Game Day Preview: White Sox Begin Series Against Cleveland Guardians

The White Sox travel to Cleveland for a three-game series against the Guardians beginning Tuesday. Here's the game day preview, including the probable pitchers, lineups, roster news, TV and radio details, weather forecast and more.

Chicago White Sox outfielder Luis Robert Jr. (88) high-fives teammates in the dugout after scoring against the Detroit Tigers at Comerica Park. | David Reginek-Imagn Images

The White Sox look to bounce back from a series sweep in Detroit over the weekend as they travel to Cleveland for a three-game set against the Guardians.

Will Venable's club had Monday off to rest and prepare for their third series against an AL Central foe. With five straight losses, the White Sox have fallen into last place in the division, while Tigers climbed into first place at 6-4 after sweeping the south siders.

Shane Smith is back on the mound for the White Sox, making the second start of his MLB career. In his debut against the Twins, Smith was sharp through five innings before giving up two runs and being pulled with two outs in the sixth. On Tuesday he goes up against Guardians team that lost two of three against the Angels and turns to starter Ben Lively.

Here's more information on Tuesday's game.

How to watch White Sox vs. Guardians

• Who: Chicago White Sox (2-7) at Cleveland Guardians (3-6)
• When: Tuesday, April 8 at 4:10 p.m. ET
• Where: Progressive Field in Cleveland, Ohio
• TV: Chicago Sports Network (CHSN). For more information on how to watch CHSN, CLICK HERE.
• Announcers: John Schriffen (play-by-play), Steve Stone (analyst), Brooke Fletcher (reporter)
• Radio: ESPN Chicago WMVP 1000 AM
• Announcers: Len Kasper (play-by-play), Darrin Jackson (analyst), Jeff Meller (pre and postgame show)
• Betting information: The Guardians are favored on the money line at minus-198, and the White Sox money line odds are plus-166. On the run line, you can bet the White Sox plus-1.5 at minus-137 odds, and the Guardians minus-1.5 at plus-114 odds. The over/under is 7.5 runs, according to the FanDuel Sportsbook.
• Weather: At 4 p.m. in Cleveland, the forecast is 33 degrees and partly cloudy with a 0% chance of rain and west-northwest winds at 15 miles per hour, according to weather.com.

Lineups

White Sox

• Mike Tauchman, RF
• Luis Robert Jr., CF
• Nick Maton, DH
• Andrew Vaughn, 1B
• Matt Thaiss, C
• Lenyn Sosa, 2B
• Miguel Vargas, 3B
• Brooks Baldwin, LF
• Jake Amaya, SS

Guardians

• Steven Kwan, LF
• José Ramírez, 3B
• Carlos Santana, 1B
• Kyle Manzardo, DH
• Lane Thomas, CF
• Nolan Jones, RF
• Gabriel Arias, 2B
• Bo Naylor, C
• Brayan Rocchio, SS

Tuesday's starting pitchers

• White Sox RHP Shane Smith: 5.2 IP, 2 H, 2 ER, 4 BB, 3 K
• Guardians RHP Ben Lively: 9.1 IP, 11 H, 7 ER, 2 BB, 7 K

News

The White Sox reinstated left-handed pitcher Tyler Gilbert from the injured list on Tuesday and optioned left-handed pitcher Brandon Eisert to the Triple-A Charlotte Knights. They also agreed to a minor-league deal with Brandon Drury and assigned him to extended Spring Training in Arizona.

During Sunday's game, the team announced Andrew Benintendi exited with left adductor tightness and is day-to-day. He's not in Tuesday's lineup. Fellow outfielder Mike Tauchman returned from the 10-day injured list on Sunday and notched one hit and a walk in the 4-3 loss.

Managers

• Will Venable, White Sox: Venable, 42, is in his first season with the White Sox and first year as an MLB manager. He was previously an associate manager for the Texas Rangers from 2023-24 and on the coaching staffs for the Boston Red Sox from 2021-22 and Chicago Cubs from 2018-20. An outfielder during his playing days, Venable began his career with the San Diego Padres from 2008-15 and later played for the Texas Rangers in 2015 and Los Angeles Dodgers in 2016. He had a .249 batting average in 967 career games. Venable graduated from Princeton University, where he played baseball and basketball.
• Stephen Vogt, Guardians: Vogt, 40, is in his second season as the Guardians' manager. In his first season as an MLB manager, he guided Cleveland to a 92-69 record, and AL Central division title and an appearance in the ALCS. Vogt was named 2024 AL manager of the year. Prior to his current role, Vogt spent the 2023 season as the Seattle Mariners' bullpen and quality control coach. He primarily played catcher for 10 seasons in MLB, beginning with the Tampa Bay Rays and later for the Oakland Athletics, Milwaukee Brewers, San Francisco Giants, Arizona Diamondbacks and Atlanta Braves through the 2022 season.

Related stories on the Chicago White Sox

• TAKEAWAYS FROM TIGERS SERIES: The White Sox were swept over the weekend in Detroit. Here are three takeaways. CLICK HERE

• WHITE SOX BLOW LATE LEAD: Spencer Torkelson hit a walk-off double to give the Tigers a 4-3 win over the White Sox Sunday at Comerica Park. CLICK HERE

• TAUCHMAN RETURNS: After missing the first week of the season with a right hamstring strain, the White Sox have reinstated Mike Tauchman from the 10-day IL. CLICK HERE

• MARTIN STRUGGLES IN LOSS TO TIGERS: After a strong season debut last week, White Sox starting pitcher Davis Martin gave up seven earned runs in Saturday’s loss to the Detroit Tigers. CLICK HERE