Just 18 more wins over the Tigers and the Sox are back in it – Lineups & Preview 7/10

SOOOOOOOOOO FUNNY. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports

Last night was unexpected, hysterical, bewildering and other assorted hyperbolic adjectives. As the White Sox–again, if you’re just joining us, a dreadful, odiously poor offensive team–pounded out 11 runs and became first team this year to compile 23 hits in a game while also driving Justin Verlander–last year’s Cy Young runner-up–from the game in shame, a feeling began to wash over the fanbase that this was a singular night to cherish completely.

Midnight was sure to strike, the laughter would fade and time would wash this blissful anomaly away. Literally wash it away.

Wednesday night’s matchup was always going to be, or suppose to be, the anomaly of the series. One team’s increasingly loathed fifth starter against the other. Of course, Porcello has actually stuck at the back end of a rotation for three seasons now while Dylan Axelrod seems unlikely to see his ways through this one, and the still 24 year-old Porcello has substantially upped his strikeout rate this season, though he’s yet to see very encouraging results in response.

In his last five starts, Axelrod had made it through just 22.1 innings and allowed 10 home runs. This is a concern.

White Sox lineup

1. Alejandro De Aza – CF
2. Alexei Ramirez – SS
3. Alex Rios – RF
4. Adam Dunn – 1B
5. Jeff Keppinger – DH
6. Conor Gillaspie – 3B
7. Dayan Viciedo – LF
8. Gordon Beckham – 2B
9. Tyler Flowers – C

Dylan Axelrod, SP

After a year of angry shuffling, Ventura leaves the entire lineup from last night as is, with the exception of sitting young Josh Phegley after an 0-5 night.

Detroit Tigers lineup

1. Austin Jackson – CF
2. Torii Hunter – RF
3. Miguel Cabrera – 3B
4. Prince Fielder – 1B
5. Victor Martinez – DH
6. Jhonny Peralta – SS
7. Andy Dirks – LF
8. Alex Avila – C
9. Ramon Santiago – 2B

Rick Porcello, SP

The Tigers seem to be engaging a left field platoon, so despite Matt Tuiasosopo homering last night and OPS’ing something around 30,000, Andy Dirks gets the pleasure of teeing off on Axelrod. In light of yesterday’s results, I’m going to try to be as negative as possible about Axelrod and bring about his 18-strikeout perfect game.

Where to Watch: CSN for Chicago, Fox Sports Detroit anywhere near Detroit.