White Sox at Cubs
Eloy Jimenez haunted his former organization in the series opener with a game-winning, two-run homer, and he looks to help the Chicago White Sox finish a two-game sweep of the host Chicago Cubs on Wednesday. Jimenez, one of four prospects obtained when the White Sox traded Jose Quintana to the Cubs in July 2017, hit his blast in the top of the ninth to give the White Sox a 3-1 win.
The 22-year-old Jimenez is batting .254 with 12 homers and 27 RBIs in 47 games while regularly displaying signs of being a future star. Another player who has emerged as a standout is Lucas Giolito, who will be looking to win his ninth straight start on Wednesday. Kyle Schwarber homered for the Cubs' lone run in the opener while Kris Bryant had three of the team's six hits. Jason Heyward recorded the other two hits for his fourth two-hit performance in his last eight contests.
TV: 8:05 p.m. ET, NBCS Chicago (White Sox), ABC 7 (Cubs)
PITCHING MATCHUP: White Sox RH Lucas Giolito (10-1, 2.22 ERA) vs. Cubs LH Jon Lester (5-5, 4.08)
Giolito has posted a spectacular 0.94 ERA during the eight-start winning streak and has registered 65 strikeouts over 57 1/3 innings. The 24-year-old has allowed fewer than two runs in seven of the outings and given up five or fewer hits in all eight starts. Giolito is 1-1 with a 5.84 ERA in two career starts versus the Cubs while struggling with Javier Baez (2-for-6, one homer, four RBIs.
Lester was roughed up by the Los Angeles Dodgers in his last turn as he served up a season-worst three homers and gave up six runs and nine hits over five innings. The 35-year-old has allowed four or more earned runs in five of his last six outings and is 2-4 during the stretch. Lester is 9-6 with a 4.13 ERA in 17 career starts against the White Sox and has experienced issues with Jose Abreu (6-for-15, one homer).
WALK-OFFS
1. White Sox 3B Yoan Moncada (back) is expected to return to the starting lineup after failing to start five of the last six contests.
2. Recently signed Cubs RHP Craig Kimbrel made his first appearance for Triple-A Iowa on Tuesday and tossed a perfect inning.
3. The White Sox placed Welington Castillo (oblique) on the 10-day injured list, recalled fellow C Zack Collins from Triple-A Charlotte and activated LHP Jace Fry (shoulder) from the injured list.