Lots to get to in a last-minute game thread, so happy Hispanic Heritage Night!
A little bit of team business, Martín Pérez hates the accordion and can’t be at the park hurt his shoulder last outing and is out for the season, on the 15-day IL. It is likely not the last we’ll see of Pérez, as he is a certainty to be back on a mutual option for 2026. Cam Booser comes back from Charlotte to keep the kayak afloat as another lefty on the roster.
Tonight it’s a matchup of … aces? Well, whatever you call them,
it’s Davis Martin and Dylan Cease:
I mean, the NL is stronger, much stronger, than the AL in 2025 but that ERA sucks, Cease. Lotta Ks, to keep up with the Chris Sales, Garrett Crochets and Carlos Rodóns of the ex-Sox world, but man that’s not the way to do a salary drive, Dylan. It’s not terribly often that the White Sox have a starting pitching advantage, but here it is. Martin will try to drive that ERA short of 4.00 again with a strong outing.
The Padres are a significantly stronger team than the White Sox, apparent in the lineups. Add in some desperation to clinch the playoffs and possibly even catch the vulnerable Dodgers (just three games ahead), combine that with ice-cold bats in Chicago and another reeling toward 100 losses, and this weekend could spell some real trouble.
Yes, Miguel Vargas is batting cleanup. Don’t cast your Manager of the Year ballot just yet.
Game details in the graphic above. I can’t promise the recap will be me. There could be surprises involved, depending on the drag of the game.
