A Series Split Is Better Than A Series Loss – Lineups 6/9

I may have mentioned before Jake Peavy’s last start that each outing for him was an audition. Well with Jake Peavy on the shelf for 4-6 weeks it’s unlikely the late auditions he has left will yield the awarding of any roles. I’m not entirely sure I’m emotionally ready to talk about what that means for the White Sox in the long term, so instead we’ll just briefly chat about Peavy’s rotational replacement, Hector Santiago.

Santiago has 5 starts out of 16 2013 appearances, and they’ve been for the most part quite good. His last, 6 innings of 3 hit, 2 run ball against the Red Sox resulted in a loss thanks in no small part to the wonderfully inefficient Sox offense. Hector’s got 3 outings on the year in which he gave up 4 or more walks, the highest being the 5 allowed against Oakland last weekend in a relief appearance of under 2 innings. Unfortunately over his last 7 outings we’ve watched his ERA slowly rise with each.

Attempting to prevent the White Sox from winning their second straight game since May 26 will be A.J. Griffin. Not yet a year since his big league debut, Griffin has assumed a spot in the rotation and is plenty productive. He held the Brewers scoreless in Milwaukee his last start on just 4 hits with 5 strikeouts in 7 innings, representing his most productive start of the season.

Today’s Lineup:

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

The offense came alive late in the last one to keep the Sox from tumbling further into the cellar. No modified Sunday rest lineup for Hector! Let’s hope they can keep it going.

Oakland Athletics Lineup:

1.Coco Crisp – CF
2.Jed Lowrie – 2B
3.Yoenis Cespedes – RF
4.Josh Donaldson – 3B
5.Nate Freiman – 1B
6.Chris Young – DH
7.Josh Reddick – RF
8.John Jaso – C
9.Adam Rosales – SS

Where to Watch
Today’s game will be broadcast on WGN and CSNCA. 1:10 Central start time.