CHICAGO WHITE SOX NOTES:
WHITE SOX AT A GLANCE
The Chicago White Sox have lost eight of the last 11 games, 10 of 14 and 22 of 34 as they continue this nine-game, 10-day trip this afternoon with the series finale at the Mets.
RHP Michael Kopech, who worked just 0.2 IP in his last outing on 7/14 at Atlanta, is scheduled to start for the White Sox.
The Sox have lost the first two games of this series to New York-NL after winning two of three at Atlanta last weekend.
Following today’s series finale 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, 10.0 games behind the division-leading Twins (50-47).
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).
TODAY’S STORYLINES
Chicago is a season-high matching 17 games under .500 (38-5 on 7/14) and a season-high 10 games out of first place.
The Sox are hitting .278/.325/.438 with eight doubles, five home runs and 25 runs scored (6.3 R/G) over the last four games … they have scored six-plus runs in three of the four contests.
The White Sox are trying to avoid their fourth sweep of the season, and third on the road.
Michael Kopech is 0-3 with a 6.92 ERA (10 ER/13.0 IP) and 12 strikeouts over his last four starts … is winless over his last seven starts since 5/29 (4.91 ERA; 16 ER/29.1 IP).
Andrew Benintendi is hitting .357/.407/.449 (35-98) with nine doubles, 11 RBI, nine walks, 15 runs scored and 11 multi-hit eff orts in 24 games since moving to the leadoff spot on 6/17.
Luis Robert Jr. is batting .303/.358/.705 (37-122) with 14 home runs (nine solo), 25 RBI and a 1.063 OPS in his last 31 games.
LAST NIGHT’S RECAP
Justin Verlander and Adam Ottavino combined on a three-hitter in the Mets 5-1 win, clinching a series victory.
Brett Baty hit a solo home run in the third and the Mets added four runs in the fourth off starter Touki Toussaint.
The White Sox were held hitless through the first three innings before Andrew Benintendi singled to start the fourth … Luis Robert Jr. connected on a solo home run in the seventh.
Toussaint suffered the loss after allowing fi ve runs on four hits with four walks and three strikeouts in 6.0 IP.
The Sox walked once and went 0-3 with RISP.
SENIOR CIRCUIT SURGE
Michael Kopech is 5-3 with a 2.95 ERA (18 ER/55.0 IP), .221 (45-204) opp. average and 53 strikeouts over 18 career appearances (nine starts) vs. the National League.
He has allowed two runs or less in six starts, one or less in five and zero runs four times.
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 47 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 second in the American League with a 1.056 OPS vs. LHP
Ranks sixth among MLB outfielders with eight 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 fi ve 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)
CLOSE CALLS
Sixty-three of Chicago’s 97 games (64.9 pct.) have been decided by three runs or less (27-36) … the Sox are 15-16 in one-run games and 5-8 in two-run games … 35 of the last 38 games since 6/2 at Detroit have been decided by four runs or less.
HOME RUN DERBY
Chicago’s Luis Robert Jr. (3rd, 28) and New York’s Pete Alonso (T5th, 26) rank among the MLB home run leaders in 2023.
Robert Jr. ranks fifth in the major leagues with 17 home runs of 400-plus feet, and Alonso ranks sixth with 16.
WHITE SOX VS. NEW YORK METS
The Mets have won the first two games of the series.
Chicago is hitting .214/.295/.343 with two homers, owns a 9.00 ERA (16 ER/16.0 IP) and has been outscored, 16-11, in 2023.
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 6-9 in the all-time series, going 3-5 at Guaranteed Rate Field and 3-4 at Citi Field.
STARTING PITCHER – #34 MICHAEL KOPECH RHP
KOPECH AT A GLANCE
Is scheduled to make his 18th start of the season, ninth on the road, fifth during interleague play and first career against the New York Mets.
Was reinstated from the 15-day injured list prior to his last start on 7/14 at Atlanta … was placed on the IL on 7/2 (retroactive to 6/29) with right shoulder inflammation.
Owns a 2-4 record, 3.25 ERA (16 ER/44.1 IP), 1.26 WHIP, .195 (31-158) opponents average and 56 strikeouts in his last nine starts, including two 10-strikeout performances during that span.
