CHICAGO WHITE SOX NOTES:
WHITE SOX AT A GLANCE
The Chicago White Sox have lost three straight games and 17 of their last 24 as they open a five-game, six-game trip tonight against the crosstown-rival Cubs at Wrigley Field.
RHP Touki Toussaint is scheduled to start for the White Sox, who are a season-high tying 25 games under .500 The Sox are coming off a 2-4 homestand vs. the Yankees (2-1) and Milwaukee (0-3), which ended on Sunday with a 7-3 loss to the Brewers.
Following this two-game series and a day off on Thursday, the White Sox conclude the trip this weekend with three games at Colorado (8/18-20) before returning home for seven games vs. Seattle (8/21-23) and Oakland (8/24-27).
The Sox went 2-4 on their last trip to Texas (0-3) and Cleveland (2-1) from 8/1-6.
TONIGHT’S STORYLINES
The White Sox have won five straight games at Wrigley Field, seven of their last eight and nine of 11.
The Sox are hitting .278/.333/.560 with 23 home runs and 46 runs scored (5.8 R/G) in their last eight games at Wrigley Field.
Eloy Jiménez is a .364/.444/.818 (20-55) hitter with six home runs and 19 RBI in 15 career games against the Cubs, and a .433/.469/1.000 (13-30) hitter with fi ve doubles, four homers and eight RBI in eight games at Wrigley Field.
Luis Robert Jr. is a .381/.458/.782 (1-42) hitter with four homers, 10 RBI and 14 runs scored in 11 career games against the Cubs.
Elvis Andrus is hitting .371/.371/.600 (13-35) with five doubles, one home run and 11 RBI in his last 10 games.
Andrew Vaughn is batting .333/.346/.529 (17-51) with three home runs and six RBI in his last 14 games.
WHITE SOX SIGN TRAVIS SWAGGERTY
The White Sox have agreed to terms with OF Travis Swaggerty on a minor-league deal.
Swaggerty, 25, hit .195/.319/.364 (15-77) with four doubles, three triples, one home run and five RBI in 22 games this season with Class A Bradenton, Class A Greensboro and Class AAA Indianapolis in the Pittsburgh organization before being released on 7/17.
Swaggerty originally was selected by the Pirates in the first round (10th overall) of the 2017 draft out of South Alabama.
SUNDAY’S RECAP
Milwaukee completed a three-game sweep of the White Sox with a 7-3 victory.
Carlos Santana extended the Brewers lead to 5-0 with a three-run homer off Aaron Bummer in the eighth, the first allowed this season by the Sox left-hander.
The Sox scored three runs in the ninth to avoid the shutout, but were swept by the Brewers for the first time since 4/7-10/86 at old Comiskey Park.
Dylan Cease suffered the loss despite allowing just two runs on five hits over a season-high 7.0 IP.
Elvis Andrus went 2-5 with two RBI, Andrew Vaughn was 3-4 with a run scored, and Carlos Peréz was 2-4 with a double, RBI and run scored.
HURRY BACK DJ!
Longtime White Sox radio analyst Darrin Jackson will miss this series as he recovers from hip replacement surgery performed on Friday in Chicago … Jackson is hopeful to rejoin the booth this weekend in Colorado.
ROBERT’S REMARKABLE RUN
Luis Robert Jr. is attempting to win his first Silver Slugger Award and his second Rawlings Gold Glove® Award (2020) … Robert Jr. would become the first player in White Sox history to win both of those awards in the same season.
Below is additional information from his season to date.
Is the 10th player in White Sox history (27th time) to record 30-plus doubles and 30-plus home runs in a season … Robert Jr. and Mookie Betts are the only MLB players to record those numbers in 2023;
Ranks among the American League leaders in numerous categories, including HR (2nd, 31), SLG (2nd, .563) and XBH (2nd, 62);
Is the only player in MLB with 30-plus 2B, 30-plus HR, 65-plus RBI,
70-plus runs scored and 15-plus SB;
Needs four SB to join Magglio Ordóñez (2001) as the only players in
Sox history to hit 30-plus 2B and HR with 20-plus SB;
His 31 HR are the most in Sox history by a CF and the most by an
OF since Jermaine Dye (34) in 2008 … is the 23rd player in franchise
history (52x) to hit 30 or more in a season;
Is on pace for 43 HR, which would tie Frank Thomas (2000) for the
third-highest total in Sox history behind Albert Belle (49 in 1998) and
Jermaine Dye (44 in 2006).
WHITE SOX VS. CHICAGO CUBS
The Cubs lead the season series, 2-0, after sweeping a pair of games at Guaranteed Rate Field from 7/25-26, including a 10-7 win in the finale after trailing, 7-2.
