Heading into the finale of a four-game set against the Detroit Tigers on Sunday afternoon, the host Chicago White Sox are desperate for a hero.
Miguel Vargas wants to fill that spot.
The All-Star slugged his 33rd home run of the season on Saturday to help Chicago (79-76) beat Detroit 3-1 and stay a game behind the Cleveland Guardians atop the American League Central. The White Sox hold a two-game lead over the Houston Astros in the race for the third and final AL wild-card berth.
“That’s what I work for. That’s why I wake up every day and work so hard for these types of moments,” Vargas said. “And for me, this group has been pushing me every single day. I’ve never been thinking about my individual stats. I just want to go out there and do the best for my team and have some fun and always try hard.”
Davis Martin (9-7, 3.96 ERA) will make his fourth appearance since being activated from the 15-day injured list (finger blister). The right-hander has a 1.13 ERA in three outings since his return, giving up just three runs (two earned), but he has only an 0-1 record to show for it.
Martin threw 5 1/3 innings of one-run, two-hit ball against Cleveland on Tuesday in a no-decision. He entered after Chris Murphy gave up three runs in two-thirds of an inning as the opener in Chicago’s 7-6 loss.
Martin is 1-2 with a 3.49 ERA in seven career games (six starts) against the Tigers. The 29-year-old surrendered just one run on five hits across six innings in Detroit on June 21, striking out four and walking three in a no-decision. Chicago lost 5-4 in 10 innings.
On June 10, Martin had a 9-2 record and a 2.41 ERA after a 2-1 win over the Atlanta Braves. He has not won since, piling up five losses and nine no-decisions.
Meanwhile, Detroit (73-82) is nearing the mathematical end to a disappointing season. After consecutive playoff appearances, the Tigers will be eliminated from postseason contention with their next loss.
Detroit left 11 runners on base in the club’s third loss in four games on Saturday.
“It feels good to have opportunities. It doesn’t feel good when you miss out on them,” Tigers manager A.J. Hinch said. “It’s tough when you leave that many on, but you don’t want to not have them on there and not have the chance.”
As he makes his 20th start of the season for Detroit on Sunday, right-hander Troy Melton (8-4, 2.52 ERA) is looking to improve on what has been a forgettable September. After posting a 2.10 ERA in August, the 25-year-old has allowed 11 earned runs in 13 2/3 innings across his past three starts.
On Monday, Melton lasted just 2 2/3 innings against the Toronto Blue Jays. He gave up two runs on five hits while walking four and striking out three in a no-decision. He needed 76 pitches to record eight outs in a game the Tigers won 6-5.
In five career appearances (four starts) against the White Sox, Melton is 2-0 with a 1.48 ERA. He has faced them three times this year, going 1-0 with a 1.56 ERA, allowing three earned runs in 17 1/3 innings.
The Tigers are 1-2 in his starts against the White Sox.
–Field Level Media
