Chicago @ Baltimore preview
Oriole Park at Camden Yards
Last Meeting ( Sep 4, 2024 ) Chi. White Sox 8, Baltimore 1
The Chicago White Sox and Baltimore Orioles each have witnessed just enough success to grasp their own possibilities in what otherwise has been a challenging opening two months.
The clubs begin a three-game series Friday night in Baltimore.
Chicago is coming off Wednesday's 9-4 victory against the New York Mets that snapped the team's six-game losing streak in road games. The White Sox are 3-3 in their last six games overall for one of their best stretches of the season.
"Regardless of the result the day before, these guys turn the page, come to the field excited to play," White Sox manager Will Venable said.
The reality is that the 18-38 White Sox have the worst record in the American League as they look to gain on the 19-36 Orioles, who already fired manager Brandon Hyde this month.
The Orioles lost the final two games of a three-game series at home against the St. Louis Cardinals prior to Thursday's day off.
Baltimore has lacked clutch hitting in recent games, going 4-for-31 with runners in scoring position over the past two defeats.
"It's been kind of an issue," Orioles infielder Jackson Holliday said. "Obviously, scoring runs is very important. So yeah, we'll keep working on it."
Baltimore had catcher Adley Rutschman back in the lineup Wednesday night for the first time since Sunday when he took a foul ball off the mask at Boston. He was used as the designated hitter in the series finale against the Cardinals, going 0-for-5 with three strikeouts.
The Orioles continue to await the return of outfielder Colton Cowser and infielder Jordan Westburg, who are on rehab assignments with Triple-A Norfolk.
"We have a bunch of really good players in here, but to be able to have those guys back would be pretty awesome," Holliday said. "I think it will be great to have Cowser back ... Only had him for a few games at the beginning of the year and he's a big impact on this team for sure."
Baltimore added an extra catcher this week because of Rutschman's status, with Maverick Handley and Chadwick Tromp still on the roster as of Thursday.
The White Sox have struggled on offense, with their 196 runs making them one of five MLB clubs below 200 for the season. Miguel Vargas is trying to do his part with a double in each of his past five games, while batting .333 (17-for-51) over his past 13 games.
Baltimore will send right-hander Zach Eflin (3-2, 5.40 ERA) to the mound Friday. Over his past two outings, he has allowed 13 runs (12 earned) covering 10 1/3 innings.
Eflin is 2-1 with a 2.88 ERA in five appearances (four starts) against the White Sox.
Chicago will send right-hander Sean Burke (3-5, 4.33 ERA) to the mound. He has allowed one run or fewer in four of five starts this month, including last Friday, when he held the Texas Rangers to one run and three hits in six innings to pick up the win.
Command still has been an issue for Burke, who has issued 19 walks with 19 strikeouts over 27 innings in May. He has never faced the Orioles.
Right-handed reliever Miguel Castro departed Wednesday's game for the White Sox with a right knee injury sustained as he was covering first base.
--Field Level Media