Stinky Sox — Series Preview: White Sox at Phillies, April 19 – 21

For the first time in 2024, the Phillies will be dabbling in interleague play as the three-win Chicago White Sox are en route to South Philadelphia. In 2024, the White Sox have only played one less game than the Phillies, but they have won a whopping eight fewer matchups. As the bottom feeders of the AL Central, the Phillies have the opportunity to build upon their momentum following a three-game sweep of the Colorado Rockies earlier this week.

To put the White Sox season in context, they have played 18 games, are seven games out of a Wild Card spot, and are 9.5 games back in the NL Central, one of the weaker divisions in baseball.

The 2023-24 offseason was an active one in Chicago, but it’s hard to pinpoint any areas where the White Sox made any significant improvements, especially with Dylan Cease being dealt to the Padres. However, they did make some minor moves to plug the holes on their roster. Starters Erick Fedde and Chris Flexen inked short-term deals with the White Sox, and shortstop Paul DeJong was signed to replace Tim Anderson, who became a free agent after 2023. Tim Hill was signed to bolster the bullpen, and—via trade—Mike Soroka and Nicky Lopez were swapped with now-Braves’ reliever Aaron Bummer.

Holes in the Sox

Unlike mine (and hopefully yours), these Sox have some holes in them, evident by their 3-15 record. As a team, the White Sox are averaging just two runs per game, have a team batting average of only .196, and have an OPS of .571.

From the pitching side of things, they have a team ERA of 4.40 and have allowed 2.4 times as many home runs as their offense has hit. Averaging 4.4 walks per game, their team WHIP is a rough 1.39.

Needless to say, the White Sox are not a team aiming to reach the playoffs in 2024. However, they still have some young players that could play a big role for the White Sox once they undergo a rebuilding phase. Andrew Vaughn, the third overall pick from the 2019 amateur draft, had a solid OPS of .743 in 2023, slugging 21 homers and 30 doubles. Garrett Crochet, a first-round selection in 2020, has a 2.92 career ERA and is already a big part of the White Sox rotation at just 24 years of age.

Phillies’ Sluggers Heating Up

It may have taken a few weeks, but the Phillies “big guns” atop the lineup—Kyle Schwarber, Trea Turner, and Bryce Harper—may all be heating up at the same time.

Undoubtedly, Schwarber has been the most consistent of the three this season, as his average has hovered around the low .200s for most of the season. And while this might not seem like a promising sign, he looks to be in much better shape than in 2023, and his new approach has certainly made him a more well-rounded hitter. In his last seven games, Schwarber has a .269 batting average, three home runs, and an impressive .615 slugging percentage.

Harper is also hitting his long-awaited hot streak, as he recorded a hit in all three games of the Rockies series, including a home run and three RBI on Tuesday. Despite his cold streak, Harper’s 91.7 mile-per-hour average exit velocity is third-best on the Phillies, trailing only Kyle Schwarber and Brandon Marsh.

Trea Turner has been a consistent bat for the Phillies for most of 2024, but over the last few games, he has really gotten hot. Turner has two home runs, three RBI, only three strikeouts, and a slash line of .414/.433/.759.

Game Times and Broadcasts

Friday, April 19, at 6:40pm ET on NBC Sports Philadelphia, 94.1 WIP, and WTTM 1680 (Spanish)

Tuesday, April 20, at 6:40pm ET on NBC Sports Philadelphia, 94.1 WIP, and WTTM 1680 (Spanish)

Wednesday, April 21, at 6:05pm ET on NBC Sports Philadelphia, 94.1 WIP, and WTTM 1680 (Spanish)

Pitching Matchups

Game 1: Spencer Turnbull (RHP, 1-0, 1.80 ERA) vs. Garrett Crochet (LHP, 1-2, 3.57 ERA)

Game 2: Zack Wheeler (RHP, 0-3, 3.00 ERA) vs. Michael Soroka (RHP, 0-2, 6.98 ERA)

Game 3: Aaron Nola (RHP, 2-1, 3.47 ERA) vs. Nick Nastrini (RHP, 0-1, 3.60 ERA)

By the Numbers

• Records
• Phillies: 11-8
• White Sox: 3-15

• Run Differential
• Phillies: -6
• White Sox: -54

• Runs Scored Per Game
• Phillies: 3.79
• White Sox: 2.11

• Runs Allowed Per Game
• Phillies: 4.11
• White Sox: 5.11

---

Use code PHILLYSPORTSREPORT for $20 off your first SeatGeek order

Click here to save 10% on any order at FOCO