Sep 12, 2013; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago White Sox right fielder Avisail Garcia is unable to catch a ball hit for a triple by Cleveland Indians center fielder Michael Bourn (not pictured) during the fourth inning at U.S Cellular Field. Mandatory Credit: Jerry Lai-USA TODAY Sports
After taking their 12th defeat in 14 games against the Indians this season in a particularly brutal, lifeless fashion, after which a morose and curt Robin Ventura stormed from the post-game press conference into the clubhouse to do whatever, the White Sox have the quick turnaround of facing the Indians yet again at 1 pm in the afternoon on a Friday for no damn reason at all.
Should be a crisply-played and well-attended game.
The “crisp” expectation is only partly a joke, since Alejandro De Aza‘s gaffe-happy center field defense is taking a break for the day. Dayan Viciedo is still ready to party after overrunning an easy fly ball to the warning track, Marcus Semien has been forgiven for his rookie mistake and them some and Conor Gillaspie is finally getting back on that horse after his nightmare Tuesday. Forget the “crisp” part. There should be no promises of crispness. Also the attendance part is a joke. This is a joke.
White Sox Lineup:
1. Jordan Danks – RF
2. Marcus Semien – 2B
3. Alexei Ramirez – SS
4. Adam Dunn – DH
5. Paul Konerko – 1B
6. Avisail Garcia – CF
7. Conor Gillaspie – 3B
8. Dayan Viciedo – LF
9. Bryan Anderson – C
Hector Santiago, SP
A week of rest didn’t return Hector Santiago’s efficiency or best bat-missing fastball command, but he got through five innings in his last start without walking the park around, which was enough to keep in the late-season rotation jumble for the time being. Naturally, the last time Santiago started against the Indians was the 19-10 game.
Cleveland Indians Lineup:
1. Michael Bourn – CF
2. Nick Swisher – 1B
3. Jason Kipnis – 2B
4. Carlos Santana – C
5. Ryan Raburn – DH
6. Asdrubal Cabrera – SS
7. Michael Brantley – LF
8. Mike Aviles – 3B
9. Drew Stubbs – RF
Danny Salazar, SP
Danny Salazar is quite the hot little prospect. The 23 year-old Dominican struck out 129 batters across 93 innings in Double-A and Triple-A competition, and has struck out 45 batters in 37 innings in the big leagues. It’s looking like a repeatable skill. Be on the look out for a nasty split-change that burns the skin off human flesh.
Salazar has a 2.92 ERA so far that’s only bothered by a troubling home run rate, but that requires someone capable of hitting home runs to take advantage of. That last sentence is directed toward the White Sox lineup. Look alive out there, guys. Head on a swivel…except not at the plate.
This game is not a good matchup for the White Sox. I expect bad things.
Where to Watch: 1:10 pm CT on WGN and Sports Time Ohio
Follow James Fegan on Twitter @JRFegan