CHICAGO WHITE SOX NOTES:
WHITE SOX AT A GLANCE
The Chicago White Sox have lost 11 of their last 16 games as they continue a seven-game trip tonight at Los Angeles-AL.
Lucas Giolito is scheduled to start for the White Sox, who are in fourth place in the American League Central at the halfway mark of the season, 6.0 games behind division-leading Minnesota.
The Sox have lost the first two games of this series by a combined three runs, losing, 2-1, on Monday and 4-2 last night.
Following this four-game series, the White Sox conclude the trip this weekend with three in Oakland (6/30-7/1) before ending the first half with a six-game homestand vs. Toronto (7/4-6) and St. Louis (7/7-9).
The Sox went 3-3 on their last homestand vs. Texas (1-2) and Boston (2-1) from 6/19-25 and 2-4 on their last trip to Los Angeles-NL (1-2) and Seattle (1-2) from 6/13-18.
TONIGHT’S STORYLINES
Lucas Giolito owns a 1.50 ERA (4 ER/24.0 IP) with 30 strikeouts over his last four starts.
Luis Robert Jr. is hitting .316/.372/.722 (25-79) with nine home runs, 13 RBI and 15 runs scored in 21 games since 6/4.
The Sox lead MLB with a 3.25 ERA (132 ER/365.0 IP) in 41 games since 5/13 … the rotation ranks second in MLB during that span with a 3.38 ERA (82 ER/218.1 IP).
White Sox starting pitchers have allowed three runs or less in 13 straight games.
The Sox lead MLB in June with a 3.10 ERA (68 ER/197.1 IP) but are 29th with a .215 (165-769) average and 30th with 3.17 runs per game (73 runs) … all 23 of their games in June have been decided by four runs or less (11 by one run).
Billy Russo celebrates a milestone birthday.
LAST NIGHT’S RECAP
A late White Sox rally came up short in a 4-2 loss to the Angels.
Trailing, 4-1, entering the ninth inning, Eloy Jiménez led off with a double, Andrew Vaughn hit a RBI single and Zach Remillard and Jake Burger followed with singles to load the bases with no outs … Seby Zavala struck out, and Elvis Andrus grounded into a double play to end the threat.
Michael Kopech suffered the loss, allowing two runs on four hits and a career-high seven walks over 4.0 IP (102 pitches).
Sox pitchers walked 10 batters and struck out seven, ending their franchise-record tying streak of nine straight games with 10-plus strikeouts.
The White Sox fell to 6-26 at Angel Stadium since 5/18/13.
SIR JAMISON JONES @ “PDP”
White Sox Amateur City Elite (ACE) catcher Sir Jamison Jones is participating in the 2023 Prospect Development Pipeline League, today through 7/3.
The event features the best 18-and-under players in the country, serving as the primary identification event for the 18U National Team.
Jones will join 31 players competing in the MLB-USA Baseball High School All-American Game on 7/7 at T-Mobile Park.
The St. Rita High School junior is committed to Illinois State and has attended several top MLB events.
99 percent of ACE participants graduate high school … more than 250 college scholarships have been earned and 28 players have been drafted by MLB teams.
ROBERT SHOOTING FOR THE STARS
CF Luis Robert Jr., the reigning American League Player of the Week, is attempting to make his first All-Star Team … the All-Star Game will be played on 7/11 at Seattle’s T-Mobile Park.
Some notable information from Robert’s season to date:
Attempting to become the first Sox CF to make the All-Star Team since Chet Lemon in 1978-79;
Named AL Player of the Week for 6/19-25 (first career weekly honor) after hitting .444/.524/1.111 (8-18) with four home runs, five RBI and six runs scored in six games;
Ranks among the AL leaders in home runs (2nd, 22), extra-base hits (2nd, 42), slugging percentage (2nd, .561), total bases (3rd, 165), defensive runs saved (3rd, 9), OPS (3rd, .885), runs scored (T5th, 52), games played (T6th, 78) and doubles (T9th, 20);
Is hitting .301/.363/.651 (56-186) with 14 doubles, 17 homers, 30 RBI and 38 runs scored in 50 games since 5/1;
One of five players in Sox history (8x) to record 20-plus doubles and homers before the break, joining Frank Thomas (1993-94, 2003), José Abreu (2014, ’19), Jermaine Dye (2008) and Magglio Ordóñez (2000);
On pace to hit 44 home runs, which would tie Jermaine Dye (2006) for second-most in franchise history behind Albert Belle’s 49 in 1998;
Twenty-two home runs are the most by a Sox player in the first half since Todd Frazier (25) in 2016;
Is hitting .367/.441/.767 (22-60) with six doubles, six home runs and a AL-best 1.208 OPS vs. LHP.
