CHICAGO WHITE SOX NOTES:
WHITE SOX AT A GLANCE
The Chicago White Sox have won four of their last five games as they continue a seven-game trip tonight at Cincinnati.
RHP Mike Clevinger, who has allowed 11 earned runs over his last three starts (13.0 IP), is scheduled to start for Chicago.
Len Kasper and Steve Stone will call tonight’s game on TV, while Connor McKnight and Darrin Jackson will have the radio call … Jason Benetti will return to NBC Sports Chicago tomorrow.
The White Sox went 3-4 on their last homestand vs. Tampa Bay (1-3) and Minnesota (2-1) from 4/27-5/4, including a 7-3, 10-inning loss to the Twins in Thursday’s finale.
Following this series at Great American Ball Park, the Sox will conclude the trip with four games at Kansas City (5/8-11) before returning to Chicago for a nine-game, 10-day homestand vs. Houston (5/12-14), Cleveland (5/16-18) and the Royals (5/19-21).
The Sox went 0-6 on their last trip to Tampa Bay (0-3) and Toronto (0-3) from 4/21-26.
TONIGHT’S STORYLINES
The White Sox have won four of the last five games following a 10-game losing streak … all four of the wins have come by three runs or less, including two by one run and two on walkoff hits.
The Sox are looking to clinch their first road series victory, and win back-to-back series for the first time this season.
Starters own a 3.80 ERA (18 ER/42.2 IP), .214 (34-159) opp. average and 52 strikeouts (11.0 per 9.0 IP) in the last seven games … they have allowed two earned runs or less four times.
The White Sox are hitting .274/.353/.413 (49-179) with 29 runs scored (5.8 R/G) and seven home runs over the last five games.
The Sox are 18-100 (.180) with RISP over the last 13 contests.
Chicago is 7-12 in its last 19 interleague games since 7/27/22.
Eloy Jiménez owns a RBI in fi ve of his last six games (eight RBI total), and is 14-33 (.424) with two home runs, eight RBI and a1.109 OPS during his season-high eight-game hitting streak.
LAST NIGHT’S RECAP
Luis Robert Jr. and Elvis Andrus accounted for all of the White Sox offense with a pair of home runs in their 5-4 win at Cincinnati.
Robert Jr. connected on a game-winning, two-run homer in the sixth off Reds starter Hunter Greene … Andrus erased the Sox 3-0 deficit with a three-run shot in the fifth.
Reynaldo López worked a scoreless ninth for his fourth save and Joe Kelly struck out all four batters faced … Robert Jr. threw out Jake Fraley, the potential tying run, for a DP in the ninth.
Lance Lynn earned his first win after allowing four runs on eight hits, including a homer with eight strikeouts in 6.2 IP.
Robert Jr. recorded his first multi-hit eff ort since 4/11 at Minnesota, and Andrus (1-1, 2 BB) reached base three times.
FLIPPING THE SCRIPT
Chicago has won four of its last five games after losing a season-high 10 straight games from 4/19-29.
The Sox won consecutive games from 4/30-5/2 and earned a series win from 5/2-4 vs. Minnesota, both firsts this season. A breakdown of the White Sox over their last five games since 4/30 and during their 10-game losing streak:
W-L AVG R R/G HR OBP SLG OPS ERA IP QS ER HR SO
4-1 .274 29 5.8 7 .353 .413 .766 3.86 49.0 2 21 9 63
0-10 .174 25 2.5 8 .250 .297 .547 7.24 51.0 1 41 10 50
CENTRAL COMMAND
Mike Clevinger is 4-0 with a 2.79 ERA (9 ER/29.0 IP), 23 strikeouts and just four home runs allowed over his last six starts vs. the National League Central since 8/13/18.
He has allowed two earned runs or less fi ve times, one or less three times, and three hits or less three times.
Clevinger has earned the win over Cincinnati twice during the six-start span: 8/13/18 at Great American Ball Park (2 ER/5.0 IP) and 8/5/20 at Progressive Field (5.2 scoreless IP).
REINFORCEMENTS ON THE MEND
LHP Garrett Crochet (Tommy John surgery recovery), RHP Liam Hendriks (treatment for Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma) and INF Yoán Moncada currently are on injury rehab assignments.
Hendriks last night worked 1.0 scoreless IP for Class AAA Charlotte at Gwinnett in his fi rst appearance … he announced on 4/20 he is cancer free after completing chemotherapy on 4/5.
Moncada went 1-4 as the designated hitter with Charlotte in his first rehab game … he has been on the injured list since 4/11 with lower back soreness.
Crochet has made three appearances (4 ER/3.1 IP) with Class AA Birmingham since beginning his assignment on 4/30 … he had never pitched in a minor-league game prior to this season.
