Sports

Game Thread: Tigers (72-80) at White Sox (77-75)

Nairavoice · Sep 17, 2026 · 2 min read

After a 2-1 series loss in Cleveland against the Guardians (78-75), the White Sox (77-75) are trying to recover in Chicago against the Tigers (72-80). This will be the series opener of a four-game series, and it is crucial in terms of the South Siders’ playoff chances.

Right-handed pitcher Erick Fedde will start on the mound for the South Siders. Fedde, 33, enters this game with a 3.97 ERA and a 5.12 FIP in 133 2/3 innings. Since FanGraphs bases its pitcher WAR totals on FIP, Fedde has still been below replacement level (-0.2 fWAR), although he has looked much better recently. In his past five games, Fedde has posted a 1.50 ERA and a 3.47 FIP in 24 innings.

The White Sox will go up against left-handed starter Framber Valdez, a two-time All-Star. Valdez, 32, has a 4.01 ERA and a 4.17 FIP, accumulating 1.8 fWAR in 163 2/3 innings. This will be his 12th career game against the White Sox, and in the first 11, he posted a 3.25 ERA in 63 2/3 innings.

Here are tonight’s starting lineups:

Interestingly, Tommy Pham will bat second. Granted, Pham homered yesterday, and he has the platoon advantage over the left-handed Valdez, but he is only slashing .056/.105/.222 (-13 wRC+) in 19 MLB plate appearances this season.

Returning to the stadium tonight is Tim Anderson, who received a warm ovation during pregame festivities. Anderson, who recently retired, is being honored, and rightfully so. We expressed our gratitude for the All-Star shortstop earlier.

First pitch is scheduled for 6:40 p.m. CT. The game will be televised on CHSN, and ESPN Chicago WMVP 1000 AM will have the radio coverage. We look forward to discussing this matchup with you. With the Guardians off today, a win would move the White Sox back into first place, as they hold the tiebreaker over Cleveland.