The American League Central-leading Chicago White Sox figure they can only improve on offense after their Thursday showing.
When the White Sox host the New York Mets on Friday night to begin a three-game series, they are determined to move past a 2-0 loss to the Atlanta Braves. Chicago managed just one hit in an unconventional homestand opener.
The makeup of a June 11 rainout continued a busy run for the White Sox, who are amid a stretch of 16 games without a day off.
“We all talked about it. We were all prepared and ready to go,” Chicago catcher Drew Romo said. “So, it just happens. Just part of it.”
Andrew Benintendi’s seventh-inning single was the lone White Sox hit as Grant Holmes and three Braves relievers racked up 10 strikeouts.
New York enters the weekend with the third-worst record in the 15-team National League but has won 11 of its past 15 games. The Mets are coming off a 5-1 homestand that comprised a sweep of the Washington Nationals and a series victory against the San Diego Padres, a National League wild-card contender.
“It feels gritty to me,” Mets interim manager Andy Green said. “It feels like the kind of club that is trying to scratch and claw and figure out a way to win a baseball game.”
Rookie right fielder Carson Benge propelled New York past San Diego. He threw out two runners at home to help preserve the Mets’ 2-1 victory on Monday, and he delivered two hits, including a two-run homer, on Wednesday during New York’s 4-2 victory in the series finale.
Benge became the first New York rookie to collect at least 15 home runs and 15 stolen bases since Darryl Strawberry in 1983.
“I feel like I’m in a good spot,” Benge said. “I feel like I am on time with just about every pitch, seeing the ball well. It’s a good place to be.”
Friday will mark a return to Chicago for Mets outfielder Luis Robert Jr. He spent the first six seasons of his career with the White Sox before New York acquired him in a Jan. 20 trade for infielder Luisangel Acuna and minor league right-hander Truman Pauley.
Left-hander Sean Manaea, meanwhile, will aim to pitch the Mets to an eighth straight series-opening victory.
Manaea (4-5, 4.22 ERA) has worked at least six innings in each of his past five starts. He took a no-decision against Washington on Saturday, scattering four runs and six hits in 6 1/3 innings with two walks and seven strikeouts in New York’s 5-4 victory.
Manaea has been dominant against the White Sox in his career, going 3-0 with a 1.96 ERA in four appearances, including three starts.
White Sox right-hander Sean Burke (7-6, 3.15 ERA) will face the Mets for the first time. After pitching to a 1.14 ERA in five July starts covering 31 2/3 innings, Burke has been less effective to begin August, failing to complete five innings in two of three starts.
He took a no-decision at Detroit on Sunday, spacing four runs and five hits in 4 1/3 innings with three walks and two strikeouts.
–Field Level Media
