# White Sox vs Guardians: Murakami Sits, Pham Returns

> White Sox skip star Murakami as veteran Pham returns for playoff push.
- Title: White Sox vs Guardians: Murakami Sits, Pham Returns | Shortify
- Summary: 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…
- Keywords: chicago white sox, munetaka murakami, tommy pham, cleveland guardians, al central, mlb, progressive field, chicago, sports, White, Sox, Guardians
- Source: Chicago White Sox On SI — https://si.com/mlb/whitesox/onsi/white-sox-vs-guardians-lineup-munetaka-murakami-sits-tommy-pham-is-back-more-16
- Published: 2026-09-16T15:47:09+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: chicago white sox, munetaka murakami, tommy pham, cleveland guardians, al central, mlb, progressive field, chicago, sports
## 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.
## Key takeaway

Chicago White Sox bench star slugger Munetaka Murakami for playoff push after his slump, reinstating injured Tommy Pham to bat fourth.