The White Sox have won five straight games at Wrigley Field (28-13 margin), seven of their last eight and nine of 11 … they swept a two-game series in 2022 and three-game set in 2023.
The Sox are 73-67 all-time vs. the Cubs, going 36-35 at Guaranteed Rate Field and 37-32 at Wrigley Field … the Cubs own a 646-641 edge in runs scored in the all-time series.
CROSSTOWN CONNECTIONS
OF Eloy Jiménez and RHP Dylan Cease were Cubs farmhands before being traded to the White Sox with two minor-leaguers in exchange for LHP José Quintana on 7/13/17.
Steve Stone and Darrin Jackson played for both clubs during their careers … Stone spent 20 seasons (1983-2000, 2003-’04) in the Cubs TV booth working primarily with Larry and Chip Caray.
Len Kasper was the Cubs TV voice before joining the White Sox radio booth prior to the 2021 season.
Cubs RHP Codi Heuer (injured list) and INF Nick Madrigal played for the White Sox … Cubs third-base coach Willie Harris was a member of the Sox 2005 World Series championship club.
INTERLEAGUE INSIGHT
The White Sox are 264-251 (.513) all-time in interleague play (130-128 on the road), the 10th-best record in MLB.
The Sox are 11-21 this season after going 11-9 in 2022 and 14-6 in 2021.
The White Sox are tied with Texas for third all-time with 639 home runs, trailing only Toronto (675) and the Yankees (647).
Eloy Jiménez is a .284/.339/.517 (74-261) hitter with 16 home runs and 46 RBI in 71 career interleague games … Luis Robert Jr. owns a .298/.351/.579 (72-242) slash line with 17 homers and 45 RBI in 65 career interleague games.
STARTING PITCHER – #47 TOUKI TOUSSAINT RHP
TOUSSAINT AT A GLANCE
Is scheduled to make his eighth start (12th appearance) of the season and fifth (seventh) on the road.
Owns a 1-4 record with a 4.22 ERA (20 ER/42.2 IP), .201 (30-149) opponents average, 27 walks and 45 strikeouts with the White Sox in 2023.
Has worked at least 5.0 IP in five of his last seven appearances (five starts) … has struck out 34 during that span.
Is limiting left-handed hitters to a .195/.351/.299 (17-87) slash line with 20 walks and 17 strikeouts this year.
Opponents are batting .186/.371/.233 (8-43) with RISP and .056/.370/.111 (1-18) with RISP/two-outs this year.
Was claimed off waivers by the White Sox on 6/20 after being designated for assignment by Cleveland on 6/17.
Made his major-league debut with Atlanta on 8/13/18 vs. Miami, allowing one run on two hits over 6.0 IP.
Was originally selected by Arizona in the first round (16th overall) of the 2014 First-Year Player Draft.
LAST START Suffered his second straight loss on 8/8 vs. New York-AL … allowed four runs on six hits with a season-high tying five walks and a season-high tying nine strikeouts … struck out nine-plus batters in his second straight start and for the fourth time in his career.
Exited in the sixth inning with the White Sox trailing, 4-1 … threw 106 pitches (63 strikes).
Owned a 50.7 first-strike percentage and 10.4 swinging-strike percentage (14 swing and misses) vs. 22 batters … threw 37 curveballs (77.5 mph avg; 87.9 mph max), 32
four-seam fastballs (94.2 avg; 96.0 max), 29 sinkers (93.6 avg; 95.8 max) and eight splitters (88.1 avg; 89.3 max).
START YOUR ENGINES
Will be making his 31st career start and eighth this year (seventh with Chicago).
Has gone 6-12 with a 5.31 ERA (82 ER/139.0 IP), .233 (119-511) opponents average, 82 walks and 148 strikeouts in his 30 starts (six quality).
Is 1-5 with a 5.08 ERA (19 ER/33.2 IP) in his seven starts this year.
START STRONG
Is holding batters to a .088/.225/.118 (3-34) slash line in his first IP this year.
First batters faced are hitting .182 (6-33) and is limiting opponents to a .193/.328/.344 (84-436) slash line the first time through the order lifetime.
Owns a 2.08 ERA (7 ER/30.1 IP) in the first inning, his lowest career ERA for any inning.
WALK IT OUT
Is averaging 6.22 walks per 9.0 IP (32 BB/46.1 IP), the second-highest among MLB pitchers (minimum 45.0 IP).
Has walked at least one batter in 10 of his 11 appearances and four-plus in six outings this year.
DEBUT ON 35TH AND SHIELDS
Made his White Sox debut on 6/21 vs. Texas, spinning 4.0 hitless IP with two walks and four strikeouts in relief.