WHITE SOX VS. LOS ANGELES ANGELS
The Angels are 4-1 against the White Sox in 2023 and have clinched their seventh straight season series victory.
The Sox are hitting .261/.307/.442 (43-165) with a 5.61 ERA (27 ER/43.1 IP) and have been outscored, 27-19.
The Angels have won seven straight season series and 11 of the last 12 since 2011, with the White Sox only win coming in 2015 (4-3).
The Sox have not won a series against the Angels since 9/25- 28/17 (three of four) in Chicago and have not won a series at Angel Stadium since 5/9-11/11 (two of three).
HOW THE WEST WAS WON
The Sox are 6-12 vs. the American League West this season, including a 3-6 record on the road.
The Sox went 18-16 vs. the division last season and 16-17 in 2021 … they are 18-24 on the road vs. the AL West since 2021.
ARMS RACE
White Sox pitchers have recorded a 3.25 ERA (132 ER/365.0 IP) in 41 games since 5/13, the best mark in the major leagues … during that span, the Sox also lead MLB with a .210 opponents average and rank fifth with a 1.19 WHIP.
A breakdown of the Sox pitching through their first 40 games of the season and last 41:
Games W-L ERA QS IP H R ER HR BB SO AVG OPS WHIP
Last 41 21-20 3.25 18 365.0 282 146 132 43 152 391 .210 .656 1.19
First 40 13-27 5.66 12 351.2 366 241 221 65 167 385 .263 .817 1.52
ROTATION SENSATION
White Sox starting pitchers own a 3.38 ERA with a .226 opponents average in 41 games since 5/13 … during that span, they lead MLB with an average of 10.26 strikeouts per 9.0 IP and rank second in both ERA and opponents average.
During that 41-game stretch, Sox starters have made eight scoreless outings, have allowed one earned run 10 times and two earned runs nine times … the rotation since 5/13:
W-L ERA WHIP QS IP H R ER HR BB SO SO/9.0 AVG OPS
10-12 3.38 1.25 18 218.1 185 90 82 30 88 249 10.3 .226 .705
GRAB SOME BENCH
The White Sox lead the major leagues with an average of 9.75 strikeouts per 9.0 IP (776 SO/716.2 IP) this season, which would be the second-highest total in franchise history behind the 2021 club (10.18).
Sox pitchers have struck out 10-plus batters in 41 of 81 games (50.6 percent), including 15 or more six times (0-6 record).
Lance Lynn (4th, career-high 10.90), Dylan Cease (5th, 10.84), Michael Kopech (7th, 10.15) and Lucas Giolito (12th, 9.65) all rank among the AL leaders in strikeouts per 9.0 IP.
CLOSE CALLS
Thirty-six of the White Sox 81 games (44.4 percent) this season have been decided by two runs or less.
The Sox are 12-12 in one-run games and 5-7 in two-run games … all 23 of their games in June have been decided by four runs or less, and their last win by more than four runs came on 5/26 at Detroit (12-3).
BULLPEN RELIEF
The White Sox bullpen has posted a 3.07 ERA (50 ER/146.2 IP) with a .185 (97-525) opponents average and 1.10 WHIP in 41 games since 5/13 … during that stretch, the bullpen leads MLB in opponents average, ranks third in WHIP and fifth in ERA.
