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.