The buzz around the Crosstown Cup might not be reaching Will Venable, but that doesn’t mean he’s not dialed in. When asked about the Cubs, Venable shifted focus, emphasizing the task at hand: “It’s the Royals tonight, and it’s about us anyway.
Our focus is on us and our ability to go out there and play hard and execute the things we want to execute.” It’s clear that Venable is all about the here and now, focusing on his team’s immediate goals rather than external rivalries.
But when it comes to the team’s journey to hit the .500 mark, Venable’s enthusiasm is palpable. Reflecting on the team’s early struggles, he noted, “After a bad start, just getting the group together and on the same page, how we want to go about our business.” The significance of reaching .500 is not lost on him, yet he maintains a level-headed approach: “Certainly being .500 is significant as we’ve been trying to scratch and claw to get there, but we’ve got a long way to go.”
As for the AL Central race, Venable remains unfazed by the standings at this early stage. “Teams go on runs, it’s early here,” he said.
With only a handful of games against divisional opponents under their belt, Venable is more focused on the long haul than the current leaderboard. “We’ve got a long way to go and we’re excited that no one has run off with it yet.
Just got to keep doing our thing.”
In the midst of this, the White Sox have been making waves at home. Their recent victory brought their home record to a respectable 10-9, a promising sign as they aim to improve their standing at Rate Field. This resurgence at home is a breath of fresh air, considering they haven’t posted a winning home record since 2021.
Drew Romo is making headlines too, becoming the fourth White Sox player in the expansion era to have his first five hits of a season go for extra bases. Joining the ranks of Jake Burger, Frank Thomas, and Robin Ventura, Romo is proving to be a formidable force. He’s set to start again, marking his consistency in the lineup.
Derek Hill is also making his mark with two pinch-hit home runs this season, tying the team with the Tigers for the most in baseball. It’s a testament to the depth and versatility of the White Sox roster.
On the injury front, Prelander Berroa is making strides in his recovery from Tommy John surgery, starting a rehab assignment. Meanwhile, Kyle Teel is itching to get back on the field, expressing confidence in his recovery and readiness to play.
The bullpen is showcasing its depth as well. Davis Martin’s comments on Seranthony Domínguez and Bryan Hudson’s roles highlight the team’s flexible approach. “It’s not always going to be the same guy every time,” Martin remarked, emphasizing the importance of team sacrifice and adaptability.
As the White Sox prepare to face the Royals, here’s how the lineups stack up:
Royals Lineup: 1.
Maikel Garcia, 3B 2.
Bobby Witt Jr., SS 3.
Lane Thomas, CF 4.
Salvador Perez, DH 5.
Nick Loftin, 2B 6.
Vinnie Pasquantino, 1B 7.
Starlin Marte, RF 8.
Isaac Collins, LF 9.
Elias Díaz, C
- SP: Seth Lugo
White Sox Lineup: 1.
Sam Antonacci, LF 2.
Munetaka Murakami, 1B 3.
Miguel Vargas, 3B 4.
Colson Montgomery, SS 5.
Chase Meidroth, 2B 6.
Andrew Benintendi, DH 7.
Jarred Kelenic, RF 8.
Tristan Peters, CF 9.
Drew Romo, C
- SP: Noah Schultz
Catch the action on CHSN or tune in to ESPN 1000 AM and 107.9 La Ley for Spanish commentary. The White Sox are ready to take the field, and fans are eager to see if their momentum continues.