The White Sox bullpen since 5/13:
W-L ERA WHIP SV IP H R ER HR BB SO HR/9.0 AVG OPS
11-8 3.07 1.10 9 146.2 97 56 50 13 64 142 0.80 .185 .578
LONG BALL
The White Sox rank seventh in the American League this season with 92 home runs, including 22 over the last 13 games (19 solo), and are on pace to finish with 184.
By comparison, the Sox hit 65 homers over the first 81 games of 2022 and finished the season ranked 10th in the AL with 149. Luis Robert Jr. (2nd, career-high 22) and Jake Burger (T6th, career-high 17) rank among the Top 5 in the AL this season.
RISING TO THE TOP
The White Sox are at the end of a stretch where they play seven consecutive series (22 games) from 6/6-29 against teams who are or above .500 (8-12 so far).
The stretch includes 13 games on the road against the Yankees (2-1), Dodgers (1-2), Seattle (1-2) and Angels (0-2) and nine at home vs. Miami (1-2), Texas (1-2) and Boston (2-1).
STARTING PITCHER – #27 LUCAS GIOLITO RHP
GIOLITO AT A GLANCE
Is scheduled to make his 17th start of the season, ninth on the road and second vs. the Los Angeles Angels.
Has gone 1-1 with a 1.50 ERA (4 ER/24.0 IP), .191 (17- 89) opp. average, 1.04 WHIP, .591 OPS and 30 strikeouts over his last four starts … has tossed 6.0-plus IP in 11 of his last 14 starts, and allowed two runs or less in nine.
Has allowed three runs or less 12 times in 2023, tied for the seventh-most among American League starters … Minnesota’s Sonny Gray leads the AL with 16 starts.
Opponents are hitting .221 (17-77) against him with RISP and .222 (8-36) with RISP/two outs in 2023.
Is 39 strikeouts away from becoming the 12th pitcher in White Sox history with 1,000 (28 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
Suffered the loss on 6/23 vs. Boston after allowing three runs (one earned) on three hits (one home run) with one walk, one hit batter and 10 strikeouts over 6.0 IP.
Exited the game in the seventh with the White Sox trailing, 3-1, the eventual final score … allowed a two-run home run to Rafael Devers in the fourth inning after Masataka Yoshida reached on an error.
Marked his first 10-plus strikeout game and team-leading ninth quality start of the season.
Owned a 66.7 first-strike percentage and 15.2 swinging-strike percentage (17 swing and misses) vs. 24 batters … threw 47 four-seam fastballs (94.0 mph avg; 96.4 mph max), 35 sliders (85.4 avg; 88.0 max), 20 changeups (82.0 avg; 83.3 max) and one curveball (78.3 max) … threw 105 pitches (68 strikes)
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 Monday night).
Owns a 11.25 SO per 9.0 IP (30 SO) across his last four starts, ninth-best in the American League since 6/6.
Recorded consecutive 10-plus strikeout games twice in his career from 8/20-25/20 (two) and 8/16-27/19 (three).
THE QUALITY KID
Leads the team and is tied for 10th in the American League with nine quality starts this season.
Four of his last seven starts have been quality, including a 2.79 ERA (12 ER/38.2 IP) in that span.
Has made 80 quality starts in his career, fifth-most in the American League since 2017.
JUNE BUG
Ranks among the 2023 American League June leaders (minimum 24.0 IP) in ERA (1st, 1.50), opponents average (3rd, .191), strikeouts per 9.0 IP (5th, 11.25) and WHIP
(10th, 1.04).
Owns a 9-6 record with a 3.98 ERA (67 ER/151.2 IP), .236 (135-571) opponent batting average, 53 walks and 154 strikeouts in his career during the month.
COUNTRY ROADS
Owns a 4.64 ERA (22 ER/42.2 IP), .271 (46-170) opponents batting average, 20 walks and 46 strikeouts on the road compared to a 2.36 ERA (13 ER/49.2 IP), .199
(36-181), nine walks and 53 strikeouts at home this year.
Has allowed six earned runs in 14.2 IP (3.68 ERA) across his last three 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 14 home runs this season, allowing one three-run homer, two two-run and 11 solo shots … has allowed seven homers on the road, seven at home, right vs. left-handed hitters and six vs. righties.
