Preview: White Sox at Diamondbacks
GAME: Chicago White Sox (20-22) at Arizona Diamondbacks (26-19)
DATE/TIME: Monday, May 22 - 9:40 PM EST
WHERE: Chase Field, Phoenix, Arizona
The Chicago White Sox have turned things around on their 10-game road trip after a disastrous start and look to continue their surge when they visit the Arizona Diamondbacks on Monday for the opener of their three-game interleague series. Chicago lost the first four games on its trek but are coming off three straight wins over Seattle in which it allowed a total of three runs.
Tim Anderson was the offensive star in Sunday's 8-1 triumph, recording a homer and two RBIs while going 3-for-4 for his sixth multi-hit performance in seven games. The White Sox have scored a total of 24 runs in their last two contests while Arizona notched 19 in back-to-back wins at San Diego - 13 in the first inning - before dropping a 5-1 decision in the series finale on Sunday. Chris Iannetta belted a solo homer for the only run for the Diamondbacks, who had produced 36 during their five-game winning streak that was halted. David Peralta enters the series swinging a hot bat, as he went 7-for-10 in the three contests versus the Padres.
TV: 9:40 p.m. ET, CSN Chicago, FSN Arizona
PITCHING MATCHUP: White Sox RH Miguel Gonzalez (3-4, 4.29 ERA) vs. Diamondbacks RH Zack Greinke (5-2, 3.09)
Gonzalez lost his fourth consecutive start - three on the road - when he yielded five runs on six hits and a season-high five walks over 5 2/3 innings against the Angels in Los Angeles on Wednesday. The 32-year-old Mexican has surrendered five or more runs three times during his skid while registering more than two strikeouts just once. Gonzalez settled for a no-decision in his only career outing against Arizona in 2013 while with Baltimore despite allowing only two runs over seven frames.
Greinke was not at the top of his game against the New York Mets on Tuesday but came away with his fourth straight win after giving up four runs and five hits in 6 2/3 innings. It marked only the third time in nine turns this season the 33-year-old Floridian, who is 4-0 at home, yielded more than three runs. Grienke has had his troubles with Chicago during his career, going 7-10 with a 4.14 ERA in 23 starts and three relief appearances.
WALK-OFFS
1. White Sox 1B Jose Abreu has gone 6-for-14 with a homer, two RBIs and four runs scored over his last three contests.
2. Chicago CF Leury Garcia (elbow) returned Sunday and went 0-for-4 after being kept out of the starting lineup for two games.
3. Arizona LHP T.J. McFarland (ankle) allowed two unearned runs in one inning of relief Sunday after being activated from the 10-day disabled list earlier in the day to replace RHP Taijuan Walker, who was placed on the DL with a blister on his right index finger.
PREDICTION: Diamondbacks 6, White Sox 2
GAME: Chicago White Sox (20-22) at Arizona Diamondbacks (26-19)
DATE/TIME: Monday, May 22 - 9:40 PM EST
WHERE: Chase Field, Phoenix, Arizona
The Chicago White Sox have turned things around on their 10-game road trip after a disastrous start and look to continue their surge when they visit the Arizona Diamondbacks on Monday for the opener of their three-game interleague series. Chicago lost the first four games on its trek but are coming off three straight wins over Seattle in which it allowed a total of three runs.
Tim Anderson was the offensive star in Sunday's 8-1 triumph, recording a homer and two RBIs while going 3-for-4 for his sixth multi-hit performance in seven games. The White Sox have scored a total of 24 runs in their last two contests while Arizona notched 19 in back-to-back wins at San Diego - 13 in the first inning - before dropping a 5-1 decision in the series finale on Sunday. Chris Iannetta belted a solo homer for the only run for the Diamondbacks, who had produced 36 during their five-game winning streak that was halted. David Peralta enters the series swinging a hot bat, as he went 7-for-10 in the three contests versus the Padres.
TV: 9:40 p.m. ET, CSN Chicago, FSN Arizona
PITCHING MATCHUP: White Sox RH Miguel Gonzalez (3-4, 4.29 ERA) vs. Diamondbacks RH Zack Greinke (5-2, 3.09)
Gonzalez lost his fourth consecutive start - three on the road - when he yielded five runs on six hits and a season-high five walks over 5 2/3 innings against the Angels in Los Angeles on Wednesday. The 32-year-old Mexican has surrendered five or more runs three times during his skid while registering more than two strikeouts just once. Gonzalez settled for a no-decision in his only career outing against Arizona in 2013 while with Baltimore despite allowing only two runs over seven frames.
Greinke was not at the top of his game against the New York Mets on Tuesday but came away with his fourth straight win after giving up four runs and five hits in 6 2/3 innings. It marked only the third time in nine turns this season the 33-year-old Floridian, who is 4-0 at home, yielded more than three runs. Grienke has had his troubles with Chicago during his career, going 7-10 with a 4.14 ERA in 23 starts and three relief appearances.
WALK-OFFS
1. White Sox 1B Jose Abreu has gone 6-for-14 with a homer, two RBIs and four runs scored over his last three contests.
2. Chicago CF Leury Garcia (elbow) returned Sunday and went 0-for-4 after being kept out of the starting lineup for two games.
3. Arizona LHP T.J. McFarland (ankle) allowed two unearned runs in one inning of relief Sunday after being activated from the 10-day disabled list earlier in the day to replace RHP Taijuan Walker, who was placed on the DL with a blister on his right index finger.
PREDICTION: Diamondbacks 6, White Sox 2