Rangers at White Sox
The Chicago White Sox have won exactly one game on each of their first three homestands of the season, which helps to explain why they own the worst home mark in baseball as well as the worst record in the majors. In the midst of their fourth extended stay in Chicago, the White Sox hope a late comeback in their series-opening victory over the Texas Rangers can spark more success when the two teams meet for the second of four games Friday.
The White Sox (11- 29) lost five of six in each of their first three homestands, but the American League Central cellar-dwellers scored all of their runs courtesy of the mistake-prone Rangers in the eighth inning in Thursday's 4-2 comeback victory after getting shut down by Doug Fister over the first seven frames. The final one of Yoan Moncada's three hits - a ground-rule double - sparked the rally, while Welington Castillo capped the outburst with a two-out, two-run single to break the tie. Texas contributed to its demise with a passed ball, a throwing error and a bases-loaded walk, setting the stage for Castillo's big hit. The AL West-worst Rangers have struggled for offense while going 2-4 two-thirds of the way into their nine-game road trip, scoring two runs or fewer four times.
TV: 8:10 p.m. ET, FS Southwest (Texas), NBCS Chicago Plus
PITCHING MATCHUP: Rangers LH Matt Moore (1-5, 7.82 ERA) vs. White Sox RH Carson Fulmer (2-3, 6.23)
Moore has struggled as much as any pitcher in the majors this month, going 0-2 with a 12.79 ERA, 2.61 WHIP and .413 batting average against in three trips to the mound. The 28-year-old Floridian was removed after three innings and 72 pitches in Sunday's loss at Houston, surrendering three runs on six hits and three walks. Moore has been borderline dominant when facing the White Sox, however, winning each of his last five outings against them while going 5-1 with a 1.67 ERA overall in six career starts.
Fulmer has been roughed up in consecutive turns after earning his first two victories of the season, including a loss to the Chicago Cubs last Friday, when he was tagged for five runs in only 1 2/3 innings. The 24-year-old wasn't much more effective one week earlier, giving up five runs (four earned) across 3 2/3 frames in another defeat versus Minnesota. Fulmer will try to regain the form he flashed in April (2-1, 4.32 ERA) as he faces Texas for the first time in his career.
WALK-OFFS
1. The Rangers are 7-for-46 with runners in scoring position during their road trip.
2. The White Sox swiped two bags on Thursday to give themselves an AL-best 34 steals for the season.
3. Of Texas' 51 homers this season, a majors-high 40 have been solo shots.