CHICAGO WHITE SOX NOTES:
WHITE SOX AT A GLANCE
The Chicago White Sox have lost eight of the last 11 games, 13 of 18, 25 of 36 and 37 of 54 as they continue their final trip of the season today with the series finale at Washington. RHP Michael Kopech will “open” today’s game for the White Sox, who are a season-high tying 36 games under the .500 mark and have been officially eliminated from postseason contention. The White Sox opened the trip by splitting the first games at the Nationals, including a 6-1 win on Monday night. Following today’s series finale and tomorrow’s off day, Chicago will conclude its road schedule this weekend at Fenway Park … it will finish the 2023 regular season with a six-game homestand vs. San Diego (9/25-27) and Arizona (9/29-10/1). The Sox went 2-5 on their last homestand from 9/11-17 vs. Kansas City (1-2) and Minnesota (1-3) and 2-4 on the last trip from 9/4-10 at the Royals (1-2) and Detroit (1-2).
TODAY’S STORYLINES
The White Sox are trying to win their first series since 8/7-9 vs. the Yankees, and first on the road since 8/4-6 at Cleveland. Sox starters own a 2.08 ERA (6 ER/26.0 IP), .185 (17-92) opp. average and 24 strikeouts over the last four games … starters have allowed one run three times, and recorded three QS. Chicago is looking for its first series win vs. Washington since 6/18-20/10 at Nationals Park. Michael Kopech, today’s “opener,” is 2-5 with an 8.29 ERA (39 ER/42.1 IP), 2.08 WHIP, 12 homers, 42 walks and 36 strikeouts over 13 appearances (10 starts) since the All-Star break. Yoán Moncada has reached safely in 24 of his last 26 games with a plate appearance, batting .340/.373/.567 (33-97) with five homers, 18 RBI, five walks, eight multihit eff orts and a .940 OPS. Luis Robert Jr. has homered in consecutive games five times this season, including a career-high four in a row from 5/12-16.
TODAY’S ROSTER MOVES
The White Sox returned LHP Garrett Crochet from his injury rehab assignment at Class AAA Charlotte and reinstated him from the injured list, and placed RHP Gregory Santos on the 15-day IL with right elbow inflammation. Crochet, who made six rehab appearances, has been on the injured list since 6/17 with left shoulder inflammation. Santos leads Chicago with 60 appearances this season.
FOLLOWING THE “OPENER”
RHP Jesse Scholtens will follow “opener” RHP Michael Kopech in today’s series finale at Washington. Scholtens is 0-6 with a 5.87 ERA (35 ER/53.2 IP), 10 home runs allowed and 38 strikeouts in 11 starts (three QS) this season.
LONG BALL LUIS
Luis Robert Jr. last night extended his career high and franchise record for a center fi elder with his 37th home run of the season. He is just the 11th White Sox (17th time) to hit 37-plus home runs in a season, and the first since 3B Todd Frazier hit 40 in 2016. Robert Jr. is on pace for 39 home runs, just shy of reaching the Top 10 in single-season homers in White Sox history.
GRAB SOME BENCH
Chicago ranks third in the American League and fourth in MLB with 1,404 strikeouts this season … Sox pitchers have struck out 10-plus 70 times, including 14-plus 12 times (1-11 record). The 70 double-digit strikeouts games are the second-most in a season in franchise history (81 in 2021), and the fifth-most in MLB in 2023 … Atlanta leads MLB with 78 games. Dylan Cease ranks third in the American League in strikeouts per 9.0 IP (10.69) and fifth in strikeouts (196). Cease needs four strikeouts to join Chris Sale (2013-16) and Ed Walsh (1910-12) as the only White Sox to record three-plus consecutive seasons of 200 or more strikeouts.
WHITE SOX VS. WASHINGTON NATIONALS
Chicago and Washington are playing for the first time since 2019 … the Nationals won three of four games in 2019, including sweeping a two-game set at Nationals Park on 6/4-5. The Sox have lost 10 of the last 13 contests since 6/26/11. The White Sox are 7-11 all-time vs. the Nationals, going 3-5 at Guaranteed Rate Field and 4-6 in Washington, D.C.
NATION’S CAPITOL CONNECTIONS
Washington manager Dave Martinez played for Chicago from 1996-97, including a career-high 12 home runs in 1997. Nationals OF Alex Call was selected by the White Sox in the third round of the 2016 draft out of Ball State (Ind.) University.
