May 18, 2013; Anaheim, CA, USA; Chicago White Sox relief pitcher Hector Santiago (53) pitches in the third inning against the Los Angeles Angels at Angel Stadium of Anaheim. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports

Chris Sale has been fairly ridiculous this season. He’s pitching deep into games, he’s not allowing runs, he’s striking out nearly a quarter of the batters that face him. Trying to complete a sweep against the Red Sox with Sale on the mound wouldn’t be a given, but it would look pretty good.

Instead, Sale will miss this start with what is being termed as mild shoulder tendinitis. Taking his place is Hector Santiago.

I like Hector, you like Hector, we all like Hector, but heck, Hector is no Chris Sale. Six earned runs (Nine total) have crossed the plate in Santiago’s last two starts, both coming against offenses that were either born weak or were struggling at the moment.

In his latest against the Angels, his control fell apart and he issued four free passes. We’ve seen the good this year, we’ve seen the bad, and we know that Hector Santiago is capable of making quality starts and even dominating ones. If he dominates today, the White Sox will have surprised many folks by taking three out of three against a team that entered town the clear favorite to be the ones doing the sweeping.

Today’s Lineup:

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

To stave off the brooms, Boston starter Clay Buchholz will give his best, which is pretty much all he’s given this season. He hasn’t been blown up at all yet this year and is pacing the American League with a 1.78 ERA.

He’s only allowed 2 HRs in the year and what could be considered his biggest weakness so far, his walk rate, can be easily hidden by a regularly overanxious White Sox lineup. Here’s to patience, and ruffling the feathers of those bloody Sox.

Boston Red Sox Lineup:

1. Jacoby Ellsbury – CF
2. Jonny Gomes – LF
3. Dustin Pedroia – 2B
4. David Ortiz – DH
5. Mike Napoli – 1B
6. Daniel Nava – RF
7. Will Middlebrooks – 3B
8. Stephen Drew – SS
9. Jarrod Saltamacchia – C

Where to Watch

Today’s White Sox game can be watched on CSN for Chicago and NESN in Boston. 7:10 pm CT start time.

Joe Blanton has never had any great seasons. He’s participated in 10 of them now and this one is on its way to being the worst if he doesn’t right the ship. In his last outing he did not escape the 5th against the Royals as they put up 7 runs, all earned. The outing pushed his ERA back north of 6, where he has resided for most of the season.

When he’s not chatting with fans on Twitter, Hector Santiago is taking the ball every fifth day and heading out to the mound. It’s been so far so good, despite having to battle through some errors in his last outing, a loss to Twins. That happens to be the last time they White Sox dropped a game, and I don’t think Hector really wants the team’s last two L’s to be next to his name. He’s managed to keep the ball in the zone and not hand out the free passes; if he continues that trend, the Angels pitching friendly park should help him out with the rest.

It’s Armed Forces Day and the guys will be wearing camouflage uniforms as a tribute.

Today’s Lineup:

1. Wise – CF
2. Ramirez – SS
3. Rios – RF
4. Dunn – 1B
5. Konerko – DH
6. Gillaspie – 3B
7. Viciedo – LF
8. Gimenez – C
9. Greene – 2B

DeWayne Wise is leading off.

Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim Lineup:

1. Erick Aybar – SS
2. Mike Trout – CF
3. Albert Pujols 1B
4. Mark Trumbo – DH
5. Josh Hamilton – RF
6. Howie Kendrick – 2B
7. Alberto Callaspo – 3B
8. Chris Iannetta – C
9. J.B. Shuck – LF

Where to Watch
Today’s White Sox game can be watched on FOX locally. 3:05 Central start time.

Not only was Chris Sale’s Sunday Night Baseball outing stellar, it was very nearly magical. Not until Mike Trout singled up the middle in the 7th inning did any Angels player reach base. Which, in hindsight, may have been a bit of a blessing for Alexei Ramirez, who would have caught a lot more heat for a 9th inning throwing error had the game still been perfect at the time. It also represented Sale’s seventh game completing the 7th inning out of eight tries. He’s allowed more than 3 runs only in the single outing that he did not pitch deep into the game. Anaheim’s alleged “marine layer”, along with the confidence and swagger that accompanies having recently shut a lineup down puts the Chicago lefty in a good position to continue his streak of effectiveness.

Without that distraction of his Chicago-based Mazda dealership to sap any of his attention, C.J. Wilson will be fully focused on trying to bring the Sox offense back down to previous production levels. Wilson is without a terrible start this season, he’s also without a dominating one. He’s allowed between five and seven hits in all 8 of his starts, typically goes 6 innings, and typically gives up 3 runs. He’s been consistent.

Today’s Lineup:

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

Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim Lineup:

1. Erick Aybar – SS
2. Mike Trout – CF
3. Albert Pujols 1B
4. Mark Trumbo – LF
5. Josh Hamilton – RF
6. Howie Kendrick – 2B
7. Alberto Callaspo – 3B
8. Hank Conger – C
9. Luis Jimenez – DH

Where to Watch
Today’s White Sox game can be seen on CSN for the Chicago area and Fox Sports West in Orange County people. 9:05 Central start time.