Stupid, slow-arriving thunderstorms – Lineups & Preview 7/8

May 29, 2013; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Cubs second baseman Darwin Barney (15) forces out Chicago White Sox shortstop Alexei Ramirez (10) during the fifth inning at Wrigley Field. Mandatory Credit: David Banks-USA TODAY Sports

Not to belabor the point, but the Cubs–completely engrossed in an unabashed rebuild–have a better major league product at the moment. They have a better record, better run differential and they just came off a far more impressive weekend. There is likely a long line of indignities awaiting the White Sox over the rest of this disastrous season and it momentarily seemed like rain would delay this one for a bit longer. Now, that no longer seems the case. This is how this year has gone.

White Sox lineup

1. Alejandro De Aza – LF
2. Gordon Beckham – 2B
3. Alex Rios – RF
4. Adam Dunn – 1B
5. Jeff Keppinger – DH
6. Conor Gillaspie – 3B
7. Alexei Ramirez – SS
8. Josh Phegley – C
9. Blake Tekotte – CF

Hector Santiago, SP

Jordan Danks has to be a little curious after he was sent down to get more at-bats, only to see Blake Tekotte handed three starts in four games in center field. Perhaps Tekotte is just the beneficiary of the coaching staff reaching the tipping point of intolerable frustration with Dayan Viciedo, who has seen Starlin Castro‘s miserable step back of a season and raised him a couple of leaps. 

Chicago Cubs lineup

1. Starlin Castro – SS
2. Cody Ransom – 3B
3. Anthony Rizzo – 1B
4. Alfonso Soriano – LF
5. Dioner Navarro – C
6. Welington Castillo – DH
7. Darwin Barney – 2B
8. Dave Sappelt – RF
9. Julio Borbon – CF

Matt Garza, SP

Speaking of Starlin Castro, the Cubs are doubling down and putting him at leadoff for the day, because why the hell not–they’re rebuilding after all. Everyone should do what they want!

Where to Watch: Sox feed is CSN, Cubs feed is WCIU

Follow James Fegan on Twitter @JRFegan