CHICAGO WHITE SOX NOTES:

WHITE SOX AT A GLANCE
The Chicago White Sox continue the 2023 season this afternoon with the series finale against the defending World Series champion Houston Astros.

RHP Mike Clevinger is scheduled to make his debut for the White Sox, who have lost two straight games despite holding leads in both after rallying on Thursday for a 3-2 victory in Pedro Grifol’s managerial debut.

Following today’s game, the Sox return to Chicago for a three-game, four-day homestand vs. the Giants (4/3, 4/5-6) before taking a six-game trip to Pittsburgh (4/7-9) and Minnesota (4/10-12) … RHP Michael Kopech is scheduled to start the home opener.

The White Sox play just three games vs. AL Central teams in April (4/10-12 at the Twins) … from 4/14-30, they play 16 straight games vs. AL/National League East clubs.

TODAY’S STORYLINES
The White Sox have outhit the Astros, 32-22, through three games of this series, but have left 30 runners on base.

Tim Anderson has recorded three straight multi-hit efforts, the longest season-opening streak by a Sox player since Adam Eaton tied the franchise record with four in 2016.

Sox starting pitchers own a 2.65 ERA (5 ER/17.0 IP) with 22 strikeouts and a .167 (10-60) opponents average.

The White Sox bullpen has posted a 9.00 ERA (8 ER/8.0 IP) with a .353 (12-34) opponents average.

Elvis Andrus needs one hit to become the 290th player in MLB history to record 2,000.

YESTERDAY’S RECAP
Kyle Tucker hit a two-out single off José Ruiz in the seventh inning to break a 3-3 tie, and Houston went on to record a 6-4 victory over the White Sox.

Lucas Giolito posted a ND, allowing three runs (two earned) on five hits with one walk and six strikeouts over 5.0 IP … Joe Kelly (1 ER/1.0 IP) suffered the loss … Gregory Santos threw 0.2 scoreless IP in his Sox debut.

Yoán Moncada hit a solo home run off José Urquidy in the second inning, and Seby Zavala added a two-run shot off Urquidy in the fourth to give the White Sox a brief 3-2 lead.

Tim Anderson went 2-5 with a stolen base and run scored, Andrew Benintendi was 2-5 with a stolen base, and rookie Oscar Colás recorded his first career multihit effort.

The Sox went 2-9 with RISP and left 10 runners on base.

Houston scored all six of its runs with two outs.

HOME OPENER TIDBITS
The White Sox open the home portion of their schedule on Monday vs. San Francisco (3:10 p.m. CT first pitch).

White Sox great A.J. Pierzynski, 2005 World Series Champion and two-time MLB All-Star, will throw out a ceremonial first pitch.

Grammy Award-winning artist Jon Secada will perform the National Anthem.

A flyover will be performed by two United States Navy P-8A Poseidon Aircrafts.

OPENING DAY LEFTOVERS
Pedro Grifol became the first White Sox manager to win his debut since Jerry Manuel in 1998.

Dylan Cease became the fourth pitcher in American League history with no walks and 10-plus strikeouts on Opening Day, joining HOF Walter Johnson (1916), HOF Mike Mussina (1998) and Jered Weaver (2012) … ESPN Stats and Info.

Cease recorded his 14th career double-digit strikeout game, tied with teammate Lucas Giolito for the fourth-highest total in White Sox history … his 10 strikeouts tied Jack McDowell (1991) for the most by a Sox pitcher on Opening Day.

Elvis Andrus made his first MLB appearance at a position other than shortstop.

Oscar Colás became the first White Sox player since Joe Hall in 1994 to record his first MLB hit as a pinch-hitter.

AT THE HELM
Pedro Grifol was named the 42nd different manager in White Sox history on 11/3/22, replacing Hall-of-Famer Tony La Russa … Grifol joins the Sox after a 10-year stint in Kansas City (2013-22), including the last three as the Royals bench coach.

He is one of four current Latino managers in MLB, joining Boston’s Alex Cora, St. Louis’ Oliver Marmol and Washington’s Dave Martinez.

