None of it has slowed Chicago's offense, which has been running near the top of the American League in runs per game even as the pitching staff absorbs one hit after another. New York, meanwhile, is deep into the Andy Green era after firing Carlos Mendoza in June, and the interim tag fits: this is a team playing out a lost season while the front office sorts out who's actually running things in 2027.
The Mets' bullpen has taken the bigger hit of the two. Closer Devin Williams landed on the 15-day IL with a shoulder strain the club has called minor, and lefty Cionel Pérez isn't expected back before September with a forearm issue — combine that with Reed Garrett and Tylor Megill already gone for the year, and New York is piecing together high-leverage innings on the fly. The White Sox have their own issue up the middle of the roster, but at least their offense has been able to cover for it.
These two also meet again on August 22, the middle game of this set, before Sunday's series-closer at 1:10 PM CT — so however Chicago's four-game AL Central cushion looks entering the weekend, it's worth remembering there's still baseball to be played first. What's not in question is the shape of each club: one chasing October, one auditioning arms for next year, with McLean as the one name in this series both fan bases can agree is worth watching.