Chicago @ Philadelphia preview
Citizens Bank Park
Last Meeting ( Jul 13, 2013 ) Chi. White Sox 1, Philadelphia 2
Following a pair of taxing extra-inning games to begin the series, the Philadelphia Phillies would like nothing more than an uneventful victory as they attempt to take two of three at home from the Chicago White Sox on Sunday. Philadelphia rebounded from an 11-inning loss Saturday afternoon with a 13-inning victory in the nightcap to earn a split of the day-night doubleheader, but it came at a price. Leadoff hitter Ben Revere broke his right foot and will be out indefinitely.
The Phillies (47-48) are 3-10 in games in which they have a chance to reach .500, but could crack the break even mark for the first time since June 7 with a rejuvenated Cole Hamels on the mound against a Chicago team that could be without Gordon Beckham. The White Sox second baseman is batting .396 in July, but left the nightcap with a left quadriceps contusion following a collision with outfielder Casper Wells. However, the team could opt to rest Beckham, who is 6-for-39 against left-handers.
TV: 1:35 p.m. ET, WGN (Chicago), PHL 17 (Philadelphia)
PITCHING MATCHUP: White Sox LH Jose Quintana (4-2, 3.67 ERA) vs. Phillies LH Cole Hamels (4-11, 4.17)
Quintana ended a string of seven straight no-decisions with a victory in Tuesday’s 11-4 road win against the Detroit Tigers. The left-hander, who has fanned 18 in his last 15 innings, permitted three runs and six hits over a career high-tying eight frames to improve to 2-0 in nine starts away from home. Quintana has recorded seven of his 12 no-decisions on the road and will face the Phillies for the first time, but is 1-1 with a 1.65 ERA in four career interleague outings.
After posting a total of two wins over his first 17 starts, Hamels recorded his second victory in as many turns during Tuesday’s 4-2 triumph over the Washington Nationals. The three-time All-Star gave up one run on six hits over eight frames to lower his July ERA to 1.20 after ending June with a 4.58 ERA. Hamels, who will attempt to win three straight outings for the first time since last August, won his only career start against the White Sox in 2007, allowing two runs and striking out eight over eight innings.
WALK-OFFS
1. Revere was batting .431 over his last 15 games before his injury.
2. The White Sox are 7-15 over their last 22 road games.
3. Chicago and Philadelphia combined to go 6-for-42 with runners in scoring position in Saturday’s doubleheader.
PREDICTION: Phillies 3, White Sox 2