The price is moving back a good bit here on the 6th strikeout for Taj Bradley this afternoon and I'm backing him to get it done as he did last time for us. The White Sox are rolling with a lefty heavy lineup, which is the better side for Bradley's strikeouts, and it allows him to lean more on his best pitch, the splitter. That pitch has a 57% whiff rate vs. left handed batters this year, and he's able to spread the strikeouts around among three pitches vs. lefties. The fastball, splitter, and curveball combo should be able to do damage against a White Sox lineup that's come in with a K rate near 30% on right handed splitters this year.
FanDuel (1.5u). Taj Bradley has cleared this line in seven of ten starts this season, and he gets an ideal opponent today. Not only do the White Sox strikeout a lot: 24% against righties this season; but the South-Siders are also starting seven lefties in the lineup today. Bradley strikes out southpaws at a 32% clip, while holding them to a .190 average (.196 xBA). In a day, getaway game, I love Bradley enough to go 1.5 units on this.
The White Sox are just different away and without Munetaka Murakami as they are about to be swept in the Twin Cities. Today's lineup leaves a lot to be desired in a getaway game. Erick Fedde has been the weak link of the rotation at 0-5 with a 5.40 ERA, and his road splits are horrendous. Counterpart Taj Bradley has a 2.33 home ERA. Minny isn't very good overall but 17-14 at Target Field. Looks like all the Twins' regulars are in. Since 2020, nobody in baseball has homered more against the White Sox than Minnesota's Byron Buxton (17).
Urquidy gave up one hit over a scoreless inning of relief in Thursday's 6-2 loss to the Astros.
Fedde is slated to start Friday's game against the Twins at Rate Field, James Fegan of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.
The White Sox optioned Romo to Triple-A Charlotte on Friday.
The White Sox activated Teel (ankle) from the 10-day injured list Friday.
Castillo (4-11) took the loss Thursday against the Astros, allowing six runs on six hits and two walks over four innings. He struck out three.
Ryan (glute) struck out four batters and allowed one earned run on one hit and no walks across three innings in a rehab start Tuesday with Triple-A St. Paul.
Gilbert cleared waivers Thursday and was sent outright to Triple-A Charlotte, James Fegan of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.
Romo is absent from the lineup for Thursday's contest in Houston.
Martin allowed five hits and a walk while striking out three over 5.2 scoreless innings in a no-decision versus the Astros on Wednesday.
Peters went 2-for-3 with a triple and a stolen base in Wednesday's 2-0 loss to the Astros.
