Overview
- Nick Martinez allowed six runs and four home runs over six innings in the series opener, a game the White Sox won 6-1 on Friday night.
- Chicago’s victory cut into Tampa Bay’s lead after the Rays entered the series with the American League’s best record and a major-league-high 40 home wins.
- Rays starter Shane McClanahan left the previous outing with left mid-back tightness and rookie Alex Cook made his major-league debut in relief on Friday.
- Trade activity has picked up with AJ Minter reported moved to the Twins and fewer than three days remaining until Monday’s 6 p.m. deadline, increasing pressure on Tampa Bay to add pitching depth.
- The White Sox arrived in St. Petersburg riding a surge of late-inning wins, including back-to-back extra-inning victories over the Yankees, and now carry momentum into the rest of the road trip.