Has recorded 5.0-plus IP in 10 of his 17 starts this season and 6.0-plus IP six times, allowing just one run in four of those outings.
Went 3-7 with a 4.08 ERA (39 ER/86.0 IP), .217 (68-313) opponents average and 97 strikeouts over 16 starts in the first half of the season … his 86.0 IP and 97 strikeouts were the highest first-half totals in his career.
Is receiving 4.36 runs of support this season (42 RS/86.2 IP) … the Sox have scored six-plus runs in three of his starts and two runs or less in 13.
Has gone 10-18 with 3.88 ERA (101 ER/234.1 IP), .212 (181-854) opponents average and 240 strikeouts in 50 career starts and 3-3 with 3.90 ERA (24 ER/55.1 IP), .225 (47-209) opponents average and 80 strikeouts in 40 career relief appearances.
Has recorded 100-plus strikeouts in each of his last two seasons (2021-22).
Spent his first full season in the major leagues in 2021, pitching out of the bullpen (40 games) while making four starts … opted out of the 2020 season for personal reasons … missed the entire 2019 season recovering from Tommy John surgery (performed on 9/18/18).
LAST START
Suffered the loss on 7/14 at Atlanta, recording his shortest start of the season, working just 0.2 IP … allowed four runs on one hit with four walks and no strikeouts … threw 38 pitches (14 strikes).
Surrendered a grand slam to Matt Olson in the first inning … allowed the first five batters he faced to reach base (1 H/3 BB/1 HB).
Departed the game in the first, leaving two runners on with two outs and the Sox trailing 4-0 … the Sox lost, 9-0.
Owned a 12.5 first-strike percentage and 5.3 swinging-strike percentage (two swing and misses) vs. eight batters … threw 24 four-seam fastballs (94.5 mph avg;
96.1 mph max), 13 sliders (84.0 avg; 85.8 max), one curveballs (78.9 mph avg.
ON THE ROAD
Is 2-2 with a 4.50 ERA (11 ER/22.0 IP) and 18 strikeouts over his last five starts on the road
Has gone 6-8 with a 4.24 ERA (47 ER/99.2 IP) and 97 strikeouts over 23 career road starts.
DAMAGE CONTROL
Opponents are batting .190 (15-79) with RISP, .267 (12-45) with RISP/two outs and .2500 (1-4) with the bases loaded against him this season.
His .190 opponents average with RISP is the seventh-lowest mark in the major leagues in 2023.
Has limited opponents to a.187 (40-214) average with RISP, .202 (23-114) with RISP/two outs and .250 (3-12) with the bases loaded in his career.
HEATER ON AND RELIABLE
His four-seam fastball has held the opposition to a .201 (85-423) batting average, the sixth-lowest in Major League Baseball since 2022 (min. 1,500 fastballs thrown) … opponents own a .217 (39-180) average on his fastball this season, fifth-lowest in MLB (min. 750 fastballs thrown).
Owns the third-highest four-seam fastball usage (62.4%) among pitchers this season (min. 750 pitches thrown) … led MLB starters with at least 2,000 pitches thrown in four-seam fastball usage (61.6%) last season.
Owns a 29.4 swing-and-miss percentage with his four-seam fastball, the 10th-highest percentage in the majors this season among pitchers with at least 200 fastballs thrown … his 57 strikeouts via his four-seamer are the 10th-most in baseball in 2023.
GRAB SOME BENCH
Has recorded 97 strikeouts this season and is on pace to strike out a career-high 162 … needs nine strikeouts to set a new career-high mark of 106 … struck out a career-high 105 batters in 2022.
Ranks ninth in the American League in strikeouts per 9.0 IP (10.07) in 2023.
Has recorded double-digit strikeout performances four times in his career and twice this season … his last 10- plus strikeout game came on 5/29 vs. Los Angeles-AL
(10 SO/4.1 IP).
VS. NEW YORK METS || INTERLEAGUE
Is scheduled to make his first career appearance against the New York Mets and 19th (10th start) during interleague play … marks just his third career start vs. a National League East opponent.
