Baltimore Orioles series preview vs the White Sox

After winning the second series of the homestand against the Colorado Rockies, the Baltimore Orioles end both the homestand and the month of August with a three game series against the Chicago White Sox, who have long been out of playoff contention.

Baltimore Orioles wrap up homestand with series against White Sox

KNOW YOUR OPPONENT

If they didn't play in the AL Central with the Kansas City Royals, the White Sox would be a last place team, with everything that was able to go wrong having gone wrong this season. They have won two games in a row, rallying to split the series with the Oakland A's over the weekend.

In their last 10 games, the White Sox are 4-6, entering this series with a -146 run differential and a 52-79 record. They haven't won a series since early August, when they took two of three from the New York Yankees.

SEASON SERIES

The Orioles and White Sox met in Chicago early in the season for three games in April. The Orioles won the first game 6-3 and the final game 8-4 to take the series, with the White Sox mixing in a 7-6 win in the middle game.

PITCHING PROBABLES

Monday, 8/28: Michael Kopech vs Grayson Rodriguez

Kopech, in just his second season as a full time starter, goes for the White Sox to open the series. He's had a rocky year, posting a 4.95 ERA, 6.52 FIP, and 1.492 WHIP. He's averaged a whopping 2.1 home runs per nine, six walks per nine, and 9.2 strikeouts per nine in 120 innings and 24 starts. This is a pitcher that the Orioles can absolutely light up with their potent offense.

The flamethrowing Rodriguez gets the ball for the Orioles to open the series. He faced the White Sox back in April, getting a no decision after allowing four runs on six hits and two walks over five innings, striking out eight hitters.

He enters this start on five days rest, last pitching six innings of three run ball on August 22 against the Blue Jays. He has a 5.38 ERA, 4.62 FIP, and 1.425 WHIP on the season, averaging 9.4 strikeouts per nine and 3.5 walks per nine in 17 starts and 87 innings.

Tuesday, 8/29: Jesse Scholtens vs Dean Kremer

The middle game will feature Scholtens on the bump for the White Sox. The 29 year old is in the midst of his first season in the bigs, posting a 4.15 ERA, 4.91 FIP, and 1.323 WHIP, averaging 1.4 home runs per nine, three walks per nine, and 6.4 strikeouts per nine in 65 innings across 7 starts and 21 total appearances.

Kremer gets the ball in the middle game for the Orioles. He's been an enigmatic pitcher this season, posting a great performance followed by an equally poor one. He's made just one start against the White Sox in his career, pitching 5 2/3 shutout innings with four strikeouts.

On the season, Kremer has a 4.31 ERA, 4.73 FIP, and 1.292 WHIP, averaging 1.6 home runs per nine and 8.1 strikeouts per nine in 144 innings and 26 starts. His last start was a great one, pitching six shutout innings with five strikeouts against the Blue Jays.

Wednesday, 8/30: Dylan Cease vs Kyle Gibson

Dylan Cease, a name connected to the Orioles in trade talks at the deadline, starts the finale. He enters this start with a 4.81 ERA, 3.77 FIP, and 1.461 WHIP through 142 1/3 innings and 27 starts. He misses bats as evidenced by an average of 10.7 strikeouts per nine, but is also prone to walking hitters, averaging 4.3 walks per nine.

The veteran Gibson, who has been a big part of the success of the Orioles, starts in the finale. He saved the bullpen with eight gutsy innings in his last start, allowing three runs but keeping his pitch count low enough to strike out eight and go eight innings against the Blue Jays on Thursday night.

Against the White Sox in April, Gibson allowed four runs on seven hits and two walks in 5 1/3 innings, with the Orioles losing that game. So far this season, Gibson has a 4.89 ERA, 3.84 FIP, and 1.320 WHIP over 158 1/3 innings and a team leading 27 starts.

This series is another good opportunity for the Orioles to keep the Rays off their back and end August on a high note ahead of the roster expansion to begin September. Once the calendar flips, the real fun begins. Let's play ball!