Scouting report

Posted July 06, 2019 1:00 am

Scouting report

White Sox vs. Cubs at Guaranteed Rate Field

TV: FOX Saturday; NBC Sports Chicago (Cubs), WGN (White Sox) Sunday

Radio: WGN 720-AM; WSCR 670-AM

Pitching matchups: The White Sox's Lucas Giolito (11-2) vs. the Cubs' Jon Lester (7-6) at 6:15 p.m. Saturday; Ivan Nova (2-7) vs. Kyle Hendricks (7-6) at 1:10 p.m. Sunday.

About the White Sox: In a two-game interleague series against the Cubs at Wrigley Field last month, the Sox settled for a split after Eloy Jimenez's 2-run homer in the ninth inning lifted them to a 3-1 win in the opener. Giolito took the loss in the second game after giving up 6 runs in 4⅓ innings. Along with Jose Abreu and James McCann, Giolito is heading to Tuesday's All-Star Game at Cleveland. The right-hander is tied for the American League lead with 11 wins and he's fourth with a 2.72 ERA. Nova has the second-highest ERA (5.92) in the majors; rotation mate Reynaldo Lopez is first at 6.34. Nova is 0-4 with an 8.31 ERA in 7 home starts. Through Thursday's play, Abreu was tied for the AL lead with 63 RBI. Yolmer Sanchez should be available after exiting Thursday's game vs. the Tigers with a lacerated right hand. Sanchez suffered the injury diving back into first base and has three stitches in the hand. The White Sox are 13-6 at home since May 27.

About the Cubs: The Cubs (46-42) huffed and puffed their way home to a welcome and rare off-day Friday after dropping three of four at Pittsburgh. That concluded a stretch of 50 games in 52 days dating to May 14 and 34 games in 35 days dating to May 31. The Cubs are 22-28 over their last 50 games. The good news for this weary bunch is that it has eight off-days in July, including Friday and next week's four-day all-star break. First baseman Anthony Rizzo and catcher Willson Contreras struggled on the road trip until both had good games in Thursday's series-salvaging victory. All-star Kris Bryant had 4 hits Thursday, including a home run, and now has a line of .294/.399/.548 with 17 homers and 43 RBI. Lester is 10-6 with a 4.16 ERA in 18 career starts against the White Sox. The Cubs are 17-26 away from Wrigley Field.

Next: All-star break

- Scot Gregor, Bruce Miles

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