With 12 losses in their first 18 games, including three by shutout, the Chicago White Sox’s season prospects could be starting to flutter.
Chicago still maintains high hopes, though, for the fruits of its farm system. Attempting to avoid a three-game sweep by the visiting Tampa Bay Rays on Thursday, the White Sox are channeling the energy from promoting a pair of prospects at the start of an abbreviated homestand.
After left-hander Noah Schultz got the start in the series opener on Tuesday, infielder/outfielder Sam Antonacci made his major league debut Wednesday.
Antonacci went 1-for-3 with a walk in an 8-3 loss. He played second base as starter Chase Meidroth enjoyed a planned day off, but he made it clear that he’s ready to contribute — and make an all-out effort — at any position.
“Just not taking a play off on everything no matter what the score dictates,” Antonacci said. “If I’m ever seen as taking a play off, I would like the fans to let me know or have someone else let me know.
“I’ll get that fixed, but I don’t see that happening. I might not be Shohei Ohtani or a unicorn like that, but I use all the gifts and talents I have and give it all I got.”
Chicago, which averted a shutout with three ninth-inning runs Wednesday, will try to solve Rays left-hander Steven Matz in the series finale.
Matz (3-0, 3.94 ERA) has worked at least five innings in each of his starts and has 15 strikeouts over 11 innings in two April games. In three career appearances against the White Sox, including two starts, Matz has pitched to a 2.13 ERA with 16 strikeouts in 12 2/3 innings.
Often reliant on small ball in the first three weeks of the season, the Rays swatted three home runs to build a big cushion Wednesday.
Junior Caminero and Jake Fraley delivered solo shots before Jonny DeLuca helped put things away with a pinch-hit, three run blast in the seventh inning.
“Obviously, the versatility is unique; it’s special,” DeLuca said. “And that’s what makes an offense really good. I think we can do a little bit of everything.”
American League East-leading Tampa Bay has relied on cohesion and unselfishness to keep that mindset going.
“A lot of guys who just get to the ballpark, do their jobs, have fun with each other and that’s about it,” DeLuca said. “There’s not a lot of egos on this team, so it’s always fun to play with a team like that.”
Right-hander Jordan Leasure (1-0, 4.00) is set to make his first start and ninth appearance for the White Sox. He has not allowed a run in his last four appearances over 4 2/3 innings, yielding one hit and two walks with five strikeouts.
Leasure earned the decision in his most recent game, a 6-5 road win against the Kansas City Royals on Sunday when he was the seventh of nine White Sox pitchers. He allowed just a walk in 1 1/3 innings.
He is 2-0 with one save, a 0.00 ERA, three strikeouts and two walks in five innings over six relief appearances against the Rays.
–Field Level Media
