So We Meet Again – Lineups 5/17

We’ve seen this one before, no? “How did that work out for you?” I smugly ask an Angels fan. The last time Chris Sale and C.J. Wilson faced each other was less than a week ago and it worked out quite well for Sale and the White Sox. Like, 9 innings and 1 hit well. Wilson wasn’t awful but failed to dominate a feeble White Sox offense the way that opposing pitchers had grown accustomed. The game represented a valley in the Pale Hose break from offensive futility. The team hasn’t been so helpless with the bats since then, averaging almost 5 runs a game in the last 5 games, and for this team that’s an achievement. Light opponents? Good timing? Season turnaround? We’ll find out soon, and the longer we wait the better.

Not only was Chris Sale’s Sunday Night Baseball outing stellar, it was very nearly magical. Not until Mike Trout singled up the middle in the 7th inning did any Angels player reach base. Which, in hindsight, may have been a bit of a blessing for Alexei Ramirez, who would have caught a lot more heat for a 9th inning throwing error had the game still been perfect at the time. It also represented Sale’s seventh game completing the 7th inning out of eight tries. He’s allowed more than 3 runs only in the single outing that he did not pitch deep into the game. Anaheim’s alleged “marine layer”, along with the confidence and swagger that accompanies having recently shut a lineup down puts the Chicago lefty in a good position to continue his streak of effectiveness.

Without that distraction of his

Chicago-based Mazda dealership to sap any of his attention, C.J. Wilson will be fully focused on trying to bring the Sox offense back down to previous production levels. Wilson is without a terrible start this season, he’s also without a dominating one. He’s allowed between five and seven hits in all 8 of his starts, typically goes 6 innings, and typically gives up 3 runs. He’s been consistent.

Today’s Lineup:

1.De Aza – CF
2.Ramirez – SS
3.Rios – RF
4.Konerko – DH
5.Dunn – 1B
6.Viciedo – LF
7.Keppinger – 2B
8.Gillaspie – 3B
9.Flowers – C

Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim Lineup:

1.Erick Aybar – SS
2.Mike Trout – CF
3.Albert Pujols 1B
4.Mark Trumbo – LF
5.Josh Hamilton – RF
6.Howie Kendrick – 2B
7.Alberto Callaspo – 3B
8.Hank Conger – C
9.Luis Jimenez – DH

Where to Watch
Today’s White Sox game can be seen on CSN for the Chicago area and Fox Sports West in Orange County people. 9:05 Central start time.