White Sox Lineup (4/1): Can Shane Smith Find a Rhythm? Luisangel Acuña Back at SS

The Chicago White Sox are looking to pull off their first series win of the season after splitting the first two against the Marlins. To get the job done, however, they will have to get on base against one of the hardest throwers in the league.

Game Info

Who: Chicago White Sox (1-4) at Miami Marlins (4-1)
Where: LoanDepot Park
When: 12:10 PM CT
Watch: Chicago Sports Network, MLB.TV
Listen: ESPN 1000

White Sox Lineup

1. Chase Meidroth, 2B
2. Munetaka Murakami, 1B
3. Andrew Benintendi, DH
4. Colson Montgomery, 3B
5. Miguel Vargas, 3B
6. Tristan Peters, CF
7. Everson Pereira, RF
8. Reese McGuire, C
9. Luisangel Acuña, SS

Make that another new lineup! After shaking things up pretty drastically over their first five games, the Sox will go with the same top of the order we saw on Tuesday night. The decision comes despite a stagnant offensive showing, which saw Will Venable's squad manage just two walks with zero hits from the fourth inning on.

One of the more notable changes comes in the sixth spot, where Austin Hays stood for Game 2 of the series. He will have his first off day of the season after going 0-4. Nevertheless, it feels like quite a significant move considering the team's defensive woes in their 9-2 loss. Hays might very well be their most reliable outfielder at this point in time.

Speaking of which, it comes as little surprise that Luisangel Acuña was moved back to the infield. The Sox have seemingly been adamant that they view him as a potential key piece in center field, but the results have left a lot to be desired. While Tuesday's loss can't be put completely on his shoulders, Acuña multiple miscues played a substantial part in Miami gaining the lead and building momentum. Will he get another chance out there? Yes, but the leash might be pretty short after a performance like that.

Edgar Quero also committed a pair of errors in the Sox' previous loss and will sit this one out. This means Reese McGuire will get his second start of the season. For what it's worth, Quero's excellent spring training results have yet to translate, as he has just one hit and one walk over his 13 at-bats so far. Kyle Teel can't come back soon enough!

Miami Marlins Lineup

1. Jacob Marsee, CF
2. Xavier Edwards, 2B
3. Agustín Ramírez, DH
4. Liam Hicks, C
5. Connor Norby, DH
6. Owen Caissie, RF
7. Heriberto Hernández, LF
8. Graham Pauley, 1B
9. Javier Sanoja, 3B

Pitching Matchup

White Sox – Shane Smith, RHP

Shane Smith needs to have a good day. The 2025 All-Star and Opening Day starter has been trending down for weeks. His spring training run raised some red flags, as his command was all over the place. Last Thursday's start against the Brewers didn't necessarily paint a better picture. Yes, it was a high-stakes outing against one of the better-hitting teams in the league, but Smith is at the top of the order for a reason. He can't be allowing four runs and tossing 54 pitches in 1.2 innings of work. If he can't manage to go deeper into the game this afternoon, some serious questions are going to arise.

Marlins – Sandy Alcantara, RHP

Sandy Alcantara isn't the arm he used to be, but he still offers game-changing velocity. His fastball velo sat in the league's 91st percentile last season, while his groundball rate was near the top of the league. For someone with such high octane stuff, it's also rare to see someone sprinkle in so many pitches. This White Sox squad has had some pretty major swing-and-miss issues over the last handful of games, so there is no question this one could prove to be another ugly one.