WHITE SOX VS. CINCINNATI REDS
The White Sox lead the all-time series, 22-9, including a 14-7 record in Cincinnati (9-6 at Great American Ball Park) … the Sox have hit 56 home runs in the 31 games vs. the Reds.
Chicago went 3-1 in the most recent matchup in 2021, splitting two games in Cincinnati and sweeping two at home.
The Sox are 6-6 at the Reds since the start of the 2009 season after going 8-1 over the first nine road contests from 1997-2006.
OF Billy Hamilton played for Cincinnati from 2013-18.
SENIOR CIRCUIT CENTRAL
Chicago in 2023 plays 16 games vs. the five National League Central clubs (eight at home vs. the Cubs, Milwaukee and St. Louis; eight on the road at the Cubs, Cincinnati and Pittsburgh).
The White Sox are 29-19 vs. the NL Central since the start of the 2020 season, including a 16-10 road mark.
The Sox have won 15 of the last 19 contests dating back to 7/25/21 at Milwaukee … they own a 115-74 edge in runs scored.
REST WHEN YOU CAN
The White Sox are 3-1 during their current stretch of playing 29 games over 30 days from 5/2-31 … the Sox 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.
POSTING PUNCHOUTS
White Sox pitchers lead MLB with 335 strikeouts, 11 ahead of Minnesota (324) and 26 more than the Yankees (309).
Sox starters rank second in the major leagues in strikeouts (194), trailing the Twins (210).
ROAD WARRIORS
Chicago is 5-12 (.294) on the road this season and 49-49 (.500) since the start of 2022 … the .500 winning percentage is the seventh-best in the American League since 2022.
The White Sox rank third in the AL during that span with a 3.72 ERA (349 ER/845.0 IP).
SOUTHPAW SUCCESS
The White Sox are batting .272/.338/.442 vs. left-handed pitching since the start of the 2019 season … during that span, the Sox lead MLB in average, are tied for second in OPS (.780), rank third in on-base percentage and sixth in slugging pct.
Tim Anderson owns a .351/.381/.560 (141-402) slash line vs. LHP since 2019, and Hanser Alberto is hitting .343/.362/.483 (170-495) … Anderson and Alberto rank 1-2 in MLB in average vs. left-handers since the start of 2019.
Luis Robert Jr. is a career .346/.403/.606 hitter vs. lefties.
NO RISP, NO REWARD
The White Sox are hitting .1800 (18-100) with runners in scoring position over the last 13 games.
Andrew Vaughn is batting .417/.533/.875 (10-24) with 18 RBI with RISP this season … Andrew Benintendi is batting .412/.545/.471 (7-17) with five RBI and five walks with RISP.
AS TA GOES, SO GO THE WHITE SOX
Since the start of the 2020 season, the White Sox are 153-112 (.577) when All-Star SS Tim Anderson is in the starting lineup and 67-85 (.441) when he does not start.
During that span, the Sox are 125-73 when Anderson records a hit, 73-32 when he records a multi-hit eff ort, 95-46 when he score a run and 27-3 when he homers.
The White Sox went 3-15 during Anderson’s 10-day injured list stint from 4/11-5/1 with a sprained left knee.
Anderson ranks second in MLB since the start of 2019 with 52 three-hit games (Sox are 36-16), trailing Freddie Freeman (60).
Anderson needs three homers to become the fourth player in White Sox history to record 100 HR/100 SB, joining Minnie Miñoso, Alexei Ramírez and Ray Durham.
A BREAK IN THE CLOUDS?
The White Sox went 8-21 in March/April while playing the most difficult schedule in MLB, as their opponents combined to record a .632 winning percentage (STATS).
The Sox played 13 games vs. American League East teams, including seven vs. Tampa Bay and three each vs. Baltimore and Toronto, three vs. AL Central-leading Minnesota, four vs. defending World Champion Houston, three vs. NL Central-leading Pittsburgh and three vs. defending NL champion Philadelphia.
By comparison, the Sox schedule entering May rated as the third-easiest in MLB based on their .424 opp. winning percentage (STATS) … 20 of their 30 games in May are vs. the AL Central.
STARTER #52 MIKE CLEVINGER RHP
CLEVINGER AT A GLANCE
Is scheduled to make his seventh start of the season, fourth on the road and third during interleague play.
Is limiting opponents to a .207 (12-58) average with runners on base, .194 (6-31) average with RISP and .143 (2-14) average with RISP/two outs this season.
Has tossed 5.0-plus scoreless IP in five of his first six starts of the season, recording at least five strikeouts in those three outings.
Has surrendered five home runs across his last three starts after allowing no home runs over his first three.
Agreed to terms with Chicago on a one-year, $12-million deal in December (includes a mutual option for 2024).
Has appeared in just 36 games (35 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.
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.