Grifol has 23 years of professional baseball experience as a bench coach, hitting coach, winter ball and minor league manager, director of player development and scout

WHITE SOX VS. HOUSTON ASTROS
The Astros lead the season series, 2-1.

The White Sox are hitting .286/.333/.420 (32-12) with a 4.68 ERA (13 ER/25.0 IP) and have been outscored, 14-10.

Including the postseason, the Sox have lost 10 of their last 12 games at Minute Maid Park and are 5-18 since 2017.

The Astros won the 2022 season series, 4-3, taking two of three games in Houston from 6/17-19 and splitting a four-game set in Chicago from 8/15-18.

Houston defeated the White Sox in four games in the 2021 ALDS, while the Sox recorded a sweep in the 2005 World Series.

FAMILIAR FACE
1B José Abreu spent his first nine MLB seasons with the White Sox before signing with Houston in the offseason.

Abreu batted .292/.354/.506 (1,445-4,954) with 303 doubles, 243 home runs, 863 RBI and 697 runs scored in 1,270 games with the Sox … he ranks third in franchise history in homers and fifth in RBI and extra-base hits (562).

Abreu was the 2014 American League Rookie of the Year and the 2020 AL Most Valuable Player.

WHITE SOX ROSTER BREAKDOWN
The White Sox 26-man roster includes 13 pitchers (two LHP), two catchers, seven infielders and four outfielders.

INF Elvis Andrus (14.0000 entering season) has the most service time, and SS Tim Anderson (2016-) is the longest tenured.

LHP Garrett Crochet (Tommy John recovery) and RHPs Matt Foster (right flexor strain) and RHP Liam Hendriks (Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma treatment) are on the 15-day injured list.

INF Hanser Alberto, OF Andrew Benintendi, RHPs Mike Clevinger and Gregory Santos are new to the organization.

HOME AWAY FROM HOME
The White Sox went 44-37 (.543) on the road in 2022, tied with Seattle for the fourth-best winning percentage in the American League and their best mark since going 52-29 in 2005.

CLOSING OUT CANCER
White Sox closer Liam Hendriks, who ranks second in MLB since 2020 with 89 saves, announced on 1/8/23 that he has been diagnosed with Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma.

Hendriks and his wife, Kristi, launched an ongoing campaign inviting fans to purchase specially designed “Close Out Cancer” T-Shirts, with proceeds benefiting the Lymphoma Research Foundation (LRF) and its Patient Aid Grants.

Net proceeds from the T-Shirt sale benefit the Lymphoma Research Foundation (LRF).

BEST ABILITY IS AVAILABILITY
RHP Lance Lynn (21 starts), All-Star SS Tim Anderson (79 games), 3B Yoán Moncada (104) and OFs Eloy Jiménez (84) and Luis Robert Jr. (98) all missed significant time in 2022.

The White Sox projected Opening Day lineup was together for just one game last season, a 3-2 loss on 8/4 at Texas.

BY THE NUMBERS
The White Sox went 21-32 in the first game of a series in 2022 and 32-19 in the second game … 75 of Chicago’s 162 games (46.3 percent) were decided by one or two runs … the Sox went 27-16 in one-run games and 19-13 in games decided by two runs.

ON DECK: VS. SAN FRANCISCO GIANTS
The White Sox open a brief three-game, four-day homestand tomorrow vs. San Francisco … RHP Michael Kopech (5-9, 3.54 in 2022) is scheduled to start the home opener.
Kopech posted a 3.01 ERA (23 ER/68.2 IP) in 13 starts at home last season, holding the opposition to a .157 (37-235) average.

The Sox lead the all-time series, 12-4, going 7-1 in San Francisco and 5-3 in Chicago … the White Sox swept a three-game series at Oracle Park from 7/1-3/22, outscoring the Giants, 19-7 … they won two of three games in the last meeting in Chicago in 2017.

52 STARTER MIKE CLEVINGER RHP

CLEVINGER AT A GLANCE
Is scheduled to make his 2023 and White Sox debut. Agreed to terms with Chicago on a one-year, $12-million deal in December (includes a mutual option for 2024). Has appeared in just 31 games (30 starts) since the start of the 2020 season … missed the entire 2021 season to continue his recovery from his second Tommy John surgery … also underwent Tommy John surgery in 2012. Needs six strikeouts for 700 in his career. Was originally drafted by the Angels in the fourth round of the 2011 MLB Draft … was traded to Cleveland in August 2014 … made 101 major-league appearances (88 starts) with Cleveland from 2016-20 … was traded to San Diego in August 2020, appearing in just 27 games (16 starts) with Padres from 2020-22.

