Dodgers, White Sox Set Pitching Matchups for Upcoming Series This Week
The Dodgers and White Sox are set to open up a three-game series on Tuesday, as the Sox will travel west from the south side of Chicago to play the Boys in Blue at Dodger Stadium.
Both teams announced their probable pitchers setting up some intriguing matchups for what should be a crucial series for both clubs, as the Dodgers look to turn their fortunes around while the White Sox will be trying to climb back up the AL Central.
Tony Gonsolin takes the mound
The three game set will start with a matchup between Lance Lynn and Tony Gonsolin on Tuesday.
For Gonsolin, he’s followed up his career best 2022 campaign with a solid 2023 season, pitching his way to a 2.21 ERA over eight starts this year.
He comes into his ninth appearance looking to rebound as his command betrayed him slightly in his last start. He surrendered three walks and four runs — three of them earned — over five innings against the Cincinnati Reds last week. Gonsolin wasn’t the main issue as that was a game that ended with a Dodger bullpen collapse, although the Catman will definitely look to be better.
For Lynn, he comes in with both an electric fastball and consistency issues. He has a 4-6 record and 6.72 ERA this season and got hit hard in his last outing, giving up eight hits and five runs over five innings and was rather lucky to come away with a no-decision in the White Sox 6-5 win against the Yankees.
Midweek Kershaw Day
Clayton Kershaw will be the Dodgers’ starter on Wednesday, dueling against righty Mike Clevinger.
For Kershaw, he’ll be looking for a repeat performance after his dismantling of an overmatched Reds team, going seven shutout innings last Thursday with nine strikeouts for good measure, putting up a great performance when his team absolutely needed it.
As for Clevinger, he had a solid outing in his last start but got no run support, going 5 2/3 and allowing only three runs. He does have a penchant for giving up the long ball though, as he gave up two against the Yankees his last time out.
At first glance, J.D. Martinez and Freddie Freeman are two strong candidates to take Clevinger deep if his command becomes an issue.
Michael Grove closes it out
In the series finale, it’ll be Dylan Cease going up against rookie Michael Grove on Thursday.
For Grove, he’s gone through some expected rookie hurdles, and while at times he’s thrown poorly, he’s shown flashes of the ability that he’s a solid contributor for the Dodgers this season.
A goal for the young righty should be to give the Dodgers a quality five innings, especially with the bullpen struggles of late. If his command is in check, he may be able to pull that off against the inconsistent White Sox in what would be a good reset for the hurler.
He’ll be going up against Dylan Cease, who’s coming off a great start against the Miami Marlins his last time out. Cease possesses great strikeout stuff and he showed that against the Marlins, sitting seven down over six innings.
I could see the Dodgers struggling against Cease on Thursday, and it’ll take great discipline to lay off his slider that opponents are hitting only .219 against.
