For real this time, I hear it might rain – Lineups 5/27
By James Fegan
The last time the White Sox saw Jeff Samardzija, he allowed a first inning home run to Paul Konerko (who is not quite in the same state he was in this time last year), drilled Konerko in the face with a pitch that’s lack of intent was obscured by the damage it caused and perhaps Samardzija’s somewhat confrontational bedside nature, seethed in the dugout when Philip Humber much more blatantly threw behind Bryan LaHair (remember him!?), allowed a Wrigley Field wind-aided Gordon Beckham (currently injured) home run that decided the game, but also struck out eight batters over 7.1 innings.
Not the best matchup. Big, power arms that rack up strikeouts offer up concerns for the White Sox. After Samardzija’s early month troubles, he’s been lights-out again his last two times on the mound. His win-loss record is 2-6, indicating he’s had a hard time overcoming how bad his team’s offense is.
Tyler Flowers is back in the lineup after missing three-straight games with back spasms, the Sox will reel in whatever benefits that brings.
White Sox lineup
1. Alejandro De Aza – CF
2. Alexei Ramirez – SS
3. Alex Rios – RF
4. Adam Dunn – DH
5. Paul Konerko – 1B
6. Dayan Viciedo – LF
7. Conor Gillaspie – 3B
8. Jeff Keppinger – 2B
9. Tyler Flowers – C
Jose Quintana, SP
On the other hand, Jose Quintana is straight-up giving us all the vapors with his tangible step forward this season. His fastball velocity is up a mile per hour, his strikeout rate is up 4% with no change in his control. He’s also 24 and under team control for five more seasons. Those homegrown prospects who step into the rotation right away are real bargains
The Cubs offense is a solid 11th-best in the National League in total production and last in all of baseball in walk-rate, which makes it curious to see how they’ll react to someone pounding the zone with fastballs. They actually have the third-best isolated power score in the National League. No walks, poor production, but plenty of dingers–these two clubs belong together.
Marlins lineup
1. Julio Borbon – CF
2. Starlin Castro – SS
3. Anthony Rizzo – 1B
4. Alfonso Soriano – LF
5. Scott Hairston – DH
6. Wellington Castillo – C
7. Cody Ransom – 3B
8. Ryan Sweeney – RF
9. Darwin Barney – 2B
Jeff Samardzija, SP
Because it’s Memorial Day, it’s only fitting that the teams will be wearing sand-colored camouflage uniforms. Chances are this insistence on honoring the military during baseball games would seem less intrusive and overbearing if its iterations were less hideous.
Where to Watch: WGN for White Sox feed, CSN for Cubs feed. It might start raining at 8pm.
Follow James Fegan on Twitter @JRFegan