2022 SEASON RECAP
Went 7-7 with a 4.33 ERA (55 ER/114.1 IP), .233 (102-437) opponents average and 91 strikeouts over 23 appearances (22 starts) with San Diego.
Was 3-3 with a 2.81 ERA (16 ER/51.1 IP) and 49 strikeouts in 10 games (nine starts) from 5/17-8/11. Began the season on the 15-day injured list with a sprained right knee suffered during spring training. Was placed on the 15-day injured list for the second time on 5/22 (retro to 5/21) with a right triceps strain … was reinstated on 6/5 and started that day at Milwaukee (ND, 1 ER/3.0 IP, 5 SO) before going on the COVID-19 related IL from 6/11-16. Earned his 50th career victory on 9/20 vs. St. Louis, allowing three hits over 5.2 scoreless IP.

DAY ‘N’ NITE
Has gone 19-10 a 2.87 ERA (76 ER/238.2 IP), .206 (177-860) opponents average and 243 strikeouts in 45 career day appearances (41 starts). His 2.87 ERA in day games ranks sixth among active major-league pitchers and his .206 opponents average ranks fourth (min. 230.0 IP). Is 0-4 with a 7.53 ERA (24 ER/28.2 IP) and .299 (35-117) opponents average over his last six day starts.

APRIL LOVE
Has gone 3-0 with a 1.85 ERA (9 ER/43.2 IP), 1.88 (29-154) opponents average and 44 strikeouts in seven career starts in the month of April. Is making his first April start since 4/7/2019 vs. Toronto with Cleveland … earned the win after tossing 5.0 scoreless IP, allowing just one hit with one walk and 10 strikeouts. His 1.85 career ERA in April ranks fourth among active major-league pitchers (min. 43.0 IP).

COUNTRY ROADS
Is 2-4 with a 6.80 ERA (33 ER/43.2 IP) and .288 (51-177) opponents average over his last nine road starts. Owns a 26-19, 3.87 ERA (39 ER/64.1 IP), .225 (226-1,180) opponents average and 325 strikeouts over 63 career appearances (57 starts) on the road.

START STRONG
Posted a 2.04 ERA (10 ER/44.0 IP) and .173 (27-156) opponents average across the first two innings in 2022, compared to a 5.76 ERA (45 ER/70.1 IP) and .267 (75- 281) mark from the third-seventh. Limited opponents to a .196 (37-189) average the first time through the lineup in 2022, compared to a .244 (43-176) mark the second time through the lineup and a .306 (22-72) average the third time through the order.

VS. HOUSTON ASTROS || A.L. WEST
Will make his fifth career start against the Astros and third at Minute Maid Park. Last faced the Astros on 5/24/2018 in Houston with Cleveland, suffering the loss after allowing five runs on seven hits with three walks and four strikeouts in 5.1 IP. Will be making his 25th career appearance (22nd start) vs. an American League West opponent …has gone 6-9 with a 4.25 ERA (56 ER/118.2 IP) lifetime … is 0-3 with a 6.00 ERA (12 ER/18.0 IP) over his last four starts.

HOUSTON ASTROS NOTES:

TODAY’S GAME: The Houston Astros, the reigning World Series champions, are looking to win this four-game series with a victory today opposite the White Sox…a 15-game winner for the Astros a season ago, RHP Luis Garcia will get the start for Houston today opposite RHP Mike Clevinger and the Sox. ABOUT GARCIA:RHP Luis Garcia is entering his fourth Major League season (2020-23) and is coming off a strong 2022 campaign in which he ranked tied for fourth in the AL in wins (15), ninth in opponent average (.222) and 10th in strikeouts per 9.0 (8.98)…he finished his season on a tear, winning seven consecutive decisions over his last eight starts (after Aug. 12).

