You may be on a 5-game win streak, Chicago White Sox, but Josh Phegley is having the worst day ever! Odd instances of dramatics aside, the Sox are on a 5-game win streak and that’s pretty impressive given the team has very recently logged a losing streak that doubles that. I’ve said in the past that though the South Side isn’t fielding a division contending team, the extent of their poor record has plenty to do with luck. Clutching onto solid pitching and changing the outcome of a handful of losses in 1-run games probably doesn’t push the Sox much past Minnesota in the Central ranks, if even, but it’s probably worth a few games of improvement and over the course of the ol’ 162 there is bound to be some sort of evening out. We’re seeing it. Ask anybody who knows, it’s a long season.
Game 126 of 162 will be started by Jose Quintana, his 26th of the year. Quintana leads the Sox in starts, but little else. He is the poster boy for go out and give the team a chance. Rarely in 2013 has he been exceptional, but rarely has he trotted out and been terrible. If you’re a believer in momentum, giving the team a chance is likely all that will be needed to push the team’s streak to 6. It’s been one year since their last 6-game win streak, nearly to the day. A nice little throwback Thursday.
What is a big game? Big Game James probably has a broad idea of what constitutes a big game. Have to expand the opportunities to defend the nickname you earned with a couple of timely performances! Is it a big game when trying to keep the Royals skid from reaching 5 games, putting the team even further out of reach of the playoff spot that was being eyed as an excuse to acquire you before the season began? Though that ship has probably sailed already, I’m betting Dayton Moore would be willing to call this a big one.
Today’s Lineup:
1.De Aza – LF
2.Beckham – 2B
3.Ramirez – SS
4.Dunn – DH 1B
5.Konerko – 1B DHayan
6.Garcia – RF
7.Gillaspie – 3B
8.Viciedo – LF Phegley – C
9.Phegley – C Danks – CF
The above mess courtesy of Paul Konerko as a late scratch.
Leury Garcia, called up today as Blake Tekotte was sent away might be the utility man of the future. The neo-Craig Grebeck is fittingly not in the starting lineup just yet. But he’s on the roster!
Kansas City Royals Lineup:
1.Alex Gordon – LF
2.Eric Hosmer – 1B
3.Salvador Perez – C
4.Billy Butler – DH
5.Justin Maxwell – RF
6.Mike Moustakas – 3B
7.Emilio Bonifacio – CF
8.Alcides Escobar – SS
9.Jamey Carroll – 2B
Where to Watch
Today’s game will be broadcast on Comcast Sports Net, Fox Sports KC and MLB Network for those lucky enough to be in the proper markets. 7:10 Central start time.