Alvarez has made a start against the Pale Hose this season. He went 7 innings and gave up 3 runs en route to a no-decision that the Sox ultimately won back in June. More recently he’s struggled a bit; In his past two starts he’s got 7 earned runs and 8 walks to accompany just 3 strikeouts in less than 10 innings. Do I dare say that we don’t see 16 White Sox dragging their bats back to the dugout following strikeouts tonight? I do.

Jose Quintana further built his reputation as an enemy of run support against Kansas City his last time out, pitching 7 innings and giving up 2 runs in a loss. Guys who continuously get no run support, eventually get run support. The hope is that they continue to pitch well enough that those run happy days turn into wins. Tonight Jose will attempt to improve upon his hard earned 4-2 record during his first appearance north of the border.

Tonight’s Lineup:

1. De Aza – CF
2. Wise – LF
3. Rios – RF
4. Big Donkey – 1B
5. Youk – 3B
6. AJ – C
7. Alexei – SS
8. DHayan
9. Gordo – 2B

Dewayne Wise made was signed, and was called up to the big club causing the demotion of Jordan Danks. It makes sense that if he’s going to be there, he’s going to play. While Paul Konerko has been cleared to start workouts, his return date is unclear, so until then, we may be seeing plenty of DHayan action.

Those of you that have been screaming for a 3-hole Rios: congrats.

Tonight’s Lineup:

1. De Aza – CF
2. Gordo – 2B
3. Big Donkey – 1B
4. Paul Konerko – DH
5. Rios – RF
6. AJ – C
7. Dayan – LF
8. Alexei – SS
9. Hudson – 3B

I don’t hate Orlando Hudson, he’s making enough plays so that I don’t have to worry about balls hit to the left side of the field. However he’s hitting with roughly the same level of effectiveness as Brent Morel, and all things equal, I go with the younger guy who has a chance to break out. Hudson might surprise at some point but I’m back to just not understanding the acquisition.

Jake Peavy will put his 6-1 record up against Henderson Alvarez. Alvarez is coming off of a string of less than stellar starts having given up 14 runs in his last 18 innings. At 22 years old he’s only a kid, and a pitcher that age always runs the risk of figuring it out on any given night. He’s not out there for nothing.