Series preview: Chicago White Sox at Cleveland Guardians

The White Sox and Guardians meet in Cleveland for a three-game series starting tonight. We’ll see if Cleveland can avenge the Pale Hosers for losing three of four games in Chicago in May.

The White Sox are 24-62 with a run differential of -162, they are last in the MLB as a team with a 77 wRC+, 23rd in baserunning runs above average at -3.2, last in defensive WAR at -42.3, 24th in starting pitcher FIP at 4.49, and 25th in bullpen FIP at 4.34. No matter how you look at the numbers, this is a bad baseball team… they are somehow 4-3 against the Guardians so far this season.

The Guardians are 52-30 with a run differential of 98, are 10th in MLB with a 108 wRC+, 25th in baserunning runs above average at -4.5, 6th in defensive WAR at 4.8, 29th in starting pitcher FIP at 4.71, and 2nd in bullpen FIP at 3.19.

Pairings:

Game 1: Chris Flexen, RHP (5.03 FIP) vs. Carlos Carrasco, RHP (4.86 FIP) Tuesday, 6:40 p.m. EST

analysis: Carrasco will look to give the Guardians another solid start and a chance to win by holding White Sox sluggers Yoan Moncada 121 wRC+, Gavin Sheets 110 wRC+, Luis Robert Jr. 109 wRC+, Tommy Pham 108 wRC+, Paul DeJong 103 wRC+ and Corey Julks 101 wRC+ in check.

Game Two: Eric Fedde, RHP (3.58 FIP) vs. Gavin Williams, RHP (first start of season), Wednesday, 6:40 p.m. EST

analysis: Could the Guardians sign Eric Fedde at the trade deadline? This is their chance to see him up close and personal, while also seeing Gavin Williams take the field for the first time this season. Let’s hope he comes out healthy and lasts five innings for the good guys.

Game Three: Drew Thorpe, RHP (4.93 FIP) vs. Ben Lively, RHP (4.24 FIP) Thursday, 1:10 p.m. EST

analysis: Lively continues to find a way to give the Guardians what they need to compete for the win in every game he throws. Guardians hitters like Jhokensy Noel 188 wRC+, Steven Kwan 177 wRC+, David Fry 168 wRC+, Jose Ramirez 147 wRC+, Daniel Schneemann 136 wRC+ and Josh Naylor 127 wRC+ will look to lead the way. It sounds like Will Brennan could potentially return at the end of this series or the next, and he currently has a wRC+ of 107.