The Chicago White Sox haven’t had much to celebrate since their 93-win season in 2021.
The past week for the club has been one of the best stretches since that season. Ahead of their series finale on Thursday afternoon against the Cincinnati Reds, the White Sox have won four of their last five games and will have an opportunity to post a rare series sweep away from home.
The American League-worst White Sox have held the Reds to just three runs through the first two games of the mid-week set, including Chicago’s 4-2 victory on Wednesday.
Following a series win against the Miami Marlins over the weekend, the White Sox are aiming to take another step forward on Thursday, while keeping things in perspective.
“This whole season, we have taken this thing day by day, and so certainly, back-to-back series and a road series win is huge at the same time,” White Sox manager Will Venable said. “These guys are going to show up Thursday not thinking about that. We’re going to go out and do our best to win a game. But it’s nice for these guys, as hard as they’ve been working, to get positive results.”
Bryse Wilson (0-1, 4.88 ERA) gets the start for Chicago on Thursday, searching for his first victory since June 25 of last season. Wilson is coming off a no-decision against the Marlins on Friday in which he allowed just one earned run across five innings in Chicago’s 6-2 win.
Wilson, 27, is 3-3 with a 2.21 ERA in 14 career appearances (five starts) against the Reds.
Cincinnati is in desperate need of a slump-busting win following nine defeats in 11 tries. The Reds have now dropped five straight series and have totaled three runs across their last three games.
In another lackluster offensive performance, Cincinnati went 1-for-9 with runners in scoring position on Wednesday as the frustration continues to mount for the team.
“I think your approach definitely matters,” Reds manager Terry Francona said. “There are times when you need it to be really good. There are a lot of times where you’re not all that great with runners in scoring position, but if you have a lot of opportunities, it kind of gets glossed over.”
The Reds have been outscored 15-3 over their last three games.
“(Starting pitcher Nick Lodolo) gave up a home run late,” Francona said. “Close to six innings, five and a third. He pitched OK. On a lot of nights, we’re patting him on the back. That’s just not where we’re at right now.”
Looking to pull the club out of the rut, veteran right-hander Nick Martinez (1-4, 4.23) starts for the ninth time on Thursday.
Martinez surrendered three earned runs on 10 hits over six innings in a 3-0 road defeat against the Houston Astros on Friday.
In seven career appearances (four starts), Martinez has struggled against the White Sox, owning a 1-4 record and a 6.43 ERA against them.
–Field Level Media