Has allowed 65 home runs since the start of the 2021 season, tied for the sixth-most in baseball … is averaging 1.35 HR/9.0 IP during that span.
VS. LOS ANGELES ANGELS || A.L. WEST
Is scheduled to make his ninth career start against the Angels and second this year.
Owns a 3-1 record with a 3.97 ERA (20 ER/45.1 IP), .216 (36-167) opponent average, 16 walks and 56 strikeouts in his career against the Angels.
Earned the win on 5/30 at home after allowing three runs on four hits (two home runs) with two walks and five strikeouts over 5.0 IP in the Sox 7-3 win.
Owns a career 10-9 record with a 4.81 ERA (82 ER/153.1 IP) in 27 career stats (12 QS) vs. the AL West.
LOS ANGELES ANGELS NOTES:
LEADING OFF: Today, the Angels play the third (2-0) of seven games on a homestand against the Chicago White Sox (2-0; June 26-29) and Arizona Diamondbacks (June 30 – July 2)…Halos went 1-2 on last road trip at Colorado…LAA was 0-2 on last homestand against the Dodgers.
ABOUT LAST NIGHT: Last night, Shohei Ohtani recorded his 15th career multi-HR game and his 22nd career 10+ strikeout game…He became the first A.L. player to hit multiple home runs and have 10+ pitching strikeouts in the same game since Cleveland’s Pedro Ramos on July 31, 1963 (Game 2) vs. Angels.
MOST HOME RUNS IN A MONTH IN ANGELS HISTORY:
T1. Shohei Ohtani (June 2023) – 13
T1. Shohei Ohtani (June 2021) – 13
T1. Mike Trout (July 2019) – 13
T1. Albert Pujols (June 2015) – 13
T1. Mo Vaughn (May 2000) – 13
T1. Tim Salmon (June 1996) – 13
HALFWAY THERE: The Angels 44 wins through 81 team games are the most at the halfway point since 2014 (46-35).
WINNING MONTHS: Angels have secured a winning record for June, after going 15-13 in May and 15-14 in March/April (15-13 in April)…Halos had a record above .500 in three straight months for the first time since May – July 2019.
ESTÉVEZ ENDING: This season, Carlos Estévez is pitching to a 1.91 ERA (33 IP – 7 ER) and has converted all 20 of his save opportunities, which establishes a new Club record to begin a season…Lee Smith held the previous Halos record with 19 consecutive successful save chances to start the 1995 season.
WINS AND LOSSES: With a win today, Angels would match season-high at eight games over .500 (would be third time at eight games over .500…Previously reached the high water mark at 40-32 & 41-33).
SHO OFF: Last night, Shohei Ohtani made his 16th career pitching start for the Angels while also leading the Majors in home runs as a batter…In 2021 he became the first player with multiple pitching starts in a season while leading Majors in homers since Babe Ruth in 1919.
REID THIS: Monday night was the fourth straight start for Reid Detmers with 8+ strikeouts and one-or-fewer runs allowed…The only other players with such a streak in Angels history are Nolan Ryan (twice) and Shohei Ohtani (2022). (credit: ESPN Stats & Info.)
ROCKY MOUNTAIN HIGHS: Saturday night at Colorado, the Angels set franchise records with 25 runs scored and 28 hits…Halos previously had 24 runs and 26 hits on Aug. 25, 1979 at Toronto and had 26 hits on June 20, 1980 at Boston…The 24 run margin of victory also set a Club record (previously was 22 in the 24-2 win vs. TOR
on 8/25/79).
STARTING STRONG: Angels starting pitchers have allowed three-or-fewer runs in 13 straight starts…Over that span (since June 13), the rotation ranks second in
the Majors with a combined 2.17 ERA (78.2 IP – 19 ER).
VS. WHITE SOX: Angels lead the 2023 season series 4-1 after taking two of three games in Chicago from May 29-31 and winning the first two games of the current series…Halos have now won seven consecutive season series vs. White Sox and 11 of last 12 season series overall…Since 2011, Angels are 55-28 (.663) vs. CWS, including a 33-11 (.750) mark at The Big A.
