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Arizona Diamondbacks Series Preview # 8 : Diamondbacks vs White Sox
TL;DR
The Arizona Diamondbacks are projected to outperform the Chicago White Sox in their upcoming series, with advantages in offense, defense, and bullpen performance. Key players include Munetaka Murakami for the White Sox and Merrill Kelly for the Diamondbacks.
Key points
- Diamondbacks projected to win more games than White Sox
- Diamondbacks have better offense, defense, and bullpen
- Munetaka Murakami is a key player for the White Sox
- Pitching matchups favor the Diamondbacks
- Series starts on Tuesday at 6:40 PM MST
Arizona DiamondbacksChicago White Sox
- *Offense.* This season through 17 April, the Diamondbacks averaged one more run scored per game (4.45 vs 3.45).
- *Defense.* The Diamondbacks are better by a wide margin (Outs above average, OAA +2 vs negative 5, Defensive Runs Saved, DRS +14 vs negative 7).
- *Bullpen.* This season through 19 April, shutdown performances by the Diamondbacks bullpen were more than double the White Sox bullpen (33 vs 16).
- *Starting Pitcher Matchups.* The Diamondbacks have an overall edge: first game is clear advantage D-backs (Kelly vs Burke), second game is slight edge D-backs (Rodriguez vs Kay), and third game is equal (Soroka vs Martin).
**White Sox Player to Watch.**
Munetaka Murakami is a player worth watching. *Power Batter.* He hit 7 home runs in his first 21 MLB games, which was 2 more than Ohtani hit in his first 21 MLB games as a batter. In the most recent six games through 18 April, Murakami hit 1.325 OPS with 7 RBIs. *First Baseman.* He played 8 seasons in Japan before this season. He is a rookie in MLB. In Japan, he started his career primarily at first base until 2021 when he became primarily a third baseman. This season, in spring training and the regular season he played at first base. *White Sox.* He was asked why the White Sox. Per his translator, this is what he said: “I feel there are a lot of exciting young players here. Just as I played when my career panned out in Japan, I went to a team that was very young and we got to the promised land of winning a championship there. And I kind of feel something similar here. And I feel like I’m destined to be here.” — The batting lineup of the White Sox has 6 of 9 players 25.0 years old or younger. Munetaka is 26.2 years old.
Q&A
What are the Diamondbacks' strengths against the White Sox?
The Diamondbacks have advantages in offense, defense, bullpen performance, and starting pitcher matchups.
Who is Munetaka Murakami and why is he important for the White Sox?
Munetaka Murakami is a rookie first baseman who has hit 7 home runs in his first 21 MLB games, making him a key player to watch.
What are the pitching matchups for the Diamondbacks vs White Sox series?
The series features Merrill Kelly, Eduardo Rodriguez, and Michael Soroka for the Diamondbacks, and Sean Burke, Anthony Kay, and Davis Martin for the White Sox.
How do the Diamondbacks and White Sox compare in projected wins?
FanGraphs projects the Diamondbacks to win 82 games, while the White Sox are projected to win only 68 games.
