TL;DR The Chicago White Sox face the Los Angeles Angels tonight, aiming to improve their record to .500 after a recent shutout win. Erick Fedde starts for the White Sox, while Sam Aldegheri makes his season debut for the Angels.
Miguel Vargas is slashing .313/.377/.642 with a 1.014 OPS and four homers in the last two weeks. | (Rhona Wise/Imagn Images)
Miguel Vargas is slashing .313/.377/.642 with a 1.014 OPS and four homers in the last two weeks. | (Rhona Wise/Imagn Images)
After a convincing shutout win behind Davis Martin to open up the series in Los Angeles , the White Sox have a chance to bring their record to .500 with another W tonight. The overall vibe with this team, who is playing like they have nothing to lose and everything to gain, has been contagious across the organization and fan base. Itās been a while since the South Siders have reminded us how much fun the game of baseball can be, and the energy that has been injected into the dugout is a perfect encapsulation of that.
Making his fifth start of the season (seventh appearance), Erick Fedde will make his second consecutive start against the Angels following a strong seven-inning performance last week. There is something about the South Side of Chicago that brings out a different side of Fedde, because heās been excellent this year and has outperformed expectations to be just an āinnings eaterā for the second time now with the Sox. In 33 1/3 frames, the righty has posted a 3.24 ERA alongside an efficient 1.050 WHIP. FanGraphs also has him at a 3.32 xERA, suggesting heās not simply benefiting from āgood luck,ā and that his elevated 4.94 FIP may be misleading, as Fedde has managed contact better than expected. In 2025, his hard-hit percentage against opponents was in the 31st percentile (AKA blue on Statcast), and he has improved that by 100% thus far in 2026, into the 62nd percentile and further into the red. Does he have Cy Young-type stuff? No. Is he helpful while we develop these younger arms in the minors? Yes, yes, he is.
While Fedde wonāt have the benefit of on offense today, as he takes a rest day, heāll depend on the youth core to score some runs. has shifted back into the leadoff spot with Miguel Vargas and following him up as the power punch in Tuesdayās lineup. Joining the starting nine for the first time since being signed to a one-year deal on Monday to help fill in some of the outfield holes, Randall Grichuk is making his debut start with the White Sox, playing right field and batting fourth. Grichuk is deeper into his career, but is an experienced outfielder with above-average power potential. He hasnāt put up the best numbers this year (.194/.212/.323 in 33 plate appearances with the ), but has a career .761 OPS and has so far had a successful 12-year career in MLB.
**Chicago White Sox Lineup:**
Likely wishing not to be terrorized on the mound as his teammate JosĆ© Soriano was, lefthander is making his first start of the season for the Angels. Heās bounced up and down from the minors this year, and so far, heās tossed just 1 2/3 innings this season. Aldegheri allowed two hits, including a home run, and struck out two and walked one in his first game. In 28ā
career innings, heās posted a 6.35 ERA and an unsightly 2.047 WHIP. Aldegheriās career 14.2% walk rate certainly hasnāt helped his case, which makes this an even more unfortunate day for Murakami to be taking a day off, but as a team, the South Siders hold a 10.3 BB%, so maybe theyāll still be able to take advantage.
The Los Angeles offense was quiet last night, but there are still a few batters that pose a threat, including , , and . Both Trout and Grissom have previously homered off Fedde and have the highest OPS on the team.
**Los Angeles Lineup**:
Tonightās game is another late one, with first pitch taking place at 8:38 p.m. CT, which is very specific. Tune in to CHSN tonight or listen to the radio broadcast on ESPN AM 1000. If nothing else, perhaps a Mune pinch-hit bomb? The journey to .500 is back on.