Gamethread: White Sox vs. Athletics

The Sacramento (?) team has arrived

Sean Burke’s Opening Day debut with the Chicago White Sox was less than a month ago, and fans were quite impressed with what they saw. A no-walk, no-runs-allowed six-inning outing seems like the perfect way to start the season. That is, until you remember you have to start again and hope to produce similar outcomes. Which is something Burke has struggled to do.

His last outing against Cleveland only lasted three innings, where he gave up three earned runs, walked three, and struck out four. Tonight, he is back in Chicago on a crisp, cool evening to take on an Athletics team that is dealing with not only a move in location but also a slow start to the year. They will try to take advantage of the righthander, who has primarily been throwing his 94 mph four-seamer, 85 mph slider, and 78 mph curve.

Facing off against Burke and trying to get his team to 7-10 is southpaw Jeffrey Springs. The lefty came over to the Athletics in December when he was traded from the Tampa Bay Rays along with LHP Jacob Lopez. Springs had Tommy John surgery in April 2023, which sidelined him for all of 2023 and half of 2024.

He pitched in just seven games last season in which he went 2-2 with a 3.27 ERA, striking out 37 over 33 innings of work. So far this season, he is 2-1 with a 4.20 ERA. He has struck out 16 batters in his 15 frames. His four-seam fastball, which he throws about 42% of the time, sits at about 90 mph. Springs also features a change and slider in the low 80s.

The star hitter for the A’s lineup tonight is rookie Jacob Wilson. He is batting .344 in his first 61 at-bats. Wilson has accrued 21 hits, which include four doubles and two home runs. The Athletics are surely impressed with the start their shortstop and No. 1 prospect is having.

Speaking of hot starts, Chase Meidroth, who was called up to the big league club on April 11, is off to a hot start. The White Sox’s No. 8 prospect has drawn three walks and three hits in his first 10 plate appearances. A small sample size, but if he can keep it up, fans won’t expect him back in Charlotte any time soon.

First pitch this evening is at 6:40 p.m. CDT. You can watch the broadcast on CHSN+ or listen on ESPN 1000.