A clash of American League rivals gets underway as the Los Angeles Angels travel to the Windy City to face the Chicago White Sox in the first game of a three-game series on Tuesday night. After a tough stretch, the Angels managed to secure a 9-8 victory against the Houston Astros, marking their first win in three games. Meanwhile, the White Sox faced a disappointing sweep at the hands of the San Diego Padres, concluding with a 4-2 loss on Sunday. Earlier this season, the Angels won two out of three games against the White Sox during their matchup from September 16-18.
Angels Looking to Build Momentum
After a challenging season, the Angels celebrated a rare win on Sunday, pulling off their third victory in the last 12 games. Entering the week with a record of 63-93, Los Angeles found themselves at the bottom of the AL West, trailing the Astros by a staggering 22 games. With playoff aspirations extinguished, they aim to finish the season on a positive note. In their recent game against Houston, Zach Neto stood out, hitting two home runs and driving in six runs. The pitching staff was led by Brock Burke, who earned the win in relief after a solid performance, while Griffin Canning struggled but did not factor into the decision.
Jack Kochanowicz is set to take the mound for the Angels, marking his 10th start of the season. Currently holding a record of 2-5 with a 4.56 ERA, he has demonstrated potential with 20 strikeouts over 51.1 innings. In his previous start against the White Sox, Kochanowicz excelled, allowing just one run through seven innings before the Angels triumphed in extra innings. He aims to build on that performance, hoping to secure a victory in his first career start at Guaranteed Rate Field.
White Sox Facing Historic Challenges
The White Sox, on the other hand, are grappling with a dismal season, having lost five consecutive games. With a record of 36-120, they find themselves 53.5 games behind their division rivals, the Guardians. The team has been eliminated from playoff contention and is on the brink of setting a modern-day record for losses in a single season. Despite Miguel Vargas hitting a home run in their latest loss to San Diego, the team struggled offensively, contributing to their continued woes. Sean Burke delivered a solid start, but the bullpen faltered, resulting in a disappointing loss.
Jonathan Cannon will be on the mound for the White Sox, making his 22nd appearance and 20th start of the year. With a record of 4-10 and a 4.61 ERA, Cannon has shown flashes of brilliance, including a recent win against the Angels where he pitched effectively for over six innings. As he prepares to face Los Angeles again, Cannon will seek to replicate his success from last week and help the White Sox avoid further embarrassment as they approach the season’s end.
Key Insights for Angels vs. White Sox
Both teams have struggled throughout the season and are now focused on finishing strong. The Angels managed to secure a win in their last encounter with the White Sox, showcasing a resilient performance from their starter, Kochanowicz. Given the White Sox’s current form and their disappointing record, the Angels hold the advantage heading into this matchup. As the White Sox aim to avoid setting an unwanted record, the stakes are high for both teams, but the Angels seem poised to hand the White Sox their 121st loss of the season.
