GAME # 2 OF DOUBLEHEADER
Preview: Reds (14-14) at White Sox (10-15)
Game: 2
Venue: U.S. Cellular Field
Date: May 09, 2015 7:10 PM EDT
Carlos Rodon's highly anticipated first major league start will take place as scheduled Saturday but will now serve as the finale to a doubleheader after the Chicago White Sox's series opener against the Cincinnati Reds was rained out.
In the opener, Reds right-hander Johnny Cueto will try to continue his success in interleague play while Joey Votto serves a one-game suspension.
Rodon, the No. 3 pick in the 2014 draft, is getting a start because Jeff Samardzija is serving a five-game suspension for his part in a brawl April 23 against Kansas City. Even if the prized prospect pitches well, White Sox manager Robin Ventura said the left-hander might still head back to the bullpen.
"There's no guarantees that he's gonna stay in the rotation even if he has a good game," Ventura said. "I expect him to have a good game. The way it sits right now he would still be back in the bullpen and getting us some innings there."
Rodon (0-0, 2.84 ERA) has made three appearances since being called up from the minors April 20 and tossed three scoreless innings in his latest one last Saturday in Minnesota.
First, the White Sox (10-15) will try to hand Cueto a rare loss against an AL opponent. The Reds starter is 12-5 with a 2.48 ERA in 23 career interleague starts, giving him the most wins by an NL pitcher since the start of the 2008 season. He did not get a decision in his only start against the White Sox on June 20, 2009.
Cueto (2-3, 2.72) is coming off his least effective outing of this season, a 5-0 loss in Atlanta on Sunday. He gave up five runs - three in the first inning - and nine hits in a season-low six innings after recording a 1.95 ERA in his first five starts.
Votto will miss the first game because he made contact with home plate umpire Chris Conroy in Thursday's 3-0 win in Pittsburgh. The first baseman is batting .311 with seven homers and 18 RBIs in 28 games.
"I want to be back as soon as possible to help the team, and missing ... the fewer the games, the better," he said. "But I do feel like I have to pay a price for my actions."
Zack Cozart, batting .304 with five homers and 12 RBIs, might end a three-game absence for Cincinnati (14-14) because of wrist and hand injuries. Devin Mesoraco (hip) could return to the starting lineup for the first time since April 11 but likely as a designated hitter.
Jason Marquis (3-1, 5.22), who has been the beneficiary of a combined 28 runs of support in his prior three starts, will seek a fourth consecutive win in the finale.
The veteran right-hander gave up three runs in 6 1-3 innings in an 8-4 win in Atlanta last Saturday. He's 2-1 with a 9.00 ERA in four career starts versus the White Sox with the most recent June 21, 2008.
In the opening game, Chicago right-hander Hector Noesi (0-3, 6.75) will seek to snap a six-start losing streak that dates to Sept. 14. He gave up five runs in 4 1-3 innings in a 5-3 loss at Minnesota last Saturday and will make his first start against Cincinnati.
He was 1-1 with a 2.65 ERA in three interleague starts in 2014.
SERIES AT A GLANCE
GAME 1
Reds at White Sox
Fri, May 8 - 8:10PM EDT
GAME 2
Reds at White Sox
Sat, May 9 - 7:40PM EDT
GAME 3
Reds at White Sox
Sun, May 10 - 2:10PM EDT
Preview: Reds (14-14) at White Sox (10-15)
Game: 2
Venue: U.S. Cellular Field
Date: May 09, 2015 7:10 PM EDT
Carlos Rodon's highly anticipated first major league start will take place as scheduled Saturday but will now serve as the finale to a doubleheader after the Chicago White Sox's series opener against the Cincinnati Reds was rained out.
In the opener, Reds right-hander Johnny Cueto will try to continue his success in interleague play while Joey Votto serves a one-game suspension.
Rodon, the No. 3 pick in the 2014 draft, is getting a start because Jeff Samardzija is serving a five-game suspension for his part in a brawl April 23 against Kansas City. Even if the prized prospect pitches well, White Sox manager Robin Ventura said the left-hander might still head back to the bullpen.
"There's no guarantees that he's gonna stay in the rotation even if he has a good game," Ventura said. "I expect him to have a good game. The way it sits right now he would still be back in the bullpen and getting us some innings there."
Rodon (0-0, 2.84 ERA) has made three appearances since being called up from the minors April 20 and tossed three scoreless innings in his latest one last Saturday in Minnesota.
First, the White Sox (10-15) will try to hand Cueto a rare loss against an AL opponent. The Reds starter is 12-5 with a 2.48 ERA in 23 career interleague starts, giving him the most wins by an NL pitcher since the start of the 2008 season. He did not get a decision in his only start against the White Sox on June 20, 2009.
Cueto (2-3, 2.72) is coming off his least effective outing of this season, a 5-0 loss in Atlanta on Sunday. He gave up five runs - three in the first inning - and nine hits in a season-low six innings after recording a 1.95 ERA in his first five starts.
Votto will miss the first game because he made contact with home plate umpire Chris Conroy in Thursday's 3-0 win in Pittsburgh. The first baseman is batting .311 with seven homers and 18 RBIs in 28 games.
"I want to be back as soon as possible to help the team, and missing ... the fewer the games, the better," he said. "But I do feel like I have to pay a price for my actions."
Zack Cozart, batting .304 with five homers and 12 RBIs, might end a three-game absence for Cincinnati (14-14) because of wrist and hand injuries. Devin Mesoraco (hip) could return to the starting lineup for the first time since April 11 but likely as a designated hitter.
Jason Marquis (3-1, 5.22), who has been the beneficiary of a combined 28 runs of support in his prior three starts, will seek a fourth consecutive win in the finale.
The veteran right-hander gave up three runs in 6 1-3 innings in an 8-4 win in Atlanta last Saturday. He's 2-1 with a 9.00 ERA in four career starts versus the White Sox with the most recent June 21, 2008.
In the opening game, Chicago right-hander Hector Noesi (0-3, 6.75) will seek to snap a six-start losing streak that dates to Sept. 14. He gave up five runs in 4 1-3 innings in a 5-3 loss at Minnesota last Saturday and will make his first start against Cincinnati.
He was 1-1 with a 2.65 ERA in three interleague starts in 2014.
SERIES AT A GLANCE
GAME 1
Reds at White Sox
Fri, May 8 - 8:10PM EDT
GAME 2
Reds at White Sox
Sat, May 9 - 7:40PM EDT
GAME 3
Reds at White Sox
Sun, May 10 - 2:10PM EDT
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