Became the second Sox pitcher in franchise history to throw 4.0-plus hitless IP in his White Sox debut, joining Wilson Álvarez who threw a no-hitter on 8/11/91
TELL ME MORE
Has limited right-handers to a career .221/.331/.355 (100-453) slash line while lefties have hit .237/.391/.427 (80-337) against him.
Was named Atlanta’s Minor League Pitcher of the Year in 2018.
Spent time on the IL to start the 2021 season with a right shoulder strain before making his season debut on 7/20 … allowed two runs over 13.2 IP (1.32 ERA) in his
first two starts of 2021.
Was designated for assignment by the Braves on 7/2/22 and traded to the Los Angeles Angles … signed as a free agent with the Guardians on 1/4/23.
VS. CHICAGO CUBS || INTERLEAGUE
Is scheduled to make his fourth career appearance (first start) vs. the Chicago Cubs and third at Wrigley Field.
Is 0-0 with a 2.45 ERA (1 ER/3.2 IP), .152 (2-13) opponent average, one walk and three strikeouts lifetime.
Last faced the Cubs on 7/26 at Guaranteed Rate Field, throwing 1.0 perfect IP in relief.
Is 2-6 with a 7.40 ERA (40 ER/48.2 IP), .266 (50-188) opponents average, 25 walks and 47 strikeouts during interleague play in his career.
CHICAGO CUBS NOTES:
Cubs vs. White Sox
The Cubs and the crosstown rival White Sox play four times this season with two two-game series … the clubs wrap up the season series this week after the Northsiders swept the first two contests July 25-26 at Guaranteed Rate Field …the Cubs are looking for their first season series win against the Pale Hose since 2018.
CROSSTOWN TILT: The Chicago Cubs today begin a brief two-game set against the Chicago White Sox to kick off a five-game homestand that continues with three games against the Kansas City Royals, starting Friday … the Cubs on Sunday finished a six-game sojourn at the Mets (1-2) and Blue Jays (1-2) with an 11-4 setback … yesterday was the team’s second of three off days in an eight-day span.
The Cubs are 5-3 in their last eight games, 8-4 in their last 12 and 19-7 in their last 26 contests since July 18 … following play on July 20, the Cubs sat 7.0-games out of a wild-card spot and 8.5-games back of the division lead … the club enters today 1.0-game back of the third wild card spot and 3.5-games back of division-leading Milwaukee.
This is the seventh game (3-3) in a stretch that sees Chicago play 13 of 18 games on the road through Aug. 27.
Chicago is 12-3 in games following an off day this season.
The Cubs +64 run differential ranks third in the N.L. behind the Braves (+201) and the Dodgers (+136).
SERIES STUFF: Thanks in part to their series win in Toronto last weekend (2-1), the Cubs have won seven of their last eight series dating to July 17 vs. the Nationals.
COMFORTS OF HOME: Chicago enters this White Sox series having won 10 of its last 13 games at Wrigley Field starting with July 18’s victory over the Nationals … prior to this 10-3 run at home, the Cubs went 2-9 at the Friendly Confines from June 18-July 17.
Chicago in its last 13 home games since July 18 has batted .313 (141-for-450) with 106 runs scored, 23 home runs, a .385 on-base percentage and a .558 slugging mark … Cubs pitching in this span has posted a 4.69 ERA (61 ER/117.0 IP) with 47 walks and 124 strikeouts.
HENDRICKS ON THE BUMP: Kyle Hendricks toes the rubber this evening with 1,136 career strikeouts, ninth-most in franchise history and two behind Hippo Vaughn (1,138)
for eighth.
Hendricks tonight makes his 39th career interleague start for Chicago, extending his franchise record (Jon Lester is second, 32) … Hendricks’ 11 interleague victories are third in franchise annals behind Lester (16) and Jake Arrieta (13).
INTERLEAGUE INTERLUDE: Tonight is the fourth of 11-straight games against the American League … following this two-game set against the White Sox, the Cubs host the Royals for three over the weekend before heading to Detroit for three games against the Tigers next week.
Chicago is 5-2 in its last seven interleague contests since July 15 and is 20-18 against the A.L. this season … the club’s .526 winning percentage in interleague play is eighth in the N.L.
NICE WORK BY NICO: Nico Hoerner has reached base in 25 of 28 games since the AllStar break, including a current 12-game on-base streak … Hoerner leads the team in
total bases (185) this season.
Hoerner leads the team in hits (128) and runs scored (71) … his 29 stolen bases rank tied for third in the N.L. and his 128 hits rank tied for eighth.
