Guardians Host White Sox in Crucial Series with Playoff Implications
The Cleveland Guardians (75-71) are set to face the Chicago White Sox (57-90) in a pivotal three-game series at Progressive Field starting on Friday, September 12, 2025. With their playoff hopes hanging in the balance, the Guardians need a strong showing against a struggling White Sox team.
Team Performance Overview
The Guardians have a -38 run differential and are ranked 28th with an 85 wRC+. Their strengths lie in baserunning (9th with 5.3 runs above average) and defense (5th at 2.5). The bullpen has been a major asset, ranking second in FIP at 3.59, while the starting pitching ranks 23rd with a 4.42 FIP.
The White Sox have struggled this season with a -76 run differential. Their offense ranks 26th with a 90 wRC+, and they are also 26th in baserunning runs above average at -5.7. Defensively, they are 28th at -50. Their starting pitching is 28th in FIP at 4.74, and their bullpen ranks 18th with a 4.15 FIP.
Series Matchups
Here's a look at the pitching matchups for the series:
- Game One (Friday, 7:10 PM EDT): Martín Pérez (LHP, 3.99 FIP) vs. Tanner Bibee (RHP, 4.69 FIP)
- Game Two (Saturday, 6:10 PM EDT): Davis Martin (RHP, 4.93 FIP) vs. Parker Messick (LHP, 2.54 FIP)
- Game Three (Sunday, 1:40 PM EDT): Yoendrys Gomez (RHP, 4.40 FIP) vs. Slade Cecconi (RHP, 4.83 FIP)
Players to Watch
Several players from both teams are having strong offensive seasons. For the White Sox, keep an eye on Kyle Teel (136 wRC+), Colson Montgomery (124 wRC+), Mike Tauchman (120 wRC+), Korey Lee (112 wRC+), Andrew Benintendi (105 wRC+), and Edgar Quero (104 wRC+).
The Guardians are led by Jose Ramirez (132 wRC+), Kyle Manzardo (121 wRC+), and Steven Kwan (101 wRC+).
Game One Starting Lineups
Here are the confirmed starting lineups for tonight's game:
| Guardians | White Sox |
|---|---|
| LF Steven Kwan | RF Mike Tauchman |
| CF Angel Martínez | C Kyle Teel |
| 3B José Ramírez | 1B Lenyn Sosa |
| DH David Fry | SS Colson Montgomery |
| 1B Kyle Manzardo | 3B Miguel Vargas |
| SS Gabriel Arias | DH Andrew Benintendi |
| RF Jhonkensy Noel | CF Brooks Baldwin |
| 2B Brayan Rocchio | 2B Chase Meidroth |
| C Austin Hedges | LF Will Robertson |
| P Tanner Bibee | P Martín Pérez |
Pérez Looks to Rebound
Martín Pérez will be looking to bounce back from a difficult start against the Detroit Tigers, where he allowed six earned runs in four innings. Despite that outing, Pérez has generally been a reliable contributor to the White Sox rotation, entering the game with a 3.15 ERA and a 3.89 FIP.
Bibee's History Against the White Sox
Tanner Bibee will be making his third start of the season against the White Sox. In his previous two starts against them, he pitched 11 innings and posted a 4.91 ERA.
