White Sox look to shut down Guardians’ catalysts again

Chicago White Sox pitching has limited Cleveland Guardians catalysts Steven Kwan and Jose Ramirez to 2-for-17 with three strikeouts through the first two games of a four-game weekend set.

While the host White Sox have just one victory to show for those efforts as the series continues Saturday afternoon, they figure executing the plan beats the alternative.

“We know those guys are outstanding players and they’re going to be a challenge for us,” Chicago manager Will Venable said on the White Sox team broadcast. “So we do our best and attack them the best we can and hope for good results.”

Cleveland and Chicago split a doubleheader on Friday. The White Sox rallied from a late deficit to win the nightcap 5-4 in 11 innings on Mike Tauchman’s infield single, which drove in Colson Montgomery.

Ramirez hit a two-run homer in Game 2 and has four homers in his past five games.

Guardians pitchers yielded just two hits in the opener while Cleveland hit three home runs. The decisive, two-run blast came off the bat of Carlos Santana, who’s in his third stint with the club and hopes to mirror his past as a clutch contributor after struggling for much of the first half of the season.

Santana endured an 0-for-15 stretch this month but said he feels he’s starting to turn things around.

“It’s a long season,” he said. “All of my career, I’ve finished strong. I’m a second-half player. I know the team needs me. … I try to prepare through the All-Star break now, keep working on my swing, work on my body. I don’t worry. Check my numbers in September. I’m confident.”

As for the White Sox, while his long-term future with the team is less certain given rumored trade talks, center fielder Luis Robert Jr. also is working through extended struggles.

Robert Jr., who was reinstated from the 10-day injured list (left hamstring strain) Tuesday, connected for a two-run home run in the opener Friday. His nine home runs are one behind team co-leaders Andrew Benintendi and Miguel Vargas.

“It’s just getting into the game rhythm,” Robert said. “It’s an adjustment. But I feel good, and when my body is asking me for more, I’ll go for more.”

Cleveland’s Tanner Bibee (4-9, 4.35 ERA) is set to start Saturday against Sean Burke (4-8, 4.40) in a matchup of right-handers. Bibee has been ineffective in his first two July starts, going 0-1 with a 9.35 ERA. He took a no-decision at Houston on Monday, scattering four runs and four hits — including a pair of home runs — in 4 2/3 innings of Cleveland’s 7-5 victory.

Bibee is 1-0 with a 6.55 ERA in two career starts against the White Sox with eight strikeouts and five walks in 11 innings.

Burke will aim for his first victory against the Guardians in his third appearance and second start against them. He lost an April 9 start in Cleveland 3-2 after spacing three runs and three hits in three innings. That included a solo home run from Santana.

Burke took an 8-4 loss on Monday in a home start against the Toronto Blue Jays, yielding three home runs among his six runs and six hits in five innings.

Cleveland’s Angel Martinez has an extra-base hit in six straight games.

–Field Level Media