SAVING THE DAY: Adbert Alzolay on Saturday earned the save in his 12th-straight opportunity while his 16 saves this season lead the team … the 12-straight converted save opportunities are the most by a Cub since Craig Kimbrel converted 16 consecutive save chances May 18-July 25, 2021.
Since July 5, Alzolay’s 12 saves lead the majors.
SINCE THE BREAK…: Entering today, in 29 games since the All-Star break, Chicago has scored 187 runs, second-most in the majors behind only Atlanta (196) … the Cubs’ .282 team average (282-for-999) since the break is the second-highest in the majors behind the Braves (.290) and the club’s .846 OPS during that span trails only the Braves .903.
Chicago’s 19-10 record (.655 winning percentage) since the break is fourth in the majors and second in the N.L. behind the Dodgers (.714/20-8).
YOU BETTER BELLI-EVE IT: Cody Bellinger, July’s N.L. Player of the Month, this season is batting .328 (108-for-329) with 19 doubles, one triple, 18 homers, 59 RBI and 17 stolen bases … entering play today, Bellinger and Atlanta’s Ronald Acuña Jr. are the only major leaguers to have at least a .328 average, 18 home runs and 17 stolen bases this season.
THERE HE GOMES!: Five of Yan Gomes’ last nine hits have been doubles, including one that snapped an 0-for-17 hitless streak Aug. 8 at the Mets … since July 20, Gomes is tied for the major league lead in doubles (9) with Los Angleles’ Freddie Freeman and Mookie Betts, Milwaukee’s William Contreras and Seattle’s Jose Rodriguez. THE CANDY MAN CAN: Jeimer Candelario is second in the N.L. with 35 doubles between the Nationals and Cubs this season, trailing only the Dodgers Freddie Freeman (43).
Candelario is hitting .425 (17-for-40) with a .489 on-base percentage and a .625 slugging mark in his first 11 games with the Cubs after he was acquired from the Nationals July 31 … he has reached safely in nine of his first 11 games with Chicago, collecting five doubles, one homer, nine runs and three RBI.
Starting Pitcher – #28 RHP Kyle Hendricks (4-6, 3.96)
Last Time Out
Kyle did not factor in the decision in his most recent start, a 4-3 setback at the Mets Aug. 9 … tossed 4.0 scoreless innings before allowing a two-run homer to Pete Alonso in the fifth … departed the game tied 2-2 after 5.0 innings (94 pitches).
Date Opp. Result IP H R ER BB SO PC-S Left
8/9 @NYM ND, 3-4 5.0 5 2 2 2 6 94-58 2-2
2023 Splits and Season Notes
W-L ERA G GS IP H R ER BB SO
Home 1-4 5.50 7 7 36.0 44 24 22 5 26
Road 3-2 2.86 8 8 50.1 39 21 16 9 31
AVG vs. LHB: .231 (40-for-173) / AVG vs. RHB: .265 (43-for-162)
Kyle will make his 16th start of the 2023 campaign, his eighth at home … has posted a 2.86 ERA (16 ER/50.1 IP) on the road this season, compared to a 5.50 ERA (22 ER/36.0 IP) in seven starts at Wrigley Field … has held opponents to a .161 average (27-for-168) with 42 strikeouts against his changeup … tonight makes his 13th start against the White Sox, tying Carlos Zambrano for the most by a Cub in the Crosstown Classic.
July 25, made his 12th career start vs. the White Sox, the second-most by a Cubs pitcher trailing Carlos Zambrano (13).
Walked one batter in five starts from June 29-July 19 (29.1 IP), his fewest in a five-game span in his career.
Started July 9 at New York (A.L.) and July 14 vs. Boston, becoming the first Cubs pitcher since Carlos Zambrano (July 8-13, 2007) to start back-to-back team games.
Posted a 1.95 ERA (7 ER/32.1 IP) in five starts from June 10-July 4, allowing three runs or fewer in all five outings … his 1.95 ERA was the fourth-lowest in the majors during that span (min. 5 GS).
June 10 in San Francisco, carried a no-hit bid into the eighth … the 7.2 inning nohit bid was the second-longest of his career (Sept. 12, 2016 at St. Louis, 8.0 IP).
Became the 12th pitcher in Cubs history to pitch for the Cubs in at least 10 season (last Kerry Wood).
Made his season debut May 25 vs. Mets (3 ER/4.1 IP), his first major league start since July 5, 2022.
Made five rehab starts with Triple-A Iowa, going 2-1 with a 5.75 ERA (13 ER/20.1 IP) … allowed two runs or fewer in each of his last three rehab starts, posting a 1.69 ERA (3 ER/16.0 IP) during those outings.
Began the season on the 15-day injured list, as he rehabbed from a capsular tear in his right shoulder that he suffered in July 2022.