INTERLEAGUE INSIGHT
Chicago is 14-25 vs. the National League (2-10-1 series mark), going 4-13 at Guaranteed Rate Field and 10-12 on the road … both series wins have come on the road (CIN and ATL). The Sox have lost nine of 12 and 18 of the last 26 interleague games … 20 of the last 26 have been decided by four or less. Luis Robert Jr. is hitting .338/.380/.734 (47-139) with 13 doubles, 14 home runs, 35 RBI and a 1.114 OPS in 36 games vs. the N.L. … he ranks among the MLB interleague leaders in slugging pct (1st), OPS (2nd) and home runs (T2nd).
STARTING PITCHER – #62 JESSE SCHOLTENS RHP
SCHOLTENS AT A GLANCE
Is scheduled to make his 26th appearance of the season and first against Washington. Ranks among American League rookies (minimum 75.0 IP) in first-strike percentage (2nd, 65.4), quality starts (T10th, three), and ERA (12th, 4.77). Went 0-3 with a 2.88 ERA (8 ER/25.0 IP) in eight appearances (three starts) from 7/16-8/6. Recorded three consecutive quality starts from 8/1-12, tied for the longest streak by a Sox pitcher this season. Has held opponents to a .188 (16-85) average with eight walks and 21 strikeouts in his first inning pitched. Made his MLB debut on 4/7/23 at Pittsburgh, a day after his 29th birthday, allowing one run on three hits with two walks and four strikeouts over 3.0 IP in relief. Signed a minor-league contract with an invitation to spring training with the White Sox on 12/20/22 … had his contract selected on 4/7, was optioned to Class AAA Charlotte on 4/13 and recalled on 5/22. Was originally selected by San Diego in the ninth round of the 2016 draft out of Wright State (Ohio) University.
LAST START
Suffered his third straight loss on 9/15 vs Minnesota after allowing a season-high six runs (five earned) on seven hits (one home run) with three walks and five strikeouts in 4.0 IP … marked his seventh straight losing decision since 7/23 Exited in the fifth inning with the White Sox trailing, 6-0 … Chicago lost 10-2. Owned a 56.5 first-strike percentage and 8.5 swinging-strike percentage (nine swing and misses) vs. 23 batters … threw 94 pitches (54 strikes) with the following pitch breakdown: 40 four-seam fastballs (93.0 mph avg; 95.3 mph max), 35 sliders (84.7 avg; 88.6 max), 16 curveballs (73.8 avg; 75.4 max) and three changeups (85.6 avg; 85.9 max).
LEFTY LIVIN’
Is the only MLB pitcher (minimum 125 PA) who hasn’t surrendered a home run to a left-handed hitter this year. Is looking to become the 12th White Sox pitcher (14th time) to accomplish the feat in a single season and first since Carlos Rodón and Chris Sale (2015). Is limiting left-handed hitters to a .235/.303/.275 (35- 149) slash line with 14 walks and 30 strikeouts in 2023.
OF LATE
Has tallied a career-high six strikeouts two of his last eight starts, recording at least two strikeouts in eight of his last ten outings. Has tallied a career-high six strikeouts two of his last nine starts, recording at least two strikeouts in nine of his last 10 outings. Leads the team and ranks second among MLB rookie pitchers with a 65.4 first pitch strike percentage (minimum 75. IP).
WHAT A RELIEF
Is scheduled to make his 15th relief appearance and first since 7/29 vs. Cleveland Is 0-6 with a 5.87 ERA (35 ER/53.2 IP), .318 (71-223) opponents average, 18 walks and 38 strikeouts in 10 starts (three quality), compared to a 1-3 record with a 2.76 ERA (9 ER/29.1 IP), .213 (23-108) opponents average, 10 walks and 19 strikeouts in 14 relief outings this year. l Is 0-3 with a 2.55 ERA (5 ER/17.2 IP) in nine relief appearances on the road in 2023.
MAKE IT A DOUBLE
Has forced hitters to ground into eight double plays, tied for seventeenth-most among American League rookies. His 0.87 GIDP/9 (8 GIDP/ 79.0 IP) ranks seventh among AL rookies.
QUALITY GUY
Recorded three consecutive quality starts from 8/1-12, tied for the longest streak by a White Sox pitcher this year … Dylan Cease, Lucas Giolito and Lance Lynn also have recorded three straight QS this season.
VS. WASHINGTON NATIONALS || INTERLEAGUE
Is scheduled to make his first career appearance against Washington. Is 0-2 in his two relief appearances against Minnesota, allowing two unearned runs in 0.2 IP with three hits, one walk (intentional) and no strikeouts. Is 0-2 with a 5.71 ERA (11 ER/17.1 IP), .271 (19-70) opponents average, 11 walks and 15 strikeouts in six appearances (two starts) in interleague play this year.
WASHINGTON NATIONALS NOTES:
No team release available.
