From Chicago White Sox On SI · · 1m 50s
White Sox vs Guardians: Murakami Sits, Pham Returns
White Sox skip star Murakami as veteran Pham returns for playoff push.
In brief
White Sox skip star Murakami as veteran Pham returns for playoff push. Chicago White Sox bench star slugger Munetaka Murakami for playoff push after his slump, reinstating injured Tommy Pham to bat fourth. Originally reported by Chicago White Sox On SI.
White Sox game stakes
A win means control of the AL Central with weeks to go; a loss means playing catch-up for months.
Game details
Chicago White Sox (77-74) vs Cleveland Guardians (77-75) at Progressive Field 12:10 CT.
White Sox lineup
Chase Meidroth, Randal Grichuk, Miguel Vargas, Tommy Pham, Kyle Teel, Brenton Doyle, Colson Montgomery, Luisangel Acuña, Tristan Peters.
Murakami sits
Munetaka Murakami sits amid worsening slump with .110 batting average and 57 strikeouts in last month.
Pham returns
Tommy Pham reinstated from IL after injury, batting fourth with only 10 games played in 2026.
Montgomery returns
Colson Montgomery returns from sitting Game 2 to play third base after Murakami's absence.
Randal Grichuk moves
Randal Grichuk takes over left field after Sam Antonacci's game-winning walk-off hit.
Brenton Doyle and Kyle Teel
Brenton Doyle starts second consecutive game in center field; Kyle Teel returns to backstop for fifth batting order.
Anthony Kay
Anthony Kay, White Sox LHP, has been consistent with 3+ earned runs in last four starts.
Kay's recent success
Kay struck out eight in June game against Guardians with zero runs scored in 6.0 innings.
Parker Messick
Parker Messick, Guardians LHP, 11-9 with 2.51 ERA, strikes out 26.0% of batters.
Messick's success
Messick has gone 7+ innings in two of three games against White Sox with less than 2 earned runs.
Game outcome
White Sox must capitalize on few opportunities against Messick to clinch playoff push.
The headline
Chicago White Sox bench star slugger Munetaka Murakami for playoff push after his slump, reinstating injured Tommy Pham to bat fourth.
