Phillies Face White Sox in Crucial Series Opener

CHICAGO (AP) — The Philadelphia Phillies aim for the top of the NL East as they face the Chicago White Sox Monday night in a vital matchup at Rate Field. First pitch is set for 7:40 PM ET.

Philadelphia enters the game with a record of 60-44, trailing the New York Mets by half a game in the division. The Phillies have won four of their last five games and are looking to continue their strong play. They come off a series win over the Boston Red Sox, where Cristopher Sánchez pitched a complete game in a 4-1 victory last Tuesday.

Sánchez (9-2, 2.40 ERA) has been a significant factor in the Phillies’ success. In his last start, the left-hander allowed only four hits and struck out 12 in nine innings. He’s been consistent, and the Phillies are 7-3 against Chicago in their last ten meetings.

The White Sox, sitting at the bottom of the AL Central with a record of 38-67, have shown some signs of life recently, winning six of their last eight games. However, they are still 12.5 games behind in the division. They lost their last matchup against the Cubs, with Andrew Benintendi homering twice in what turned out to be a narrow 5-4 defeat.

Davis Martin (2-8, 3.49 ERA) will start for the White Sox. He struggles against left-handed hitters, which could pose a challenge against the Phillies’ lineup, who excel in those matchups. The White Sox are hitting .226 this season, ranking near the bottom of the league, and their recent performance has not helped.

Philadelphia averages 4.71 runs per game and holds a .256 batting average, ranking fourth in the league in both categories. The Phillies are also giving up 3.99 runs per game, positioning them as a strong contender for this series.

As both teams seek to improve their standings, this game is set up for an exciting matchup, especially with Sánchez’s recent pitching form giving the Phillies an edge. The first challenge in this series will significantly impact their push toward the playoffs.

Expect fireworks as the Phillies look to capitalize on Sánchez’s momentum and continue their ascent in the standings.