Pregame notes: They have to deal with Ohtani this time

Even while the clubhouse was open pregame, there was uncertainty about whether Shohei Ohtani would be in the lineup after missing Friday's rout with left knee soreness.

If you're of the belief that the Sox should openly crave the opportunity to face off against the best of the best while scrapping to stay in the AL Central lead, consider that you're full of more piss and vinegar than the people running the team.

"I told Doc [Dave Roberts] yesterday he can take a couple extra days if he wanted to," Will Venable said. "There’s no denying he’s a really good player. At the same time you don’t wish poor health on any player. We’re not trying to measure where we’re at and see how it looks against Ohtani. We’re trying to win a baseball game, and whether he’s in the lineup or not we’re going to have to attack the zone against him and the rest of the guys and make pitches."

Jerry Reinsdorf gave Roberts a huge hug pregame on Friday, and Venable considers him to be one of the central mentors for his managerial career, so expect a lot of friendly and respectful quotes in both directions going forward.

"As I got in the cycle of interviews for managerial jobs, he’s somebody that obviously I reached out to and was able to help me through certain situations," Venable said. "Somebody still if I have questions about things or I’m interested in certain dynamics of the job, I can pick up the phone and he’s always there to help me out."

The White Sox have some injury updates of their own of some relevance, just none of them carry the magnitude of whether or not their DH will be a four-time MVP carrying a .964 OPS or Santiago Espinal.

--Noah Schultz threw his bullpen, which the final thing he needs to progress through before a rehab assignment

--Kyle Teel ran on the field, caught in the bullpen, and generally looks like someone who is doing every baseball activity and will be heading out to join Triple-A Charlotte soon.

--Munetaka Murakami did various leg exercises with training staff on the field.

--Jordan Hicks begins his rehab assignment with Triple-A Charlotte on Saturday.

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At 23-11, the Sox have the second-best home record in baseball, spurred by winning 19 out of their last 22 and eight consecutive games at Rate Field. The 19-3 stretch--their best 22-game stretch of home games since 2010--has included 10 one-run victories and three walk-offs.

It seems to be affecting the bottom line to some degree, with the Sox reporting an average of 27,608 fans per game over their last 13 home dates, with four sellouts. Compare that to an average of 17,605 fans per game in their first 21 dates.

Year over year, the Sox say they are averaging 21,223 fans per game (721,529 total) this year, compared to 16,032 fans per game (545,071 total) at this point last year.

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The Sox are 7-4 since Murakami hit the injured list.

Chase Meidroth has a 22-game on-base streak and a 12-game hitting streak. His .353 on-base percentage is the highest among American League second basemen who have received 200 plate appearances or more.

First pitch: White Sox vs. Dodgers

TV: CHSN

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