HIGHEST CAREER OBP vs. WHITE SOX
(min. 200 PA)
- Babe Ruth – .471
- Mike Trout – .451
- Ted Williams – .449
- Lou Gehrig – .446
- Jimmie Foxx – .445
LEAGUE LEADER: As a hitter, Shohei Ohtani leads the Majors in home runs (28), RBI (64), total bases (200), XBH (47), slugging percentage (.654) and OPS (1.040)…
On the mound, he also leads the Majors in opponent batting average (.180), ranks third in strikeouts (127) and is sixth in WHIP (1.04).
CATCHING ON: This season, Angels catchers rank tied for third in the Majors with 13 home runs and are fourth with a .772 OPS.
TODAY’S STARTING PITCHER – RHP JAIME BARRIA
2-2, 2.14 ERA
Since April 8, ranks third in Majors (min. 40 IP) with a 1.48 ERA (42.2 IP – 7 ER)
- TODAY’S GAME: Making 17th appearance (fifth start) of the season and eighth home appearance (third home start) of the year…Second start vs. White Sox in 2023…Is in sixth Major League season with Angels.
- HOT STRETCH: After allowing four earned runs in season debut on April 4 at Seattle (3.2 IP), has yielded seven total earned runs since across last 15 appearances (four starts)…His 1.48 ERA (42.2 IP – 7 ER) in that span (since April 8) ranks third in the Majors (min. 40 IP).
- AS A STARTER: In four games as a starter this season, is 1-0 with a 2.79 ERA (19.1 IP – 6 ER) and 17 strikeouts… Angels have won all four starts.
- FROM THE ‘PEN: In 12 relief appearances this season, going 1-2 with a 1.67 ERA (27 IP – 5 ER) and 23 SO.
- BACK TO START: Today marks 61st career start…Totaled 55 starts for Angels between 2018-22 seasons…Since start of 2018 season, only Shohei Ohtani (79), Andrew Heaney (78) and Patrick Sandoval (70) have made more starts for Angels.
- LONG RELIEF: Pitched 2+ innings in eight of 12 relief outings this year and 3+ innings in four of the 11…Since start of 2022 season, ranks second in Majors with 30 relief appearances of 2+ innings and is seventh in the A.L. with 101.2 IP as a reliever since 2022.
- LAST TIME OUT: Worked three scoreless innings in relief and did not factor in decision in last appearance on June 18 at Kansas City…Allowed two hits and one walk with one strikeout.
- LAST START: Did not factor in decision in last start on June 13 at Texas after working 4.1 innings and allowing three earned runs on seven hits with one walk and two strikeouts.
- VS. CHICAGO (A.L.): In five career starts vs. Chicago (A.L.), is 1-2 with a 3.98 ERA (20.1 IP – 9 ER) and 15 strikeouts…This year, is 1-0 with a 1.80 ERA (5 IP – 1 ER) following first game vs. Chicago on May 31 at Guaranteed Rate Field (W; 5 IP, 4 H, 1 ER, 3 BB, 6 SO).
- AT ANGEL STADIUM: In 57 career games (29 starts) at Angel Stadium, is 11-14 with a 3.24 ERA (208.1 IP – 75 ER)…This season, is 1-2 with a 1.35 ERA (20 IP – 3 ER) after seven home games (two starts)…As a starter, is 6-11 with a 3.70 ERA (141 IP – 58 ER) and 109 strikeouts in 29 starts at The Big A.
- GOOD DAY: Has pitched to a 2.53 ERA (124.2 IP – 35 ER) in 36 career day games (16 starts), compared with a 4.44 ERA (302 IP – 149 ER) in night games (80 games, 44 starts).
- CAREER HOME vs. ROAD: Has pitched to a 3.24 ERA (208.1 IP – 75 ER) in 57 career games (29 starts) at Angel Stadium, compared with a 4.49 ERA (218.1 IP – 109 ER) in 59 games (31 starts) on the road.
