Phillies Look to Continue Their Road Trip Success With Series Against White Sox
The Philadelphia Phillies will continue their road trip with a three-game series against the Chicago White Sox. The current road trip has already been off to a hot start, with the Phillies taking the first two games over the New York Yankees to clinch the series win. The team will look to go for the sweep with the final game being played at 1:35 p.m. EST. During this road trip, it has been the offense that has shown up for the Phillies, and more specifically, the long ball. The Phillies across the first two games have five home runs, including two from MVP candidate Kyle Schwarber, who continues his phenomenal season. The two wins put the Phillies at a 60-44 record, just a half game behind the Mets for the top spot in the NL East. Heading into Chicago, the team will look to keep its hot streak going and come out with a series win over the White Sox as they push to compete for a championship.
As for the White Sox, their season has not gone the same way as the Phillies has, as they sit at the bottom of the AL Central with a 38-67 record. On the bright side, though, the team has been red hot since the All-Star break. The White Sox have won six out of their last eight games, including a sweep over the Pirates and a series win over the Tampa Bay Rays. Currently, the White Sox are tied in a series with the Cubs, with the final game being played at 2:10 p.m. EST. Even though the White Sox's season has not gone according to plan, the team is still in a rebuild and looks to continue developing its pieces throughout this season. The team will look to continue its hot streak and steal the series away from the Phillies.
Monday 7/28 - 7:40 p.m. EST
In the first game of the series, it will be Cristopher Sanchez going for the Phillies against Davis Martin for the White Sox. Sanchez has had a phenomenal season up to this point for the Phillies and has thrown himself into the Cy Young conversation. He comes into the matchup with a 9-2 record to go along with a 2.40 ERA and is top-15 in strikeouts with 134. Despite those stats, Sanchez was snubbed from the All-Star game, which caused his teammates to defend him publicly. Sanchez himself just used it as motivation, and in his first start after the break, Sanchez pitched a complete game while only giving up one run. Sanchez will look to keep his season momentum going and take game one for the Phillies. As for his counterpart in this matchup, Davis Martin, his season has gone on a different track than Sanchez's. He comes in with a 2-8 record and a 3.89 ERA. Martin is only 28 years old and continues to get better each of his first three years. He will look to lead the White Sox to an upset win over the Phillies on Monday.
Tuesday 7/29 - 7:40 p.m. EST
In the pivotal second game of the series, it is Jesus Luzardo for the Phillies against Jonathan Cannon for the White Sox. For Luzardo, he had an amazing start to the season with a 5-0 record to go along with his then 1.95 ERA. Since then, Luzardo hasn’t looked like that at all with an 8-5 record and a 4.58 ERA. During this stretch, Luzardo has been inconsistent, producing a quality start but then following it up with two tough outings. Luzardo will need to channel some momentum from earlier this season to clinch the second game for the Phillies. As for Cannon, he has been solid this season for the White Sox, but also not great. He comes in with a 4-7 record and a 4.48 ERA, but Cannon is only 25 and is in his second season in the MLB. Cannon will look to pick up a massive win in his young career against the Phillies on Tuesday.
Wednesday 7/30 - 2:10 p.m. EST
In the final game of the series, it will be Taijuan Walker for the Phillies against Adrian Houser for the White Sox. Walker has had a very complicated season for the Phillies up to this point, being a starter, then in the bullpen now back in the starting rotation. Walker has handled it like a pro but has struggled at times. He comes in with a 3.84 ERA but has given up three runs in each of his last two starts, both of which were in less than six innings. Walker will hopefully look to gain some more stability and pick up a win against the White Sox. As for Houser, he has had an amazing season up to this point. At 32 years old, he is pitching a career year with his 6-2 record to go along with a 2.10 ERA. Not only do his counting stats stand out, but he stays deep in his starts. In three out of his last four starts, he has gone to at least the sixth inning, while out of his 11 starts, he has only not reached the sixth inning twice. Houser will look to continue his hot season, going with his start against the Phillies.
