The Chicago White Sox return to Rate Field on Friday, August 7 to open a home series against the Cleveland Guardians, with first pitch set for 7:40 PM ET. Left-hander Noah Schultz gets the ball for Chicago against Cleveland's Parker Messick in what shapes up as a pitching-centered matchup between two AL Central rivals. Division games carry weight at any point in the schedule, and with August underway, every series between these two clubs carries real standings implications. Chicago Sports Network has the TV call locally; Sox radio fans can tune in on ESPN Chicago WMVP 1000 AM.
White Sox vs. Guardians Pitching Matchup: Schultz vs. Messick
Noah Schultz is the story on the South Side mound. The young left-hander has been one of the more closely watched arms in the Chicago system as he works to establish himself at the big-league level. Friday gives him another opportunity to build on whatever he has put together this season against a Cleveland lineup that has consistently made life difficult for opposing pitchers. Schultz's ability to command the strike zone and generate early-count outs will be the central question of his outing.
For the Guardians, Parker Messick draws the assignment. Messick is a left-handed starter who figures to challenge the White Sox lineup with similar stuff. Cleveland has a track record of developing pitching, and Messick fits the profile of an arm the organization believes in. How the Sox approach him from the left side of the plate — and whether they can manufacture any early traffic — sets the tone for the entire night.
Keys to Watch in Friday's Series Opener
- Schultz's command early: If Schultz can get ahead in counts and limit walks, he gives Chicago a legitimate chance to keep Cleveland's offense quiet through the middle innings.
- White Sox lineup discipline: Messick will likely try to work the edges. The Sox need patient at-bats to extend counts and get into a bullpen that neither team wants to rely on too early.
- Bullpen management: With both starters in various stages of their development arcs, the back end of each bullpen could play a significant role by the sixth or seventh inning. Matching up late will matter.
- Rate Field crowd energy: A summer Friday night at Rate Field with a division rival in town tends to bring a different atmosphere. Home crowd support can be a real factor in close games.
Prediction
This figures to be a tight, low-scoring game — the kind of grinding divisional contest that Cleveland and Chicago have produced consistently. Both Schultz and Messick are pitchers who can keep a game close, and neither offense is one that runs up big numbers without stringing things together. Give the slight edge to the White Sox at home on a Friday night. Schultz keeps Chicago in it long enough for the offense to scratch across what turns out to be the difference. White Sox 3, Guardians 2.