Is 1-3 with a 6.45 ERA (16 ER/22.1 IP), .270 (24-89) opponents average and 18 strikeouts over five interleague starts this season.
Has gone 5-3 with a 2.95 ERA (18 ER/55.0 IP), .221 (45-204) opponents average and 53 strikeouts over 18 career interleague appearances (nine starts).
NEW YORK METS NOTES:
METSCELLANEOUS: The Mets downed the White Sox, 5-1, last night at Citi Field…The Mets have won three straight games…New York continues the second-half with a seven-day, six-game homestand (3-2) against the Los Angeles Dodgers (1-2) and the Chicago White Sox (2-0)…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).
HOW SWEEP IT IS: The Mets are seeking their fifth sweep of the season today against the White Sox…The Mets swept the White Sox only once before in franchise history, from July 30-August 1, 2019 in Chicago…The Mets have won five straight vs. the White Sox…Last night’s victory secured the Mets 10th series victory of the season and their sixth at home.
DOWN ON THE FARM: Catcher Kevin Parada went 2-4 for the Brooklyn Cyclones last night in the team’s 6-4 loss…The backstop has reached base in 12 straight games, posting a .348 (16-46) average in that span with four doubles, one triple, two home runs, five RBI, five walks with a .434 OBP, a .609 SLG and a 1.043 OPS in that span…In 76 games this season, Parada is batting .277/.358/.471 with 19 doubles, four triples, 10 home runs, 35 RBI with an .829 OPS…He is ranked as the top prospect in organization according to MLB.com.
IF YOU START ME UP: The Mets are 29-5 when the starting pitcher throws at least 6.0 innings…New York has gone 14-1 when its starter pitches 7.0+ innings and are a perfect 5-0 when the starter completes 8.0 innings.
HIP, HIP, JOSÉ!: Today, José Quintana will make his 2023 season debut… Quintana began the season on the IL with a left rib fracture…The lefty signed with the Mets in the off-season…In 11 major league seasons, Quintana is 89- 87 with a 3.75 ERA with 504 walks and 1,532 strikeouts…In 32 starts between Pittsburgh and St. Louis, last year, Quintana went 6-7 with a 2.93 ERA (54 ER/165.2 IP) with 47 walks and 137 strikeouts….Since breaking into the majors in 2012, he ranks in the top 10 among left-handed pitchers in starts (third, 289), innings pitched (fourth, 1,723.2), strikeouts (sixth, 1,532) and wins (t-10th, 89)…Quintana is the all-time leader in games (315), innings (1723.2), strikeouts (1532) and wins (89) by Colombian-born pitchers.
SECOND-HALF Q: José Quintana posted a 1.67 ERA (14 ER/75.1 IP) going 4-2 in 14 second half starts last year…He allowed two earned runs or fewer in each of those starts…Overall, he finished eighth in the NL with a 2.93 ERA with the Pirates and Cardinals.
JULY! JULY! JULY!: The Mets are 9-4 through 13 games in this month… The team’s .692 winning percentage is third in the majors and is second in the National League…The Mets have posted a 3.23 ERA (42 ER/117.0 IP), the lowest ERA in National League in July…Only the Mariners (3.18 ERA) have a lower mark in July…The Mets have hit 20 homers this July, tied for the 10thmost in the majors.
IN THE CITI: The Mets have played 44 games at Citi Field this season, tied for the fewest home games in the majors…The Phillies have also played 44 games at home this year…New York is 23-21 at Citi Field this season, posting a 3.93 ERA.
BRETT THE MET: Brett Baty put the Mets on the board with a solo home run to center in the third inning last night…Has homered in back-to-back games for the first time in his career…All seven of Baty’s homers this season have come while at home…He is batting .263 (30-114) with 16 runs, seven doubles, seven homers, 14 RBI, 10 walks with a .323 OBP, a .509 SLG and a .831 OPS in 35 games at home…This compares to a .214/.288/.223 slashline in 35 road games.
THEY’RE OUT OF MY LEAGUE: The Mets are in a stretch of eight consecutive games against American League opponents..They are 2-0 in that span…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 12-10 against the American League this year…Overall, New York owns a 247-237 record in Interleague play…The team’s .509 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 .318 (105-330) with 43 runs, 15 doubles, seven home runs, 41 RBI, 22 walks with a .369 OBP and a .427 SLG in 89 career games against the American League…Marte’s .325 average ranks third, while McNeil’s .318 average ranks fourth among active players in Interleague games.
