Public leaning heavily toward the under as Cannon and Bradley both aim to rebound from recent struggles.
Game Overview
The White Sox have surprisingly turned things around coming out of the All-Star break, going 6-4 in their last 10 games including a history-making four-game win streak where they won each contest by 5+ runs. That streak was snapped in yesterday's 4-3 loss where rookie Colson Montgomery launched his first MLB homer. Meanwhile, the Rays are desperately trying to stay in the AL Wild Card race, sitting just a half-game behind Boston for the final spot. Tampa Bay has struggled with consistency, going just 4-6 in their last 10 games, but they have dominated the head-to-head matchup historically, winning 13 of the last 18 meetings including Tuesday's 4-3 victory.
Key Matchups & Analysis
- Cannon vs. Bradley: Two Young Arms Seeking Consistency
Jonathan Cannon (4-7, 4.18 ERA) brings a solid but unspectacular arsenal to the mound for Chicago. His 1.38 WHIP indicates traffic on the basepaths, but he's managed to limit damage with 63 strikeouts in 84 innings. Meanwhile, Taj Bradley (6-6, 4.35 ERA) possesses more swing-and-miss stuff with 95 strikeouts in 109.2 innings, but has been plagued by inconsistency this season despite his reputation as one of Tampa's top pitching prospects. - Rays' Stolen Base Advantage
The Rays feature speedster Chandler Simpson (30 SB), who just set the franchise rookie record with three steals in Tuesday's game. Look for Tampa Bay to continue testing Chicago's catchers, who have struggled controlling the running game all season with a caught stealing rate of just 21%. - White Sox Power Resurgence
Chicago has found unexpected power lately, becoming the first team in MLB history to win their first four games out of the All-Star break by 5+ runs. Luis Robert Jr. has shown signs of life with a .500 batting average over his last four games, while rookies like Montgomery are beginning to contribute. - Bullpen Disparity
Tampa Bay holds a significant advantage in the late innings with closer Pete Fairbanks (17 saves) anchoring a relief corps that features multiple setup men with double-digit holds. The White Sox bullpen remains a work in progress, though Mike Vasil and Tyler Alexander have emerged as reliable options.