Sports
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White Sox's Smith Debuts as Twins Struggle, 0-4
White Sox Rule 5 Pick Shane Smith Makes MLB Debut Against Struggling Twins
CHICAGO – The Chicago White Sox will host the Minnesota Twins Tuesday evening for the second game of their three-game series, marking the major league debut of Rule 5 draft pick Shane Smith. The right-hander, acquired from the Milwaukee Brewers, will take the mound for the White Sox, who are currently 2-2 after a 9-0 shutout victory over the Twins on Monday. Smith impressed during spring training, posting a 3.38 ERA in 10 2/3 innings, striking out 10 batters while holding opponents to a .143 batting average. His fastball consistently sits in the mid-90s, reaching 97-98 mph.
The Twins, meanwhile, are off to a dismal 0-4 start, sporting a major league-worst .143 batting average and a .436 on-base plus slugging (OPS) percentage. Shortstop Carlos Correa expressed concern about the team's collective performance, stating, “It’s not about losing the games, it’s about the way we’re playing collectively right now. We’ve got to get better.” The Twins' Opening Day payroll, estimated at $144.3 million, ranked 18th in baseball. Despite their struggles, the Twins announced that KMSP Fox 9 will broadcast 10 Tuesday night games this season, beginning April 15th against the Mets.
For the White Sox, the starting pitching has been a bright spot in the early going. All four starters – Sean Burke, Jonathan Cannon, Davis Martin, and Martín Pérez – have pitched scoreless outings, a feat only accomplished four times in MLB history, and not since 2019. Pérez's six no-hit innings on Monday included a career-high nine strikeouts. Smith will look to continue this strong pitching performance.
On the opposing side, Simeon Woods Richardson will make his first start of the season for Minnesota. In his rookie year, Richardson posted a 4.17 ERA and 1.29 WHIP over 133 2/3 innings, striking out 117 batters. While Twins outfielder Willi Castro has shined early, hitting .357/.400/.786, slugger Byron Buxton is struggling at .077, and Correa is yet to record a hit. The game will be played at Rate Field (formerly Guaranteed Rate Field) and is scheduled for 6:40 p.m. CT.
CHICAGO – The Chicago White Sox will host the Minnesota Twins Tuesday evening for the second game of their three-game series, marking the major league debut of Rule 5 draft pick Shane Smith. The right-hander, acquired from the Milwaukee Brewers, will take the mound for the White Sox, who are currently 2-2 after a 9-0 shutout victory over the Twins on Monday. Smith impressed during spring training, posting a 3.38 ERA in 10 2/3 innings, striking out 10 batters while holding opponents to a .143 batting average. His fastball consistently sits in the mid-90s, reaching 97-98 mph.
The Twins, meanwhile, are off to a dismal 0-4 start, sporting a major league-worst .143 batting average and a .436 on-base plus slugging (OPS) percentage. Shortstop Carlos Correa expressed concern about the team's collective performance, stating, “It’s not about losing the games, it’s about the way we’re playing collectively right now. We’ve got to get better.” The Twins' Opening Day payroll, estimated at $144.3 million, ranked 18th in baseball. Despite their struggles, the Twins announced that KMSP Fox 9 will broadcast 10 Tuesday night games this season, beginning April 15th against the Mets.
For the White Sox, the starting pitching has been a bright spot in the early going. All four starters – Sean Burke, Jonathan Cannon, Davis Martin, and Martín Pérez – have pitched scoreless outings, a feat only accomplished four times in MLB history, and not since 2019. Pérez's six no-hit innings on Monday included a career-high nine strikeouts. Smith will look to continue this strong pitching performance.
On the opposing side, Simeon Woods Richardson will make his first start of the season for Minnesota. In his rookie year, Richardson posted a 4.17 ERA and 1.29 WHIP over 133 2/3 innings, striking out 117 batters. While Twins outfielder Willi Castro has shined early, hitting .357/.400/.786, slugger Byron Buxton is struggling at .077, and Correa is yet to record a hit. The game will be played at Rate Field (formerly Guaranteed Rate Field) and is scheduled for 6:40 p.m. CT.
