Orioles at White Sox
If nothing else, the Chicago White Sox have proven they have the ability to beat up on last-place teams in the American League in what has been an otherwise forgettable season. The White Sox take on the one AL cellar-dweller they have yet to face Monday, when they host the opener of a four-game series against the Baltimore Orioles.
Chicago (13-30) doubled its home win total for the season over the weekend by taking three of four from AL West-worst Texas after entering the set with a 3-15 record at Guaranteed Rate Field. The Rangers joined AL Central-worst Kansas City (5-2) as the only teams the White Sox have defeated in a series or recorded multiple victories against in 2018. The Orioles (14-32) could be ripe for the picking to join the dubious group given they own major league-worst 4-19 road mark, although they have stabilized a bit by going 6-5 over their last 11 overall games following an 8-27 start. Baltimore stopped its 13-game losing streak away from home Friday in Boston but fell to 1-15 in its last 16 such contests despite recording 13 hits in Sunday's 5-0 setback against the Red Sox.
TV: 8:10 p.m. ET, MASN 2 (Baltimore), NBCS Chicago
PITCHING MATCHUP: Orioles RH Andrew Cashner (1-5, 4.83 ERA) vs. White Sox LH Hector Santiago (0-1, 5.29)
Cashner held Philadelphia scoreless until the sixth inning but still dropped his fourth straight decision Wednesday, permitting three runs on five hits and three walks while fanning six in 5 2/3 frames. One of the sorest spots for the 31-year-old has been the long ball, as he has given up at least one blast in six straight turns and 11 overall. Welington Castillo is 5-for-12 and Jose Abreu 4-for-6 versus Cashner, who is 0-2 with a 4.61 ERA in four career appearances (two starts) against Chicago.
Santiago did not factor in the decision Wednesday at Pittsburgh despite allowing only two runs on two hits and three walks over five innings. The 30-year-old native of New Jersey has dropped eight consecutive decisions (seven of which came in starts) and failed to earn a victory since defeating the White Sox on May 9, 2017 while with Minnesota. Santiago is 1-0 with a 3.80 ERA in seven career appearances (four starts) against Baltimore.
WALK-OFFS
1. The Orioles failed to homer Sunday for the first time in 13 games.
2. Chicago rookie LHP Jace Fry has yet to allow a hit while striking out 12 over the first 8 1/3 innings of his major-league career.
3. Baltimore OF Adam Jones went 3-for-4 on Sunday but left with an illness in the seventh inning, leaving his status for the series opener unknown.