2025-07-29 Phillies at White Sox Matchup Preview

Pitching Matchup

Jesus Luzardo takes the mound for the Philadelphia Phillies, bringing a repertoire that relies heavily on movement and deception. His slider is his primary weapon, generating a high percentage of swings and misses thanks to its late break and velocity. He complements this with a sinking fastball designed to induce ground balls, keeping runners off base. Luzardo also mixes in a changeup that he throws with good arm speed, further disrupting hitters' timing. While Luzardo's velocity isn't overpowering, his ability to command his pitches and keep hitters guessing makes him a difficult opponent. His four-seam fastball has a very high percentage of being called a strike when he throws it at the top of the strike zone. Jonathan Cannon will be on the mound for the Chicago White Sox. Cannon possesses a powerful fastball, averaging in the mid-90s, which he pairs with a sharp curveball. The curveball has a high percentage of causing hitters to swing and miss. His changeup is still developing, but he uses it effectively to keep hitters from sitting on his fastball. Cannon will need to command his fastball effectively to keep the Phillies' hitters off balance. Cannon's two-seam fastball also has a high percentage of being called a strike when he throws it at the bottom of the strike zone.

Phillies Hitting

The Philadelphia Phillies' offense has been a force to be reckoned with this season. As a team, they show a high percentage in terms of walk rate, demonstrating their patience at the plate. They are also quite good in terms of on-base percentage which allows them to get runners on base for the heart of their lineup. Their lineup boasts a number of hitters capable of driving the ball out of the park, and they excel at hitting for average as well. Against right-handed pitchers like Cannon, the Phillies have shown a propensity for working counts and capitalizing on mistakes. They have a very high percentage of contact rate when facing fastballs, indicating they are ready for Cannon's primary offering. They may struggle against curveballs and sliders from Cannon, which may keep the Phillies honest at the plate.

White Sox Hitting

The Chicago White Sox's offense has struggled to find consistency. As a team, they show a low percentage in terms of walk rate, indicating they are not being as patient at the plate. Their on-base percentage has also suffered as a result. They are also a below-average team in terms of isolated power. Facing a left-handed pitcher like Luzardo, the White Sox will need to focus on shortening their swings and driving the ball up the middle. They may struggle against his changeup as they show a low percentage of hitting the pitch effectively as a team. Their lineup will need to manufacture runs and take advantage of any opportunities Luzardo gives them.

Keys to the Game

For the Phillies, the key is to be patient at the plate against Cannon. They have to work counts, get on base, and put pressure on the White Sox's defense. They need to stay disciplined and avoid chasing pitches out of the strike zone. If the Phillies can get into the White Sox's bullpen early, they should be able to take advantage. For the White Sox, the key is for Cannon to command his fastball and keep the Phillies' hitters off balance. He needs to mix in his curveball effectively and avoid leaving pitches over the middle of the plate. The White Sox's hitters must be aggressive early in the count and look to drive the ball up the middle against Luzardo. They also need to capitalize on any mistakes Luzardo makes and take advantage of any runners they get on base.

Prediction

The Phillies' offense has been too consistent for the White Sox's pitching to contain. Expect the Phillies to get on base often enough to put pressure on the White Sox. Luzardo will pitch effectively.
Phillies 5 White Sox 3