RUN OF SUCCESS: In addition to capturing the 2022 World Championship, Houston has played in three of the last four and four of the last six World Series, earning two championships along the way (2017, 2022)…the Astros have also advanced to the ALCS an MLB-record six consecutive seasons (2017-22).

AT THE HELM: Astros skipper Dusty Baker celebrated his 26th career Opening Day as a manager on Thursday and his fourth at the helm in Houston…Baker, who ranks ninth all-time in managerial wins with 2,095 wins, has an outside shot of moving up to sixth all time by seasons end…en route, he’d have to surpass Joe McCarthy (8th, 2,125), Bucky Harris (7th, 2,158) and Sparky Anderson (6th 2,194).

VS. THE WHITE SOX: The Astros and White Sox played a pair of series against each other in 2022, with the Astros taking the season series 4-3…there is some history between these two organizations, including two postseason series, the 2005 World Series, won by the Sox in four games, and the 2021 Division Series, won by the Astros in four games.

SATURDAY SPECIAL: The Astros downed the White Sox yesterday afternoon by a score of 6-4…the Astros offense collected a season-high 11 hits, with the big hit being a go-ahead RBI single by RF Kyle Tucker in the 7th…DH Yordan Alvarez continued his hot start with a 3×5 performance on the day…RHP Ronel Blanco (0ER/2IP) pitched a couple scoreless innings in relief, while RHP Hector Neris (1ER/1.1IP) earned the four-out save.

AIR YORDAN: LF Yordan Alvarez is off to a characteristically strong start three games into the young season, as he’s hitting .455 (5×11) with a double, homer, five RBI and a .538 OBP… Alvarez has driven in a run in all three games this season, which is three games shy of the Astros record to open a season, set by RF Kyle Tucker (6g) in 2021.

99 AND COUNTING: LF Yordan Alvarez connected for a solo homer on Opening Day, giving him 99 career home runs, the same total Astros TV broadcaster Geoff Blum hit in his illustrious career…with one more homer for Alvarez, he’ll become the 19th player in franchise history to reach the 100-homer mark.

BOMBS AWAY: RF Kyle Tucker connected for a two-run homer on Friday, which traveled 437’, making it the fourth-longest home run of his career and the furthest of his career at Minute Maid Park…Tucker’s homer is the third-longest hit homer in the Majors on the young season, two spots behind LF Yordan Alvarez, who hit a 442’ shot on Opening Day.

FAMILIAR FACE, NEW PLACE: 1B José Abreu, who spent his first nine career seasons with the White Sox, joined the Astros this offseason on a three-year contract…he made his Astros debut on Opening Day and has hit .333 (4×12) with an RBI on the young season…Abreu was a three-time All-Star (2014, 2018-19) for Chicago and won the AL MVP Award in 2020.

MVP STAYS HOT:SS Jeremy Peña, the 2022 ALCS and World Series MVP has hit safely in all three games this season, hitting .364 (4×11) with a .462 OBP out of the leadoff spot in the lineup…he also hit safely in his last seven postseason games, giving him an active 10-game hitting streak.

JULKS SMASH: DH Corey Julks connected for his first Major League hit on Friday night and followed that up by singling yesterday…he’s the first Astros player to record a hit in his first two Major League games since LF Yordan Alvarez also did so on June 9-11, 2019…on Friday, Julks became just the 12th player in Astros history to collect a hit in his first career at-bat and the first since C Garrett Stubbs doubled in his first career at-bat on May 28, 2019 vs. CHC.

SEÑOR SCORELESS: RHP Bryan Abreu worked scoreless innings on Thursday and Friday, recording four strikeouts in his 2.0 innings pitched…including his work in the 2022 postseason, Abreu has made 16 consecutive scoreless appearances, tossing 15.0 innings and recording 26 strikeouts in that span.

ABOUT THE ROSTER: The Astros Opening Day roster includes 13 pitchers and 13 position players…seven players on the club are making their first appearance on an Opening Day roster: RHP Hunter Brown, C Yainer Diaz, IF David Hensley, OF Corey Julks, RHP Seth Martinez, OF Jake Meyers and C César Salazar… Julks and Salazar are making their MLB debuts.