The Chicago White Sox are the only team in the majors yet to sweep a series this season.
They’ll try to change that on Sunday afternoon when they take on the host Pittsburgh Pirates in the finale of a three-game series.
In an otherwise difficult season in terms of wins and losses, the White Sox have opened the second half strong, scoring 10 runs in each of their first two victories over Pittsburgh.
But Chicago was hit with a setback on the injury front this week as All-Star right-handed rookie starting pitcher Shane Smith landed on the 15-day injured list with a left ankle sprain retroactive to Wednesday.
“Rolled his ankle running. It’s his lead leg, his plant leg, which for him is his left leg,” White Sox manager Will Venable said on Saturday. “It puts him in a tough spot to be able to make his start. But, hopefully, it’s the short version here.”
This development puts the onus on recently acquired starters such as right-hander Aaron Civale (1-6, 5.30 ERA) to keep Chicago’s rotation strong as the team strives positive results amid an ongoing rebuild.
Civale, who was traded from Milwaukee on June 13, will attempt to pick up his first victory in a White Sox uniform when he opposes Pirates lefty Andrew Heaney (4-8, 4.59) on Sunday.
Civale is 0-4 with a 5.58 ERA in six starts since joining Chicago. He gave up four runs on three hits and two walks while striking out three over 5 2/3 innings in his most recent outing at home against Cleveland on July 13. Civale is 2-2 with a 3.40 ERA in 39 2/3 innings over seven career starts against the Pirates.
The White Sox recalled reliever Wikelman Gonzalez from Triple-A Charlotte on Saturday. They also activated infielder/outfielder Brooks Baldwin, who appeared in Saturday’s game, from the IL and optioned Will Robertson to Charlotte.
Heaney will try to reverse his and his team’s recent results when he takes the mound for the first time since July 12 at Minnesota, when he appeared out of the bullpen in what turned out to be a 12-4 loss. Heaney gave up three runs — all on home runs — over two innings and finished with one walk and no strikeouts.
Heaney’s most recent start was his shortest of the season as he lasted only three innings and gave up four runs on six hits and a walk while striking out two in taking a 9-3 loss at Kansas City on July 7.
Heaney is 5-1 with a 4.31 ERA in 56 1/3 innings over 10 career starts against the White Sox, however, and will try to snap a two-game skid for the Pirates, who are in the midst of one of their worst stretches of the season with 10 losses in their past 11 games.
The first two losses against Chicago marked the first time this season that Pittsburgh lost back-to-back games while allowing 10 runs.
“It’s hard, and it’s something we haven’t dealt with. The pitching has been so good,” Pirates manager Don Kelly said. “It’s tough whenever you lose a game that you’re ahead and you have to turn it over to the bullpen who has been so reliable all year. They’re going to continue to be reliable. Those guys in the back end have done a great job, and I have full confidence in them to do that.”
–Field Level Media
