The Chicago White Sox are set to take another swing at the Houston Astros on Tuesday night at Daikin Park, and this time the lineup is built to attack right-hander Ronel Blanco with a lefty-heavy look. After a brutal loss on Monday, Chicago will try to reset quickly in a game scheduled for 7:10 CT.
One of the biggest changes is that Braden Montgomery is not in the lineup. That fits the recent context around his rough stretch, since he has been in a.167/.219/.200 slump over his last seven games and has also drawn questions on defense. With the White Sox trying to rebound, the shift gives them a different look against Blanco and a chance to lean into matchups.
Colson Montgomery earns a bigger role
Colson Montgomery is a key part of that adjustment after going 2-for-3 with a home run and two walks on Monday night. His performance gave Chicago one of its brighter offensive moments and helped push him higher in the order for Tuesday's matchup.
That matters because the White Sox need more consistent production as they face a Houston team that comes into the series with a winning record. Colson Montgomery's Monday night showing offered a reminder of the upside Chicago is hoping to tap into more often, especially with the club looking for answers after an uneven run.
What the lineup means
The lefty-heavy construction is a straightforward attempt to create a better matchup against Blanco. It also shows how quickly roles can shift when a player like Colson Montgomery delivers at the plate while another, like Braden Montgomery, is slumping.
For the White Sox, the immediate question is whether the new lineup can turn a tough night into a better one. The answer begins with whether Chicago can get more traffic on the bases and more damage from the top and middle of the order against Blanco.
