On The Horizon: Cubs vs. White Sox series preview

You already know that the White Sox made one truly significant trade this month, the one that sent Jose Quintana to the Cubs.

The Sox also made another significant deal, sending David Robertson, Todd Frazier and Tommy Kahnle to the Yankees.

For more on the new-look South Siders, I asked Jim Margalus, managing editor of our SB Nation White Sox site South Side Sox, to update us on his team.

It's hard to think of a better time to pick on the White Sox. They have yet to win a game in the second half, and more to the point, it's hard to see how they can win games with any regularity over the last two-plus months. The starters have a helluva time getting through five innings, which leaves way too much work for a depleted bullpen. Thanks to trades and injuries, Anthony Swarzak and Dan Jennings are the team's best relievers, and both could be dealt before the end of the month. This might be the nadir of the whole endeavor when all is said and done.

The offense isn't in nearly as bad a shape, but right now a lot of the diamond is devoted to extended auditions for players who seem more likely to be ench types -- both catchers, third base, center field and DH, and more if and when Melky Cabrera is dealt. It doesn't help that Tim Anderson has taken a step back on both sides of the ball, and Todd Frazier's professionalism is going to be missed. Yoan Moncada's at-bats are helping to pass the time right now, but aside from him and a few other tough outs (Melky, Jose Abreu, Avisail Garcia), it's all so very rebuildy.

Fun fact

The Cubs trail the all-time series between the two teams 57-51, but the teams have split 10 games over the last two seasons. Last year the home team won all four games in this matchup, the Cubs winning a pair at Wrigley and the Sox winning two on the South Side.

Pitching matchups

Monday: Kyle Hendricks, RHP (4-3, 4.09 ERA, 1.200 WHIP, 4.50 FIP) vs. Miguel Gonzalez, RHP (4-9, 4.89 ERA, 1.512 WHIP, 5.12 FIP)

Tuesday: John Lackey, RHP (6-9, 5.04 ERA, 1.331 WHIP, 5.69 FIP) vs. Carlos Rodon, LHP (1-3, 5.75 ERA, 1.623 WHIP, 6.59 FIP)

Wednesday: Jake Arrieta, RHP (9-7, 4.11 ERA, 1.263 WHIP, 4.21 FIP) vs. James Shields, RHP (2-2, 5.79 ERA, 1.629 WHIP, 6.84 FIP)

Thursday: Jon Lester, LHP (7-6, 3.95 ERA, 1.236 WHIP, 3.87 FIP) vs. Mike Pelfrey, RHP (3-7, 4.46 ERA, 1.449 WHIP, 5.32 FIP)

Times & TV channels

Monday: 1:20 p.m. CT, ABC7 Chicago, MLB Network (outside Cubs and White Sox markets), CSN Chicago (Sox announcers)

Tuesday: 1:20 p.m. CT, CSN Chicago, MLB Network (outside Cubs and White Sox markets), WGN (Sox announcers)

Wednesday: 7:10 p.m. CT, ABC7 Chicago, ESPN, CSN Chicago (Sox announcers)

Thursday: 7:10 p.m. CT, CSN Chicago, WGN (Sox announcers)

Prediction

I mean... look at those White Sox starter ERAs. Granted, the Cubs’ aren’t hugely better than those, although Cubs starters have been very good since the All-Star break. The last time the Cubs faced a team with bad starting pitching (Orioles), they annihilated them. White Sox starters aren’t quite as bad as Baltimore’s — they rank 20th in ERA, Baltimore is 29th. (FWIW, Cubs starters rank eighth.) Nevertheless, I think the Cubs will have fun with the bats in this series and win three of four.

Up next

The Cubs head to Milwaukee for an important three-game series against the Brewers which begins Friday evening.