Cellar Dwellers Collide When White Sox Host Rockies
Chicago White Sox outfielder Gavin Sheets mentioned a recent heel bruise, stating that moving forward, it will all depend on his pain tolerance. It is a fitting comparison for the remainder of the season for the White Sox and Rockies, who are both facing challenges, as they begin a three-game series in Chicago on Friday.
Battle of the Bottom
With winning probabilities of.265 and.338, respectively, the White Sox and Rockies have the lowest records in baseball.
Recent Performance
Chicago snapped a four- game losing streak with a 1- 0 win against the Atlanta Braves on Thursday. Colorado, on the other hand, is coming off three straight losses. The White Sox are hoping that their first 1- 0 home victory since August 10, 2018, will give them some much- needed momentum as they head into the series.
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Upcoming Challenges
Both teams face tough matchups to start July. Chicago will visit Cleveland, and the Rockies will host Milwaukee, both division leaders.
Rest and Preparation
Colorado had days off on Monday and Thursday, stuffing a two- game series in Houston where they were outscored 12- 3. The White Sox are in the midst of a challenging stretch of 13 consecutive games without a day off. Their Thursday game against Atlanta was a makeup for an April 3 rainout.
Player Updates
Gavin Sheets’ Status
Sheets remains day- to- day due to his heel injury, thoughX-rays were negative. He was forced out of a 4- 0 loss to the Los Angeles Dodgers on Wednesday after hitting a alternate- inning double, Chicago’s onlyextra-base hit in the game.
“ Just jammed the heel a little bit, ” Sheets said. “ Tests have come back enough good. MRIs andX-rays and stuff, so that is a positive. ”
Luis Robert Jr.’s Contribution
Luis RobertJr. was crucial in Thursday’s win, getting two of Chicago’s four hits and scoring the only run with a solo homer in the first inning against Chris Sale.
“ We all know that he’s a really tough pitcher and I went in there trying to look for a pitch in the strike zone, ” Robert said through an interpreter. “ I was suitable to get one. ”
Rockies’ Recent Struggles
In a 7- 1 loss to Houston on Wednesday, Colorado’s only run came from Brenton Doyle’s sacrifice fly in the eighth inning. Ezequiel Tovar managed two of the Rockies ’ four hits in a game where they struck out 14 times.
Pitching Matchup
Dakota Hudson’s Struggles
Rockies ’ right- hander Dakota Hudson( 2- 10,5.63 ERA) will face White Sox rookie Drew Thorpe( 1- 1,5.02 ERA). Hudson has struggled in June, posting a7.45 period in four starts. He’d a particularly rough outing against Washington, lasting just three innings and giving up eight runs on 11 hits.
“ I just had too many balls over the middle, ” Hudson said. “ Whenever I got weak contact, it was through the hole, and whenever I left it over the middle, they got barrels to it. ”
Hudson has a1.69 ERA in two appearances against Chicago, covering51/3 innings.
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Drew Thorpe’s Debut
Thorpe will make his home debut for the White Sox after starting his first three games on the road. He earned his first career victory last Saturday by shutting out the Detroit Tigers over six innings, allowing two hits, four walks, and striking out five.
Conclusion
Both the White Sox and the Rockies are trying to get back on their feet after their respective slumps. This series opener in Chicago is urgent for the two groups as they attempt to turn their seasons around.