The Crosstown Classic is back. The Chicago White Sox travel north to Wrigley Field on Monday, August 17, for a 8:05 PM ET first pitch against the Chicago Cubs. Luis Castillo gets the ball for the Sox against Cubs left-hander Shota Imanaga. Bragging rights, civic pride, and two very different trajectories in the standings make this one matter beyond the box score. Catch it on Chicago Sports Network or WCIU-TV, and on radio via ESPN Chicago WMVP 1000 AM or 104.3 The Score.

Pitching Matchup: Castillo vs. Imanaga

Luis Castillo draws the start for the White Sox, a marquee assignment in a marquee rivalry game. Castillo's presence at the top of this start speaks to his importance in the Sox rotation. He'll face a tough assignment in Imanaga, the Cubs' Japanese left-hander who has established himself as one of the more reliable arms in the National League since arriving in Chicago. Imanaga's ability to generate weak contact and work deep into games will be a challenge for a White Sox lineup that will need to be disciplined and patient to generate traffic against him.

Chicago White Sox Lineup

• Chase Meidroth, 2B
• Munetaka Murakami, 1B
• Miguel Vargas, 3B
• Randal Grichuk, DH
• Braden Montgomery, RF
• Brenton Doyle, CF
• Sam Antonacci, LF
• Luisangel Acuña, SS
• Jake Rogers, C

Chicago Cubs Lineup

• Pete Crow-Armstrong, CF
• Seiya Suzuki, RF
• Michael Busch, 1B
• Alex Bregman, 3B
• Ian Happ, LF
• Nico Hoerner, SS
• Pedro Ramírez, 2B
• Michael Conforto, DH
• Carson Kelly, C

Keys to Watch for the White Sox

Murakami in the Middle of the Order

Munetaka Murakami batting second gives the White Sox lineup a formidable presence early. How Imanaga attacks the Japanese slugger — and how Murakami adjusts — could define the offensive tone for the South Siders all night. If Murakami gets on base and sets the table for Miguel Vargas and Randal Grichuk, the Sox have a real chance to put runs on the board at Wrigley.

Castillo Keeping the Cubs' Top Third in Check

The Cubs counter with a dangerous 1-2-3 of Pete Crow-Armstrong, Seiya Suzuki, and Michael Busch, followed by Alex Bregman — one of the better lineup constructions in the National League. Castillo will need to limit damage when those bats get going. Keeping the ball in the park and avoiding the big inning is the assignment.

Brenton Doyle and the Bottom of the Sox Order

The White Sox will need contributions from the bottom third — Brenton Doyle, Sam Antonacci, Luisangel Acuña, and Jake Rogers — to take pressure off the top of the lineup. Against a pitcher like Imanaga, lineup-wide discipline matters. A crooked number from an unexpected source would be a welcome sight.

Prediction

This is a tough draw. Wrigley Field, a loaded Cubs lineup featuring Bregman, Suzuki, and Crow-Armstrong, and a sharp Imanaga on the mound makes this an uphill climb for the Sox. That said, Castillo is capable of going toe-to-toe with anyone on any given night, and Murakami gives Chicago a genuine X-factor at the plate. Expect a tight, low-scoring game. Cubs 3, White Sox 2 — but the Sox make it interesting late.