LAST START
Did not factor in the decision on 4/30 vs. Tampa Bay after allowing two runs on seven hits (two home runs) with one walk and a season-high tying eight strikeouts (2x, also on 4/2 at Houston) over 5.0 IP … allowed solo homers to Taylor Walls and Luke Raley in the fourth inning.
Departed the game in the sixth with the White Sox trailing, 2-1 … threw 90 pitches (58 strikes) … the Sox erased a four-run deficit with a seven-run, ninth inning as they earned their second walkoff win of the season with a 12-9 victory.
Owned a 52.2 first-strike percentage and season-high 14.4 swinging-strike percentage (14 swing and misses) vs. 23 batters … threw 90 pitches (58 strikes) with the following pitch breakdown: 43 four-seam fastballs (93.6 mph avg; 95.4 mph max), 19 cutters (85.3 avg; 86.6 max), 16 sliders (80.5 avg; 82.4 max) eight changeups (85.3 avg, 88.6 max) and four curveballs (75.2 avg, 76.0 max).
JUST WIN BABY
When Clevinger takes the mound, his team has gone 18-11 in his 29 appearances (28 starts) since 2022 … is averaging 5.32 runs of support per 9.0 IP in that span.
Across his last 13 outings, the Padres and White Sox have gone a combined 8-5 when he pitches.
COUNTRY ROADS
Is 4-4 with a 7.14 ERA (37 ER/46.2 IP) and .302 (58- 192) opponents average over his last 10 road starts … has made just one scoreless appearance during that span and has allowed four-plus runs five times.
Owns a 28-20 record with a 3.96 ERA (148 ER/336.1 IP), .229 (284-1,242) opponents average and 337 strikeouts over 66 career appearances (60 starts) on the road.
DAY ‘N’ NITE
Is 1-1 with a 5.51 ERA (10 ER/16.1 IP) in three night starts this year with nine strikeouts and 10 walks.
Has gone 33-21 with a 3.75 ERA (181 ER/434.1 IP), .233 (377-1,621) opponents average and 460 strikeouts in 86 career night appearances (76 starts).
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.
Is limiting opponents to a .209 (9-43) batting average across the first two innings this season, holding opponents to a .196 (9-46) average the first time through the lineup with 14 strikeouts.
VS. CINCINNATI REDS || INTERLEAGUE
Will make his fifth career start against the Cincinnati Reds and third at Great American Ball Park.
Has not faced the Reds since 2020 … earned the win in his last start on 8/5/20 in Cleveland after spinning 5.2 scoreless IP, allowing two hits with four strikeouts and five walks.
Won his last start at Great American Ball Park on 8/13/18, allowing two runs on five hits with six walks and four strikeouts over 5.0 IP.
Is 4-9 with a 4.95 ERA (51 ER/92.2 IP), 37 walks and 74 strikeouts in 18 career starts in interleague play … holds an 11-9 record with a 4.54 ERA (72 ER/142.2 IP) in 29 career appearances (28 starts) vs. the National League.
CINCINNATI REDS NOTES:
RED HOTS
• Today the Reds reinstated from the injured list 1B/OF Wil Myers (#4) and designated for assignment IF Matt Reynolds…Myers was scratched from starting lineups on 4/25 (neck spasms) and 4/26 (illness), then on 4/27 was placed on the IL (without injury designation)…missed the last 7 games.
• TJ Friedl and Jonathan India each has appeared in all 32 Reds games, and each has amassed at least 33 hits…Scooter Gennett (32g, 34h) was
the last Reds player to produce those numbers, in 2018…Friedl and India comprise the first pair of teammates to produce at least 33 hits while appearing in each of the Reds’ first 32 games since 2013, when Jay Bruce (32g, 34h) and Joey Votto (32g, 38h) did it.
• This weekend, the 25th Flying Pig Marathon races will surround Great American Ball Park…this morning’s races included the 5k, 10k, Flying
Piglet, The 26th Mile, PigAbilities and Flying Fur…the Full Marathon and Half Marathon begin at 6:30 a.m. tomorrow…organizers estimated 20,000 participants today and 21,000 participants tomorrow…when planning an arrival time at GABP tomorrow, please know parking will be at a premium and access around the ballpark will be challenging.
TONIGHT’S GAME
• Is Game 2 (0-1) of a 3-game series vs super fan Bob Rosenberg’s White Sox and Game 2 (0-1) of a 6-game homestand that concludes, following Mon’s off day, with a 3-game series vs the Mets.
• The Redlegs are coming off a 3-3 road trip (2-1 at Oak, 1-2 at SD), the first of their 3 visits to the West Coast.
• Following this homestand the Reds hit the road again for 3-game series at Mia’s loanDepot Park and at Col’s Coors Field.
SERIES NOTES
• The teams are meeting for the first time since 2021, when the Sox earned a 3-1 series win with a 1-1 split at Great American Ball Park and a 2-0 series sweep at Guaranteed Rate Field.
