First pitch is 12:35 PM CT (1:35 PM ET) and the matchup on paper could not be more lopsided. Aaron Nola (3-4, 5.55) goes for Philly against Tyler Gilbert, the lefty Chicago is using as an opener — Gilbert was actually a Phillie until earlier this season, so this is a quick reunion in the worst possible building for him.
The market sees the obvious mismatch and shrugs it off as a coin flip with a tilt. Phillies sit at -165 on the moneyline with a 9.5 total, which feels light when you remember Nola has actually been pitching better — 4 earned in his last 11 innings and three straight starts without a walk, including 8 punchouts over 5 against the Padres on June 2. The narrative says he is starting to look like Aaron Nola again.
The White Sox are the more interesting team here, weirdly. They are 34-30, dead even with Philadelphia in the standings, and they just bullied the Phillies 6-3 on Friday behind Jacob Gonzalez's first career home run. They are also banged up everywhere — Murakami, Hays, Pereira, Teel, Schultz all on the shelf — and still showing up. Will Venable has this group competing.
- Day-To-DayMason Adams RP — The White Sox announced that Adams underwent successful Tommy John surgery Wednesday, Scott Merkin of MLB.com reports.
- 10-Day-ILEverson Pereira RF — Pereira (pectoral) will begin a rehab assignment with Triple-A Charlotte on Friday, Scott Merkin of MLB.com reports.
- 10-Day-ILMunetaka Murakami 1B — White Sox manager Will Venable said Monday that Murakami (hamstring) stayed back in Chicago during the team's road trip and was given a platelet-rich plasma injection, James Fegan of SoxMachine.com reports.
- 10-Day-ILAustin Hays LF — Hays has been pulled off his rehab assignment at Triple-A Charlotte due to a recurrence of left calf soreness, Scott Merkin of MLB.com reports.
- 15-Day-ILNoah Schultz SP — White Sox manager Will Venable said Wednesday that Schultz (knee) remains sore and isn't ready to throw a bullpen session, James Fegan of SoxMachine.com reports.
- 15-Day-ILJordan Hicks RP — Hicks was placed on the 15-day injured list Saturday with a right lat strain.
- 60-Day-ILKyle Teel C — Teel (hamstring) has begun hitting off a tee and doing catching drills, MLB.com reports.
- 60-Day-ILJordan Leasure RP — Leasure (forearm) said Friday that he will be shut down from throwing for four weeks, James Fegan of SoxMachine.com reports.
- Day-To-DayCarson DeMartini SS
- Day-To-DayBryan Rincon SS — The Phillies promoted Rincon from Single-A Clearwater to High-A Jersey Shore on Aug. 15.
- Day-To-DayRene Pinto C — Pinto (undisclosed) began a rehab assignment Monday, Kristie Ackert of the Tampa Bay Times reports.
- Day-To-DayDaniel Robert RP — Robert suffered a cardiac incident Sunday while preparing to throw a bullpen session and was taken to a local hospital, Matt Gelb of The Athletic reports.
- Day-To-DayMark Kolozsvary C — Kolozsvary (undisclosed) agreed to a minor-league contract with the Phillies on Friday that includes an invitation to spring training, Will Sammon of The Athletic reports.
- 15-Day-ILKyle Backhus RP — Backhus (elbow) played catch Wednesday, MLB.com reports.
- suspensionJohan Rojas CF — Rojas (shoulder) is starting in center field and batting leadoff in Thursday's Grapefruit League contest against Atlanta, Lochlahn March of The Philadelphia Inquirer reports.
The path for Chicago is to grind Nola's pitch count early, get into the Phillies' middle relief by the 5th, and hope Gilbert plus a parade of arms can navigate Bryce Harper and Trea Turner three times through. The path for Philly is simpler: Nola does Nola things, the lineup does what the lineup does at home, you cash the -165 and move on.
Lean: the Phillies should win this game and probably will. But after Saturday, you cannot tell me the White Sox staff is scared of the room. Live dog energy with the under 9.5 if Nola's command is real.