Gamethread: Angels at White Sox

After an exciting series win against the Red Sox (81-65), the White Sox (82-61) will host the Angels (70-73) for three games.

Packy Naughton will start on the mound for the Angels. Naughton, a 25-year-old rookie, has a 2.57 ERA, 3.02 xERA, 3.38 FIP, and 0.3 fWAR in 14 MLB innings. He will take on Lucas Giolito, who we have not seen in a bit. Giolito enters with a 3.69 ERA, 3.36 xERA, 3.87 FIP, and 3.3 fWAR in 158 ¹⁄₃ innings this season. The tall righty continues to be a strong presence in the South Siders’ rotation, and the White Sox hope for a good return from him tonight.

Here are tonight’s starting lineups:

This morning, the White Sox announced the following roster changes:

It is a pleasure to see that Tim Anderson and Lucas Giolito are ready to return from their hamstring injuries. Their health will be crucial for the team in the postseason.

Zack Collins will also be returning to the major league roster, though his return is not due to a recovery from injury. Instead, the White Sox are preserving his last option by recalling him from Triple-A Charlotte. Collins is slashing .202/.324/.331 (87 wRC+) with -0.8 fWAR with the White Sox this season.

Collins will be replacing Seby Zavala in the role of backup catcher. Zavala has been a worse hitter but a better defender than Collins, though that is a low bar to clear. Zavala’s stats in the majors this season: .180/.240/.376 (67 wRC+), 0.1 fWAR.

Meanwhile, rookie Andrew Vaughn heads to the 10-day injured list with a back injury. Hopefully, he will be able to make a quick recovery before the postseason comes around.

Infielder Danny Mendick is a fundamentally sound player who can play multiple positions. But, he has struggled with the bat (.220/.303/.287, 69 wRC+, 0.2 fWAR), and as a result, he will head back down to Triple-A Charlotte.

The White Sox also made the following announcement this afternoon:

Best wishes to reliever Ryan Tepera, who has been a solid addition to the bullpen (2.81 ERA, 2.35 FIP since being traded over from the Cubs). For now, Tepera will be replaced by lefty Jace Fry, who has only pitched two innings in the majors this year. However, Fry has good numbers in the minors (2.39 ERA, 3.01 FIP in 37 ²⁄₃ innings with Triple-A Charlotte).

Tonight’s game is scheduled to start at 7:10 p.m. Central. As usual, NBC Sports Chicago will televise it, and WMVP 1000 AM will have the radio coverage. Time for win No. 83.