Erick

Fedde

Fedde struck out four in his first start since he beat the Rays on July 31. He was used as a bulk guy his last couple of times out, but the White Sox saw no need to go that route today against a Twins lineup which, especially with Byron Buxton out, is just average-ish hitters top to bottom. Fedde could start again Thursday against the Astros, depending on how the White Sox want to line things up.

Fedde has pitched 8 2/3 scoreless innings in his last two outings as a bulk guy, lowering his season ERA to 4.18 in 118 1/3 innings. Today’s showing didn’t get him a win, but the White Sox did prevail for the first time in his six appearances this month. He’s in line to make his next appearance Saturday against the Twins, but the White Sox have flexibility there after an off day Thursday.

Fedde took the mound in the second inning after Bryan Hudson surrendered a pair of solo homers as he opened the first inning. Fedde went on to pitch into the sixth as he held the Cubs without a run while striking out five batters. He’d depart with two outs in the sixth at 78 pitches. The 33-year-old right-hander ends his day with a 4.33 ERA, 1.40 WHIP, and an 82/42 K/BB ratio across 114 1/3 innings. His next outing is scheduled to come Sunday at home against the Mets.

With Davis Martin on the IL and Noah Schultz back in the minors, the White Sox currently have just three true rotation pitchers in Sean Burke, Luis Castillo and Anthony Kay. After Castillo starts Monday, they’ll rely heavily on the pen in the final two games of their series against the Cubs. With Thursday off, they could then perhaps split up their bulk-guy days next time through the rotation.

Fedde pitched well in a victory over the Rays his last time out, allowing just one run over five innings while punching out six batters. He’ll now shift to a long relief role as the White Sox try to make a push towards their first postseason berth since 2021.

Fedde had one of his best starts of the season in this one. His six strikeouts tied a season high, and the lone earned run he allowed came on a solo homer to Junior Caminero in the fourth inning. Fedde was in command of the strike zone and didn’t walk a batter, and he ends July with a 3-0 record while posting just three walks over 17 2/3 innings. He’ll look to carry his strong month into August, and is next scheduled to toe the rubber on Thursday against the Red Sox.

Fedde gave up five hits, walked one and struck out two. He had trouble keeping the ball in the ballpark as three of the five hits Fedde allowed were home runs. The 33-year-old right-hander has a 4.25 ERA, but doesn’t have much fantasy value outside of AL-Only leagues. He’s lined up to face the Rays on the road next weekend.

If the White Sox had used an opener tonight, as they had in six of Fedde’s previous seven outings, this probably would have been a fourth straight win for the right-hander. As is, the victory went to Chris Murphy for getting four outs in the fifth and sixth. Fedde struck out six and walked none. He’s due to make his next appearance Sunday against the Astros.

The White Sox will return from the break with their top three starters going. This will also set up Erick Fedde for a two-start week against Texas and Houston the following week.

Feddy came in for the third after Bryan Hudson and Chris Murphy pitched scoreless first and second innings, respectively, and allowed one hit with three strikeouts through the sixth. He started the seventh by giving up a double to Joshua Kuroda-Grauer, leading to his exit, but Sean Newcomb came in and stranded the runner. It’s Fedde’s fifth win, all of which have come since the beginning of June. He has a 4.15 ERA in nine starts and 10 appearances as a bulk guy.