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 9-6 all-time against the White Sox including a 4-3 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 .323 (10-231) mark with five runs, two doubles, three home runs and nine RBI in 11 career games…Francisco Lindor owns a .270/.344/.447 slashline with 34 extra-base hits and 38 RBI in 92 games against the White Sox.
YOU CAN CALL ME AL: Francisco Alvarez leads all major league catchers in home runs and is tied for first among all rookies in homers with the Rangers’ Josh Jung…He is second in home runs in the majors this month with seven… Only San Diego’s Manny Machado has hit more with nine dingers…He is tied for seventh in MLB with 14 RBI this month and is hitting .381 (16-42) in July… Alvarez Francisco Alvarez has a .534 slugging percentage, which would be the highest ever by a Met in his age 21 season or younger…Only two other Mets have had a .500-plus slugging percentage at that age or younger: David Wright (.525 in 2004) and Darryl Strawberry (.512 mark in1983), both in their age 21 seasons.
SECOND HALF SQUAD: The Mets are 273-238 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 .534 winning percentage during that span is the fourth-best in the NL, behind Los Angeles (.627), St. Louis (.599) and Chicago (.576).
BROOKS WAS HERE: Since returning from the IL on May 14, Brooks Raley has posted a 0.81 ERA (2 ER/22.1 IP) over 27 games…Raley has 18 holds, tied for the third-most in the NL and tied for the sixth-most in the majors…In 22 games at Citi Field this season, Raley has posted a 1.57 ERA (3 ER/17.1 IP) with five walks and 15 punchouts.
STEAL MY SUNSHINE: New York has been successful in all 14 of their stolen base attempts in July, bringing their season tally to 75 steals in 82 attempts… Their 75 steals are tied for eighth in the majors and tied for fifth in the NL… The team’s 91.5 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 49 of their last 50 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 – JOSÉ QUINTANA LHP #62
2023 STATS: 0-0, -.– ERA
METS DEBUT: Quintana will make his first start with the Mets today against his former team in the White Sox…Quintana was with the White Sox from his Major League debut in 2012 until 2017…Quintana signed a two year contract with New York on December 9, 2022…Has been on the IL the entire season due to a stress fracture in his rib cage…Underwent surgery on March 17.
LAST TIME OUT: In his last start with Syracuse on July 8 against the Worcester Red Sox, he allowed five earned runs on four hits and three walks in 4.1 innings while fanning five batters.
REHAB ASSIGNMENT RECAP: Made five appearances across St. Lucie (A), Binghamton (AA) and Syracuse (AAA) as part of his rehab assignment after being placed on the 60-day IL with a left rib fracture…Threw 15.2 innings in five games, four of which were starts, pitching to a 4.60 ERA (8 ER/15.2 IP) while tallying 16 strikeouts compared to eight walks.
LAST GAME VS. CHICAGO-AL: Threw 2.0 scoreless innings in relief on September 27, 2020 while with Chicago-NL…Allowed two hits and one walk while striking out two batters in a 10-8 Cubs victory.
HOT STREAK: Did not allow a home run in his final 61.2 innings, the longest active streak in MLB…Also had the lowest ERA (0.89) in Major League Baseball during the month of September last year and is the lowest ERA in any month in his career.
LEFT ‘EM SPEECHLESS: Reached 1,500 career strikeouts in his start vs. Colorado on August 16, 2022. Currently ranks fifth among active MLB lefties in strikeouts (1,532) behind Clayton Kershaw (2,912), Chris Sale (2,135), Madison Bumgarner (2,070) and Patrick Corbin (1,540).
KNOCK YOUR SOX OFF: Quintana pitched for the White Sox for six seasons (2012-2017) totaling 169 games started with the team and a 3.51 ERA…In 2016, Quintana was an All-Star and placed tenth highest in voting for AL Cy Young Award voting…Will be facing his club for the third time in his career, and Chicago is the only American League team that he has not beaten.
