Trying to get back on track
The White Sox will be trying to break a three-game losing streak — or, compared to last year’s long periods of travail, mini-streak — at Comerica Park this afternoon, with Davis Martin having the job of lion tamer. After the starting rotation had outstanding first turns out this season, round two hasn’t come close to matching up — so Davis will be trying to get that back on track as well.
The Tigers counter with Reese Olson, who had a very weak first start, giving up four earned runs in 4 2⁄3 innings. But that was against the mighty Dodgers, who may be a trifle better at hitting than the Sox. The righty has been difficult for the Sox in his young career, just 2-2 but with a 2.16 ERA and a measly .143 batting average against.
Olson will face a Sox lineup that includes Andrew Benintendi in left field, one game after the Tigers showed Benintendi should only DH because they’ll take an extra base on his exceedingly weak arm every time. Benintendi can’t be out of the lineup because he has been by far the best Sox hitter so far, followed by Brooks Baldwin, who moves to right field today.
Martin, who went six strong innings against the Angels, giving up just two hits and two unearned runs, faces a Tigers lineup that has a few changes from yesterday toward the bottom but is mostly the same.
J. Malloy DH
K. Carpenter RF
R. Greene LF
S. Torkelson 1B
C. Keith 2B
A. Ibanez 3B
J. Rogers C
T. Sweeney SS
R. Kreidler CF
First pitch is scheduled for 12:10 p.m. Central, at a chilly 45° with light winds under cloudy skies. Usual broadcast suspects.