Guardians vs White Sox: A Thrilling MLB Doubleheader at Guaranteed Rate
Context & Stakes for the Series
A rain‑soaked season continues for the Cleveland Guardians and Chicago White Sox, who resume their four‑game set today, Friday, July 11, 2025. Thursday night's opener was postponed due to weather, leading to a split doubleheader today: Game 1 at 2:10 CT (makeup) and Game 2 at 7:10 CT .
The Guardians (43‑48) are fighting to stay in the AL Central mix, just behind the Detroit Tigers. Meanwhile, the rebuilding White Sox (31‑62) are lingering at the bottom, though they've shown flashes of resilience, notably ending Toronto's 10‑game winning streak midweek .
Extra spice? Chicago honors their 2005 World Series champs all weekend, unveiling a Mark Buehrle statue, adding nostalgia to the proceedings .
Starting Pitching Matchups
Game 1 (Afternoon Makeup – 2:10 CT)
| Team | Pitcher | Record | ERA | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CLE | Logan Allen (LHP) | 5‑7 | 4.07 | Strong change‑up, early‑inning vulnerability |
| CWS | Shane Smith (RHP) | 3‑7 | 4.20 | Struggling lately—five+ earned in last four starts |
Game 2 (Evening – 7:10 CT)
| Team | Pitcher | Record | ERA | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CLE | Gavin Williams (RHP) | 5‑4 | 3.61 | Coming off six scoreless innings despite tough luck |
| CWS | Jonathan Cannon (RHP) | 3‑7 | 4.50 | Decent recent form, relies on five‑pitch mix |
Lineup & Player Watch Lists
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Guardians Offense:
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José Ramírez (.301, 17 HR, 45 RBI) and Steven Kwan (.292, 101 hits), form a potent 3–4 punch .
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Young studs Angel Martinez and Miguel Vargas bring extra pop and speed.
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White Sox Bats:
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Miguel Vargas leads with 10 HR, 34 RBI, and a .220 average; Andrew Benintendi matches his production .
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Lenyn Sosa (.272, 7 HR) gives unexpected spark near the heart of the order .
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The Key Storylines to Track
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Doubleheader Fatigue vs. Momentum: Will Cleveland's bullpen stay sharp through two games? Can Chicago ride momentum from Wednesday's morale-boosting win?
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Pitchers vs. Weaknesses: Guardians will look to early runs against Allen’s Opening frame susceptibility. White Sox hope Cannon continues keeping contact grounded.
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2005 Celebration Vibes: The emotional lift from the statue ceremony could energize the home team for Game 2.
Things to Watch
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Weather: Despite the earlier postponement, today's skies cleared—no further delays expected.
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Broadcast Info: Afternoon game on CHSN, evening on Fubo/DIRECTV; radio coverage via ESPN 1000.
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Ticket & Attendance: Expect a crowd keen on baseball nostalgia—arrive early for the statue unveiling!
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Betting Angles: Guardians slight favorites (–122 ML Game 2 memory, predictions close) .
Matchups at a Glance
| Game | Time (CT) | CLE Pitcher | CWS Pitcher | CLE Offense Leaders | CWS Offense Leaders | Matchup Edge |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2:10 PM | Logan Allen | Shane Smith | Ramírez, Kwan | Vargas, Benintendi | Guardians (pitching) |
| 2 | 7:10 PM | Gavin Williams | Jonathan Cannon | Same above | Same above | Slight Guardians edge |
Final Thoughts
Friday promises a full day of baseball drama as the Guardians and White Sox battle in a rain‑rearranged doubleheader at Guaranteed Rate Field. With pitching duels, offensive stakes, and emotional ceremonies, it's the perfect package for both casual fans and die‑hards. Whether Cleveland takes both games to solidify a mid‑division chase or Chicago rides late‑season hope, it's must‑watch action.
