Just win three games – Lineups & Preview 9/21

Sep 20, 2013; Detroit, MI, USA; Chicago White Sox center fielder Jordan Danks (20) walks off the field after he strikes out in the eighth inning against the Detroit Tigers at Comerica Park. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports

There’s just nine games left in this bizarre, torturous chapter in White Sox existence. Thanks to a recent spate of innings pitched by Dylan Axelrod, Ramon Troncoso and David Purcey, winning at all seems like an impossible feat requiring bizarre deviations from reality to take place, and the 3-6 requirement for the Sox to avoid an 100-loss season seems like a Sisyphean hill. Or something else hard to do.

And yet, a returning Avisail Garcia, freshly burdened with the requirements of fatherhood brings the potential to…oh who knows, hopefully account for two runs singlehandedly per game, four more contests will be started by Chris Sale and Jose Quintana (barring further shutdowns), and assuming they both pitch complete game shutouts, the Sox can do this thing. 3-6 can be a reality! Dare to believe!

White Sox Lineup:

1. Leury Garcia – CF
2. Marcus Semien – SS
3. Conor Gillaspie – 3B
4. Paul Konerko – 1B
5. Avisail Garcia – RF
6. Jordan Danks – LF
7. Jeff Keppinger – DH
8. Gordon Beckham – 2B
9. Bryan Anderson – C

Chris Sale, SP

In seriousness, Avisail’s .306/.338/.444, BABIP-inflated batting line in a White Sox unifrom–while perfectly fine and good–probably isn’t enough to drag the team to the promised land on its own. He’ll probably need some help from someone in front of him.

Leury Garcia has a sub-.300 OBP in a White Sox uniform, but uh…he’s reached base in each of his last two starts and has stolen five bases in seven attempts. Marcus Semien is hitting an empty .314 so far, but has had fine results when he’s made contact and is rumored to look like a ballplayer. Conor Gillaspie is hitting a crisp .272/.331/.426 against right-handed pitching, which is a stark contrast to Undead Paul Konerko, who is useless.

Tigers Lineup:

1. Austin Jackson – CF
2. Torii Hunter – RF
3. Miguel Cabrera – 3B
4. Prince Fielder – 1B
5. Victor Martinez – DH
6. Matt Tuiasosopo – LF
7. Omar Infante – 2B
8. Ramon Santiago – SS
9. Brayan Pena – C

Rick Porcello, SP

With no Jose Iglesias, it’s safe to hit it to the left side of the infield again. One might even say it’s encouraged.

Where to Watch: 6:08 pm (?!?) CT on CSN Chicago and Fox Sports Detroit

Follow James Fegan on Twitter @JRFegan