Other than Sale is 1) returning from a five-day suspension after going Edward Scissorhands on Sox uniforms; 2) facing the cross-town rival Cubs; and 3) the subject of trade-deadline rumors (as he has been for weeks).
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Chapman had 20 saves in 21 chances this season with the Yankees before the Cubs acquired the hard-throwing lefty on Monday for a package of prospects. Miami’s Dee Gordon, the 2015 NL batting and stolen bases champion, returned from an 80-game suspension for failing a drug test and went 0-for-4. He had command issues but mostly worked out of trouble. He batted.143 with one RBI and four runs in 14 games over three stints with the White Sox previously this season. The Cubs tweeted out their lineup before the game with the line “Throwback Thursday, anyone?”
He hugged teammates Dioner Navarro and Matt Albers, then did a lap around the clubhouse, greeting each player sitting at his locker.
“I think it’s going to be fine”, manager Robin Ventura said, via the Chicago Tribune.
Pitching coach Don Cooper offered unequivocal support for Sale.
“He’s a passionate guy about a lot of different things”, Cooper said.
“Some mistakes are bigger than others, but you’ve got to understand we’re all not ideal”, Frazier said. “I know there has been some reticence or pushback regarding him to this point; however, understand where he’s coming from right now”.
“I’m trying to build a relationship with this guy so he starts trusting me”, Maddon said. INF Carlos Sanchez was recalled from Triple-A Charlotte.
Cubs: With OF Jorge Soler (hamstring) close to returning, the team will have a hard roster decision.
After trading away prized closer Aroldis Chapman, the New York Yankees look to overcome a big loss with a big addition in Chris Sale. In his only start after the break, he tossed eight innings of one-hit ball at Seattle – and exited with a 3-0 lead – but closer David Robertson allowed four runs the in the ninth.
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RHP Anthony Ranaudo (1-1) made his first career appearance with the White Sox and held the Cubs hitless for 5 1/3 innings before allowing a solo home run by 3B Kris Bryant. In his last six starts, Lackey has a 6.38 ERA.
