Let us not feign surprise when this game goes right to hell – Lineups & Preview 9/22

Sep 21, 2013; Detroit, MI, USA; Detroit Tigers second baseman

(4) is mobbed by teammates after he hits a game winning RBI single in the twelfth inning against the Chicago White Sox at Comerica Park. Detroit won 7-6 in twelve innings. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports

There’s a lot of hysteria going around about the awful things the White Sox did on Saturday night. With all the dismay and outcry and outrage, it’s important we drill down exactly what the sins were. No one wants to overstate things or take dramatic license.

Q: Did the White Sox really betray Chris Sale again Saturday night?

A: Sadly, yes. They lured him out onto a raft and pushed him out into the ocean, where he will fade into obscurity. At least Sale seemed at peace with it, clutching his most prized possession to his chest and flashing a smile indicating he accepted his grizzly fate long ago.

Q: Were the White Sox revealed to be not so much a baseball team as a drug-trafficking ring (Hint: the “Sox” are just full of heroin)?

A: False! Contrary to a pernicious rumor that somehow keeps picking up steam, the White Sox are in fact a major league baseball team. A baseball team that does not smuggle heroin, since “no heroin” might be the only actual stipulation of the White Sox lease agreement with the state.

Q: Holy cats! Did the White Sox blow a six-run lead Saturday night? How did they even get a six-run lead?! If they can screw up that situation, what reason do we have to ever trust that they could do something as bland as win three out of eight games!?? Do you ever wonder if they deserve to lose 100 games? Like maybe it would be better that way?

A: This is actually running a bit long, so hhhheerrrrrrreee’s the lineup!

White Sox Lineup:

1. Alejandro De Aza – LF
2. Alexei Ramirez – SS
3. Conor Gillaspie – 1B
4. Avisail Garcia – RF
5. Jordan Danks – CF
6. Jeff Keppinger – DH
7. Gordon Beckham – 2B
8. Josh Phegley – C
9. Marcus Semien – 3B

Erik Johnson, SP

Erik Johnson has put a dominant outing against the Twins in between him and his debacle against the Tigers where he failed to make it out of the fourth inning. He’ll need to hold back his control problems (Eight walks in 15.2 innings) to have a chance against even a Miggy-free Tigers lineup that’s drawn 11 free passes in their first two wins this weekend.

His supporting offensive lineup has three rookies in the 3-4-5 slots.

Tigers Lineup:

1. Austin Jackson – CF
2. Andy Dirks – RF
3. Prince Fielder – 1B
4. Victor Martinez – DH
5. Don Kelly – 3B
6. Alex Avila – C
7. Omar Infante – 2B
8. Ramon Santiago – SS
9. Nick Castellanos – LF

Anibal Sanchez, SP

With no Jose Iglesias on defense, no Miguel Cabrera or Torii Hunter in the lineup, the Tigers are tying both hands behind their back, but still look primed to headbutt the Sox to death. Victor Martinez is hitting .433/.480/.627 against the White Sox this season. There’s probably no specific reason why it’s happening. Just because.

Where to Watch: 12:08 pm (?!?) CT on CSN Chicago and Fox Sports Detroit

Follow James Fegan on Twitter @JRFegan