The high-octane offense that has defined the South Siders for most of this spring is packing its bags and heading across the complex today for a showdown at Camelback Ranch. The White Sox enter Thursday’s action still pacing the league in several hitting categories, proving that their aggressive, contact-first approach wasn’t just a weekend fluke. They’ve traded patience for production, and while it’s a complete 180 from the stagnant offenses of years past, today they’ll have their work cut out for them as they face a star-studded Dodgers squad.
This afternoon, we’ll get a glimpse of the “dual-threat” dynamic behind the plate. Both Kyle Teel and Edgar Quero are penciled into the lineup today, a configuration that manager Will Venable will often have to juggle with throughout the 2026 season. While Quero has been the statistical darling of the spring with that gaudy .667 average, he’s still going to have to answer questions about his glove. Seeing how he and Teel split the defensive and DH duties this spring will be a major subplot as the roster begins to take its final shape.
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The youth movement doesn’t stop with the catchers, as Braden Montgomery finally gets his first start of Cactus League play. The switch-hitting outfielder has been an intriguing prospect since coming over in the Garrett Crochet swap. After a few late-inning spring cameos, today we’ll see how he fits into the outfield puzzle.
Munetaka Murakami, who is likely making his final appearance in a Sox uniform for a few weeks, gets one more afternoon in the desert sun. The Japanese superstar will soon head off for the World Baseball Classic, and fans are hoping for at least one Glendale moonshot before he represents his home country.
On the mound, the Good Guys turn to lefty Sean Newcomb. The veteran, who is effectively auditioning for a permanent rotation spot, will need to be sharp against a Dodgers lineup that rarely lets any pitcher off the hook. The former Round 1 pick (No. 15) of the Los Angeles Angels made the Red Sox big league squad out of camp on a minor league deal last season, only to be DFA’d and traded to the Athletics for cash in May despite a decent start. He reinvented himself with the A’s, turning in an impressive 1.75 ERA and a 1.02 WHIP over 51 1/3 innings out of the pen. Now, he’s looking to prove that late-season dominance was no fluke.
Los Angeles counters with Tyler Glasnow, who was highly effective when available last season, posting a 3.19 ERA and a 4-3 record despite being limited to 90 1/3 innings due to shoulder inflammation. He’s looking to prove he’s past the health hurdles and side soreness that cropped up late in their 2025 World Series run.
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Here is how the managers line up their teams this afternoon.
Skipper Will Venable’s White Sox:
And for Dave Roberts’ Dodgers:
Once again, it’s not easy if you want to catch the action today. You’ll need an MLB.TV (out of market) or SNLA+ subscription to tune into the Dodgers’ broadcast at 2:05 p.m. CST. Let’s cross our fingers and see if the “Good Guys” can fire up the bats and bring another win.
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