez.
His eight starts and 44 strikeouts against the White Sox are his most against any opponent in his career.
Owns the lowest opponent batting average against the White Sox (.205) since 2021 (min. 6 GS).
Made his major league debut against the White Sox at Target Field on May 18, 2021…did not factor into 5-4 Twins’ victory after pitching 4.0 innings and allowing four runs on five hits (2 HR), with one walk and four strikeouts.
BULLSEYE: Ober is making his 10th home start of the season today…is 2-3, 2.98 ERA (51.1 IP, 17 ER) with 13 walks and 44 strikeouts in nine home starts in 2023; earned home victories on April 23 vs. Washington and June 14 vs. Milwaukee…is 4-1, 2.41 ERA (37.1 IP, 10 ER) with five walks and 40 strikeouts in six road starts this season…is 6-4, 3.50 ERA (123.1 IP, 48 ER) with 30 walks and 121 strikeouts in 24 career home games. AIs 2-0, 1.69 ERA (26.2 IP, 5 ER) with six walks and 33 strikeouts in five career starts against the White Sox at Target Field.
LEFT AND RIGHT: Left-handed hitters are batting .205 (35-for-171) with 40 strikeouts and 13 walks against Ober after 15 starts this season…right-handed hitters are hitting .225 (34-for-151) with 44 strikeouts and five walks…lefties went 3-for-11 with two strikeouts against him in his last start on July 18 at Seattle while righties went 4-for-12 (1 HR) with three RBI and three strikeouts…in his career, left-handed hitters are batting .248/.309/.390 with 98 strikeouts against Ober…righties are hitting .224/.249/.424 with 133 strikeouts off him.
Owns the 10th-lowest opponent batting average against left-handed hitters among American League pitchers with at least 15 starts this season…also has the fourth-lowest slugging percentage (.298) and OPS (.566) against lefties this year.
