On the other side, Anthony Kay is the lefty Chicago imported from Japan on a 2-year, $12M deal after he posted a 1.74 ERA over there. His MLB return has been bumpier — 5.70 ERA across 7 outings — but he's still locked in as Chicago's No. 3 starter mostly because the alternatives are worse. Kay's mix of sinker, four-seam, slider and sweeper is real; the command has come and gone.
The lineup wrinkle is that this White Sox club is not the punchline it used to be. Munetaka Murakami has 14 homers and trails only the league leader in MLB. Miguel Vargas is on a career-best heater. The Sox dropped 3 of their last 5 and are 17-21, but they've punched above their weight at home. They could absolutely tag a wobbly Castillo.
Books still have Seattle as a moderate favorite at -130 with the run line at -1.5, which feels like the market trusting the name on the back of the jersey more than the line score this year. The total of 9 makes sense given both starters are leaking runs. Both injury lists are also a mess — Bryce Miller is close to returning for Seattle, while Chicago is still without Austin Hays, Kyle Teel, and a chunk of their bullpen.
- Day-To-DayTeddy McGraw (SP) — McGraw is working his way back from right elbow issues, Jonathan Mayo of MLB Pipeline reports.05/08
- 10-Day-ILPatrick Wisdom (1B) — The Mariners placed Wisdom on the 10-day injured list Friday due to a left oblique strain, retroactive to Wednesday.05/08
- 10-Day-ILVictor Robles (RF) — Robles (pectoral) will begin a rehab assignment at Triple-A Tacoma on Sunday, Adam Jude of The Seattle Times reports.05/08
- 10-Day-ILWill Wilson (3B) — The Mariners placed Wilson on the 10-day injured list Saturday due to a fractured left thumb.05/08
- 15-Day-ILBryce Miller (SP) — The Mariners are leaning toward activating Miller (oblique) from the 15-day injured list next week in Houston, Adam Jude of The Seattle Times reports.05/08
- 15-Day-ILGabe Speier (RP) — The Mariners placed Speier on the 15-day injured list Monday with left shoulder inflammation, Ryan Divish of The Seattle Times reports.05/08
- 15-Day-ILMatt Brash (RP) — Brash (lat) began playing catch Tuesday, Ryan Divish of The Seattle Times reports.05/08
- 60-Day-ILMiles Mastrobuoni (3B) — Seattle transferred Mastrobuoni (calf) from the 10-day injured list to the 60-day IL on Monday.05/08
- 60-Day-ILLogan Evans (SP) — The Mariners placed Evans (elbow) on the 60-day injured list Monday.05/08
- 60-Day-ILCarlos Vargas (RP) — Vargas (lat) has suffered a setback in his recovery, Ryan Divish of The Seattle Times reports.05/08
- Day-To-DayMason Adams (RP) — The White Sox announced that Adams underwent successful Tommy John surgery Wednesday, Scott Merkin of MLB.com reports.05/08
- 10-Day-ILKyle Teel (C) — Teel (hamstring) will run the bases this weekend before beginning a rehab assignment next week if all goes well, Scott Merkin of MLB.com reports.05/08
- 10-Day-ILAustin Hays (LF) — The White Sox placed Hays on the 10-day injured list, retroactive to Saturday, due to a left calf strain.05/08
- 10-Day-ILEverson Pereira (RF) — The White Sox placed Pereira on the 10-day injured list Wednesday due to a right pectoral strain.05/08
- OutTim Elko (1B) — Elko (knee) agreed to a minor-league contract with the White Sox on Sunday, Jack Ankony of SI.com reports.05/08
- 60-Day-ILMike Vasil (RP) — The White Sox transferred Vasil (elbow) from the 15-day injured list to the 60-day IL on Tuesday.05/08
- 60-Day-ILTanner Murray (LF) — The White Sox transferred Murray (shoulder) to the 60-day injured list Monday.05/08
- 60-Day-ILBrooks Baldwin (LF) — The White Sox transferred Baldwin (elbow) from the 10-day injured list to the 60-day IL on Wednesday.05/08
- 60-Day-ILKy Bush (SP) — The White Sox placed Bush (elbow) on the 60-day injured list Feb. 10.05/08
- 60-Day-ILPrelander Berroa (RP) — The White Sox transferred Berroa (elbow) to the 60-day injured list Saturday.05/08
- 60-Day-ILDrew Thorpe (SP) — Thorpe (elbow) has thrown seven bullpen sessions as part of his rehab process, MLB.com reports.05/08
Bottom line: if Castillo finds the version of himself that showed up in March, the Mariners coast. If he's the guy from April, this becomes a slugfest at Rate Field, and that favors nobody who bet the under.