The Chicago White Sox head to Tropicana Field on Sunday, August 2, for a 1:40 PM ET afternoon clash with the Tampa Bay Rays. Left-hander Anthony Kay gets the ball for Chicago opposite Tampa Bay's Griffin Jax. The game airs locally on Chicago Sports Network and ESPN Chicago WMVP 1000 AM, giving Sox fans every reason to tune in for what shapes up as a competitive mid-summer Sunday contest.
White Sox at Rays: Starting Pitching Matchup on August 2, 2026
Anthony Kay draws the start for the White Sox in what will be a significant test on the road. Kay is a left-handed starter who has worked his way into Chicago's rotation, and how he handles Tampa Bay's lineup at Tropicana Field will be worth watching closely. The Rays counter with Griffin Jax, giving this game two pitchers with something to prove on a Sunday afternoon slate.
Neither starter's current season numbers are locked in ahead of first pitch, which makes this one of those games where you watch the stuff and the sequencing rather than lean on a ERA comparison. Pay attention to how Kay works through the Rays' order the second and third time through — that's typically where his outings are made or broken.
Keys to Watch for Chicago
- Anthony Kay's command: Kay's ability to work both sides of the plate and keep Tampa Bay's hitters off-balance will dictate how deep into the game Chicago can reasonably ask him to go. If his command is sharp early, the Sox bullpen gets a breather.
- Handling Tropicana Field: Visiting clubs don't always love the artificial turf and unique sight lines inside Tropicana. Chicago's outfielders need to track balls cleanly and the infield has to stay sharp on the tricky hops Tampa's surface can produce.
- Offensive approach against Jax: Griffin Jax is a capable arm, and Chicago will need to work counts and manufacture runs rather than wait around for a big inning. Plate discipline and situational hitting matter here.
- Bullpen management: With a 1:40 PM start, managers tend to be a little more aggressive going to their relievers. How the White Sox handle the back end of their staff in a road environment will matter if Kay exits early.
Prediction
This game has the feel of a tight, low-scoring Sunday afternoon contest. Both starters carry some uncertainty heading in, which means the team that gets timely hitting and cleaner defense is likely to come out on top. The White Sox have the pitching depth to keep this close, but winning on the road at Tropicana has never been a given for any visiting club. Give Chicago a fighting chance here — call it a one-run game that comes down to a late-inning at-bat or two. Sox 4, Rays 3.
