Pregame notes: Trying to pad the division lead

If the White Sox lose on Wednesday, they will still have a share of the American League Central lead and technically be ahead of the Guardians on percentage points.

But if they win, they'll be all alone with a two-game lead, a commanding start to their head-to-head matchup, and maybe even return to being one of three AL teams with a positive run differential (dare to dream).

Whatever they do, it will be delayed by rain in the forecast. The White Sox have put the tarp on the field (the grounds crew, not the players) and not provided a new first pitch time as of yet.

⚙️⚙️⚙️

It's about four weeks since Munetaka Murakami went down with a Grade 2 hamstring strain, and it certainly seems like he's going to be a lot closer to the six side of his 4-6 week recovery projection. He's "close" to hitting against game speed velocity, but not quite there yet.

"The hitting part and the intensity at which he's hitting is further than the running," said Will Venable. "He's still working on a daily basis to get back to full health. He's getting closer, but I think the hitting part is a little ahead of the running."

⚙️⚙️⚙️

The White Sox are listing Davis Martin and Anthony Kay as their probable starters for Saturday and Sunday against the Royals, while leaving Friday as TBA. David Sandlin is the scheduled starter for the Charlotte Knights on Friday, so that would line him up with Venable's stated expectation to use a starter for the next appearance of the open rotation slot.

Perhaps a Royals lineup with Maikel García, Vinnie Pasquantino, Kyle Isbel and Jonathan India all sidelined with injury and Bobby Witt Jr. dealing with a balky knee will be an easier challenge for Sandlin than facing the Twins in back-to-back starts and the Phillies. Perhaps Jac Caglianone on a power surge while Hagen Smith is on the injured list and the team scrambles for starters will occupy the focus of some of our readers.

Mason Adams is supposed to pitch for the Knights Wednesday night. Noah Schultz has a rehab outing scheduled for Saturday.

⚙️⚙️⚙️

Steve Stone remains under the weather, so Brooke Fletcher will repeat as the analyst on the TV broadcast for a second-straight day.

Mary Shane did play-by-play work for the White Sox in 1977, and the venerable Cheryl Raye Stout said she worked a broadcast in 1987, so the Sox are being very specific about honoring Fletcher breaking a barrier by serving in an analyst role. But more women in a greater breadth of roles across baseball is always a welcome sight, as many reached out to Fletcher Tuesday night to acknowledge.

"I got a lot of texts and a lot of calls," Fletcher said. "I was really appreciative of everybody being so supportive. It really meant a lot, especially with some women in this industry that I really look up to: Jenny Cavnar and Alanna Rizzo; Melanie Newman reached out. Melanie was great; I worked with her at Apple a few years ago, and she was just like, I’m so excited for you. Just being able to have the support of the women in this industry really means a lot."

⚙️⚙️⚙️

Chris Murphy is opening for Erick Fedde in this game. Venable is happy about the lineup effects it has had.

"We get the matchups up front that we like, and there’s often an adjustment the opposition will make to their lineup, which is beneficial also," Venable said. "That’s the case today where they still have [David] Fry up front, which Murphy will have to deal with the first time around. But then we’re able to put the pressure on that matchup and get an extra righty for Fedde."

First pitch: White Sox vs. Guardians

TV: CHSN

Radio: ESPN 1000 AM, 107.9 FM La Ley (Spanish)

Lineups: