The bigger issue for the Angels is who is actually available to throw a baseball. Kikuchi is shut down for 3 to 4 weeks with a shoulder. Grayson Rodriguez is still building back up in the complex league. Ryan Johnson is on a rehab assignment at Single-A. Alek Manoah is also rehabbing — and his last rehab outing went 4.1 innings, 6 runs, 7 hits. That's not exactly a green light. The starting depth is whoever can throw strikes and stand up the next morning.
- Day-To-DayMason Adams (RP) — The White Sox announced that Adams underwent successful Tommy John surgery Wednesday, Scott Merkin of MLB.com reports.05/08
- 10-Day-ILKyle Teel (C) — Teel (hamstring) will run the bases this weekend before beginning a rehab assignment next week if all goes well, Scott Merkin of MLB.com reports.05/08
- 10-Day-ILAustin Hays (LF) — The White Sox placed Hays on the 10-day injured list, retroactive to Saturday, due to a left calf strain.05/08
- 10-Day-ILEverson Pereira (RF) — The White Sox placed Pereira on the 10-day injured list Wednesday due to a right pectoral strain.05/08
- OutTim Elko (1B) — Elko (knee) agreed to a minor-league contract with the White Sox on Sunday, Jack Ankony of SI.com reports.05/08
- 60-Day-ILMike Vasil (RP) — The White Sox transferred Vasil (elbow) from the 15-day injured list to the 60-day IL on Tuesday.05/08
- 60-Day-ILTanner Murray (LF) — The White Sox transferred Murray (shoulder) to the 60-day injured list Monday.05/08
- 60-Day-ILBrooks Baldwin (LF) — The White Sox transferred Baldwin (elbow) from the 10-day injured list to the 60-day IL on Wednesday.05/08
- 60-Day-ILKy Bush (SP) — The White Sox placed Bush (elbow) on the 60-day injured list Feb. 10.05/08
- 60-Day-ILPrelander Berroa (RP) — The White Sox transferred Berroa (elbow) to the 60-day injured list Saturday.05/08
- 60-Day-ILDrew Thorpe (SP) — Thorpe (elbow) has thrown seven bullpen sessions as part of his rehab process, MLB.com reports.05/08
- Day-To-DayTravis d'Arnaud (C) — D'Arnaud is not in the lineup Tuesday versus the White Sox.05/06
- 10-Day-ILLogan O'Hoppe (C) — O'Hoppe (wrist) played catch Saturday, per MLB.com.05/03
- 15-Day-ILGrayson Rodriguez (SP) — Rodriguez (shoulder) is scheduled to throw up to five innings during a rehab start in the rookie-level Arizona Complex League on Tuesday, Rhett Bollinger of MLB.com reports.05/05
- 15-Day-ILYusei Kikuchi (SP) — Kikuchi (shoulder) will be shut down from throwing for 3-to-4 weeks, Alden Gonzalez of ESPN.com reports.05/05
- 15-Day-ILRyan Johnson (SP) — Johnson (hamstring/illness) will begin a rehab assignment at Single-A Rancho Cucamonga on Sunday, Rhett Bollinger of MLB.com reports.05/02
- 15-Day-ILBen Joyce (RP) — Joyce (shoulder) will begin a rehab assignment at Single-A Rancho Cucamonga on Wednesday, Taylor Blake Ward of TheSportingTribune.com reports.04/29
- 60-Day-ILRobert Stephenson (RP) — The Angels announced that Stephenson underwent ligament and flexor repair surgery on his right elbow Wednesday and is likely to miss the remainder of the season, Rhett Bollinger of MLB.com reports.04/08
- 60-Day-ILAnthony Rendon (3B) — The Angels placed Rendon (hip) on the 60-day injured list Tuesday.03/25
On top of the rotation problems, the lineup is short Logan O'Hoppe (wrist) and Anthony Rendon is on the 60-day IL again. Rendon being shelved is its own running joke at this point, but the O'Hoppe absence is the one that actually moves the needle. He is the guy you want hitting in the middle of the order against a Chicago staff that is, frankly, beatable.
The market does not believe in the Angels here even at home. Pinnacle has the moneyline pick'em-ish at -107/-101, and DraftKings is shading the White Sox to -112. The total sits at 9, which is a fair number given how shaky both pitching staffs have looked. The DK splits are the part that stands out — 83% of moneyline handle is on Chicago. The public and the sharps are on the same side, which doesn't happen every day.
First pitch is 3:07 PM local. The White Sox have shown a pulse with Colson Montgomery, Andrew Benintendi, and Gavin Sheets carrying the offense, and they walked in here with a clear edge in starting pitching health. Until the Angels prove they can stack at-bats against a non-elite arm, it is hard to talk yourself into the home side. Mike Trout is going to have to do something heroic, again.