• The White Sox lead the series, 22-9, while winning 9 of 15 games at GABP and 5 of 6 games at Cinergy Field.
• The Reds won 2 of the previous 3 season series vs WSox following an 0-6-1 start to the rivalry…from 2000-2006 the Sox swept all 3 series, the only season series sweeps between the teams.
• Beginning in 2003, Great American Ball Park (4,215) and Guaranteed Rate Field (4,001) rank first and third, respectively, in home runs allowed by ballpark (Camden Yards 2nd with 4,092)…@EliasSports.
• The Reds beat the White Sox the 1919 World Series, 5 games to 3.
• Before the interleague schedule expanded this season to include games vs all 15 American League teams, from 1997-2022 the Redlegs went 188-
247 vs the American League, at .432 the lowest interleague winning percentage of any Major League team…in 2022 the Reds went 12-8 vs AL teams (0-2 vs Cle, 2-0 at Cle, 1-2 at Tor, 1-1 at Bos, 3-0 vs TB, 2-1 at NYY, 2-1 vs Bal, 1-1 vs Bos)…last season’s was their first winning record vs the AL since 2013 (11-9)…in the 8 seasons between the 2013 & 2022 season series wins, the Reds went 61-99 vs AL teams (.381).
METS UP NEXT
• The Mets won last season’s 6-game season series, 5-1, including their first sweep in New York since 4/25-4/27, 2016.
• Beginning 9/24/13, the Reds are 15-38 vs NYM, including a 14-game losing streak from 9/7/14 – 9/7/16 that ranks as Cin’s longest ever vs the Mets and its longest vs any team since a 16-game skid vs Ari from 5/8/01 – 8/13/03.
Tonight’s Pitcher – #40 Nick Lodolo, LHP
• Tonight is making his first career appearance vs the White Sox…never has faced any WSox batters.
• On 4/8 at Phi, his career-high 12 strikeouts were the most by a Reds lefthander since Amir Garrett had 12 strikeouts on 4/19/17 vs Bal…was Lodolo’s third career game with at least 10 strikeouts…became only the fourth Reds lefthander to record at least 7.0 scoreless innings with at least 12 strikeouts (Tom Hall on 5/14/72/g2 vs StL, Johnny Vander Meer 5 times, Rube Benton on 6/11/1915 vs Dodgers).
• Started the second game of the season and earned the 6-2 win vs the Pirates.
• In his 2022 Major League debut season received 2 third-place votes in the BBWAA’s Jackie Robinson Award voting for National League Rookie of the Year.
• In 2022 ranked among the National League rookie pitching leaders in ERA (4th, 3.66), wins (T5th, 4), strikeouts (3rd, 131), starts (T3rd, 19), innings pitched (5th, 103.1), opponents’ BA (4th, .235) and WHIP (3rd, 1.25).
• Led all Major League pitchers in hit batters (19), 4 shy of Jake Weimer’s 1907 single-season franchise record.
• Went 1-2, 5.52 in his first 3 career starts, but then from 4/28-7/4 missed 69 days and 61 games while on the injured list with a lower right back strain…was transferred from the 15- to the 60-day injured list on 6/21, when IF Donovan Solano came off the 60-day IL.
• Following 4 rehabilitation starts from 6/13-6/29 at ACL Reds (1gs) and Louisville (3gs), came off the injured list on 7/5 and finished the season 3-5, 3.35 over 16 starts.
• In his last 9 starts of the season beginning 8/17 went 1-3, 2.75 (55.2ip, 35h, 17er, 15bb, 67k, 6hr, .182baa, 0.90whip)…the Reds went 3-6 in those 9 starts.
• Beginning 8/17, finished the season ranked among the National League leaders in that span in starts (T3rd), innings pitched (T5th), ERA (8th), strikeouts (7th), opponents’ BA (4th) and WHIP (5th).
• On 9/9 at Mil (8ip, 0bb, 11k) and 9/14 vs Pit (6.1ip, 0bb, 11k) became only the second rookie since 1893, the year the pitching mound was moved to its current distance, to record in consecutive apps 0 walks and at least 11 strikeouts, joining Dwight Gooden (9/12 & 9/17, 1984, 16k vs Pit, 16k at Phi).
• Is only the third Reds rookie since 1900 to record in consecutive apps at least 11 strikeouts, joining Gary Nolan (6/1 & 6/7, 1967, 12k vs Cubs, 15k vs SF) and Bruce Berenyi (8/24 & 8/29, 1981, 12k vs NYM, 11k at NYM).
• Was selected by the Reds in the first round (7th overall) of the June 2019 first-year player draft…was signed by Paul Scott…was Texas Christian University’s highest-ever baseball draft pick.
