Squint hard enough and you might see reasons for optimism for the Chicago White Sox.
For instance, Chicago (51-88) already has won 10 more games than last season, when it staggered to a 41-121 season and set a record for most losses during the modern era.
The White Sox also have shown glimpses of hope as of late. The team has won three games in a row and is searching for its first four-game winning streak since July 18-21.
Chicago will have a chance to do just that when it takes on the Minnesota Twins (62-76) on Wednesday night in Minneapolis. The White Sox have won the first two contests of the four-game series and can clinch a series victory Wednesday.
Andrew Benintendi will try to stay hot after clubbing two homers in Tuesday’s 12-3 win. Lenyn Sosa and Kyle Teel also went deep for the White Sox.
Chicago manager Will Venable highlighted another player who proved to be valuable in the blowout win. Bryan Ramos notched his first hit of the season after being promoted from the minor leagues, and he drove in a pair of runs.
“(We’re) really excited about having him here,” Venable said. “The journey he’s been on with the (elbow) injury, to be able to be here now and contributing at the big-league level is great for him, great for us.”
Meanwhile, Wednesday’s game represents a fresh start for the Twins after a brutal loss in front of a sparse crowd (11,721). Minnesota led 3-1 after four innings but surrendered the final 11 runs of the game to Chicago.
“I’m going to stay optimistic most of the time, but that wasn’t good, that wasn’t real good,” Twins manager Rocco Baldelli said. “I don’t think anyone felt good leaving the field (Tuesday), walking off the field. Definitely frustrating, but we have to get over it.”
Twins right-hander Zebby Matthews (4-4, 5.06 ERA) is set to make his 13th start of the season and the 22nd of his career. The 25-year-old has 70 strikeouts in 58 2/3 innings this season.
Matthews will go for back-to-back victories after earning the win against the San Diego Padres in his last outing. He limited the Padres to three runs (two earned) on seven hits in six innings, and he walked none and struck out three in an eventual 7-4 Twins victory.
This will be Matthews’ second career start against Chicago. In his first start, he drew a no-decision despite allowing four runs on eight hits in 4 2/3 innings for a 7.71 ERA.
White Sox right-hander Yoendrys Gomez (3-2, 5.20) will oppose Matthews and the Twins. This will be the fifth start for Gomez, who also has made 12 relief appearances.
Gomez started against the Twins on Aug. 24 and tossed 4 2/3 scoreless innings. He allowed two hits, walked three and struck out six.
The move to the starting rotation has proved to be fruitful for Gomez. He is 2-1 with a 3.86 ERA in four starts this season, and he is 1-1 with a 6.62 ERA as a reliever.
–Field Level Media
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