The Chicago White Sox are slowly turning their season around. After starting out in disappointing fashion with one of the worst records in the American League, Chicago is finding ways to win as they continue to play for last place in their division. After getting the 1-0 win over the Cubs on Friday, the White Sox look to keep momentum going as their best pitcher, Chris Sale takes the mound.
Sale's win total might not be that impressive, but he is one of the better pitchers in the league with 147 strikeouts while leading the league in opponents batting average at .205. Sale is currently 7-4 on the season with a 2.80 ERA. He fell just short of the strikeout record for the White Sox as he looked to become the first pitcher with 10-plus strikeouts in nine straight games. He still remains one of the most dominant players in the league especially against the National League where he is 4-0 with a 1.97 ERA.
"Right now, we've put ourselves in a spot where we have to play this way," manager Robin Ventura said, via MLB's official website. "I don't know if it could be desperate, but you realize the position you put yourself in. ... Every out counts. All that stuff you hear, that might be clichés, it's the truth of where we put ourselves."
The White Sox are trying to keep momentum high as they have won for the eighth time in 10 games while their starting pitching is averaging a 1.91 ERA. They are struggling to get the bats moving, averaging just 2.9 runs per game in a 10-game stretch. Jose Abreau is the lone star, responsible for all five hits Friday.They will face a Cubs team struggling to get anything moving on offense. They hit into five double-plays on Friday.
Jon Lester will take the mound hoping to pull something today for the team. The pitcher is 4-7 with a 3.48 ERA on the season. He has put up nine starts since getting his last win while having a 1.72 ERA in his past five starts. He has received just two runs of support during that time. In his last start he took a no-hitter into the seventh, giving up just two runs.
