Doug Padilla, ESPN Staff Writer 9y

Series preview: White Sox at Orioles

BALTIMORE -- The Chicago White Sox are venturing back to Baltimore on Thursday for a doubleheader scheduled when two games were postponed last month because of civil unrest.

The White Sox played only one game of their April 27-29 series at Baltimore because of local rioting and looting that made baseball in downtown an unsafe proposal. The one game that was played not only was moved to the daytime, but was played without any fans in the stadium.

That one game didn’t turn out well for the White Sox, and not just because they lost 8-2 in a contest that was never competitive at any point. The game also started the White Sox on a brutal five-game losing streak, as they lost the next four games at Minnesota by a combined score of 31-8.

The reschedule date did the White Sox no favors. It comes on what was supposed to be an off day between series at Toronto and at Houston. Instead of a nine-game trip over 11 days, the White Sox now play 11 games in 11 days in four different cities. The road trip closes at Texas next week.

It is also the White Sox’s second doubleheader of the season, with one more already scheduled. The White Sox and Cincinnati Reds played one on May 9 because rain washed out the May 8 series opener.

The White Sox will also play a day/night doubleheader against the Kansas City Royals on July 17 because an April 25 game was postponed. That doubleheader will be contested on the first day back from the All-Star break.

HEAD TO HEAD

Chicago White Sox starter Chris Sale has yet to post a victory over the Orioles in nine career appearances (three starts) and has a 5.06 ERA over 21 1/3 innings against them. ... White Sox starter Chris Beck, who will be making his major league debut in Game 2 of the doubleheader, is 3-2 over eight starts at Triple-A Charlotte this season with a 3.30 ERA. ... Orioles starter Tyler Wilson will be making his first major league start and has pitched just two innings in the major leagues. ... The Orioles' Mike Wright has never faced the White Sox, but hasn't given up a run in two major league starts (14 1/3 innings) against the Los Angeles Angels and the Miami Marlins.

NOTES

Beck hasn’t pitched in a major league game, but he has been on the major league roster before, when he was added as the 26th man for the May 9 doubleheader against the Cincinnati Reds. ... Once a standout on an otherwise disappointing White Sox team, the bullpen has now given up seven runs over its last seven innings, with closer David Robertson giving up four runs in 2 1/3 innings, even if he did get the victory Wednesday. ... The White Sox had lost seven of eight games before winning in the 10th inning Wednesday at Toronto. ... The White Sox have six home runs over their last 13 games after hitting 10 in their previous eight games. ... The White Sox’s road woes have not just been limited to this season, as they have not posted a winning record away from home since going 43-38 in both 2010 and 2011. ... Former White Sox outfielder Alejandro De Aza was designated for assignment by the Orioles on Wednesday. ... The White Sox are just 6-16 against the Orioles since 2012, going 3-9 at Camden Yards during that stretch.

PITCHING MATCHUPS

Game 1: White Sox LH Chris Sale (3-2, 4.21 ERA) vs. Orioles RH Tyler Wilson (1-0, 4.50), 12:05 p.m. CT

Game 2: White Sox RH Chris Beck (major league debut) vs. Orioles RH Mike Wright (1-0, 0.00), 30 minutes after first game.

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