Pregame notes: This one’s for all the Giardiniera

The Crosstown Classic is here and the added excitement is palpable.

"Really all games in the big leagues are important," Will Venable said. "Our guys have been excited about every game and tonight will be the same thing."

Both teams have winning records in this matchup for the first time since 2008, excluding that COVID year where José Abreu hit a billion home runs, so there were enough TV crews present and enough media scrums that surely someone would give an answer that met the moment.

"I dislike every other team," Sam Antonacci said. "I want my team to win."

Hmm, definitely getting closer, but still sounds more like the specific level of insanity that Antonacci brings to every game, not just this one.

"We hated the Cubs growing up," said Wisconsin native Jarred Kelenic. "But Craig Counsell is a close family friend of mine."

Choosing to ignore that last part, but hell yeah.

In seriousness, the players are all pretty intrigued by the idea of playing in front of a packed house, for whatever reason there might be. It's just that once they start talking about how seriously they take things, it sounds like, really intense.

"We’re looking to compete all weekend and fight, fight for the city," said Chase Meidroth. "The energy is high, the vibes are high. Everyone loves each other in here. Every day we show up and we’re playing for each other and playing for the guy behind you and in front of you. It’s going to be another baseball game, but this one means a little more."

The White Sox have cornered the market on enormous left-handed pitchers who throw from low arm slots and sprightly infielders who seem willing to die.

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Speaking of the latter, Antonacci is wearing a big wrap on his right leg, but insists he's fine after getting a little gimpy running the bases Thursday, seemingly stemming from his hit-by-pitch late on Wednesday.

"Got hit by a pitch the night before," Antonacci said. "I just didn't prepare well enough on my end, didn't really take the proper treatment that I needed to. Just felt it grab a little bit from that bruise. Got here early today and got with the training staff and did some work on it and did some tests to make sure I'm good to go out there. Appreciative for all their help."

He's back at the top of the lineup, so he must be all right. Venable said that Antonacci leading off against right-handers, with Meidroth leading off against left-handers, and otherwise hitting fifth, is going to be a consistent thing for the time being.

"It’s awesome when a manager trusts you like that," Meidroth said of his assignment. "He has everyone’s back in this clubhouse and so it’s easy playing for him and showing up to work every day and playing for the rest of these guys in the clubhouse. Knowing that they trust me and I trust them, it’s huge."

Antonacci seemed to play around with the idea that he was hit on purpose by Royals pitcher Alex Lange, simultaneously saying that he didn't know for sure, but also endorsing the ethical code that would lead to him getting hit intentionally.

"I'm all for that," Antonacci said. "That's how baseball should be played. That's how it was back in the old days. I know we let two pitches go away and hit two of their guys. I'm glad they picked me."

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Kyle Teel is off on Friday, and scheduled to play seven innings for Triple-A Charlotte again Saturday, per Venable. He will probably need to play nine innings multiple times and recover well before he's activated.

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The Cubs have won 13 of the last 16 games in this series, and six of the last seven games at Rate Field. They lead the all-time series 77-75.

First pitch: White Sox vs. Cubs

TV: CHSN, WCIU, Marquee (Cubs)

Radio: ESPN 1000 AM, 107.9 FM La Ley (Spanish), 104.3 FM The Score (Cubs)

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