Dream11 Fantasy Baseball: Brewers at White Sox

Milwaukee Brewers (3-5) at Chicago White Sox (7-4)

Thursday, August 6th, 8:10 PM EDT

Projected starters

RHP Josh Lindblom (0-0, 4.91 ERA) vs LHP Gio Gonzalez (0-0, 7.36 ERA)

Game Preview

The White Sox have the looks of a potential AL Central contender this season, and they were riding a six-game winning streak before dropping Wednesday's tilt against Milwaukee. The Brewers, on the other hand, have won just three of eight contests, although two of those wins have come in their last four games – they might be on the rise after a slow start to the season. The pitching matchup here will feature lefty Gio Gonzalez for the White Sox, and righty Josh Lindblom for the Brewers. Neither hurler has an eye-popping ERA, although Gonzalez might get the nod at being the best choice solely based on the fact Chicago have a stronger lineup than Milwaukee.

Injuries

Chicago White Sox

Tim Anderson - 10-Day IL - Groin

8/5 2:22 PM EST - Anderson (groin) is heading to the alternate training site Thursday to begin his rehab work and hopes to return from the injured list next week, James Fegan of The Athletic reports. The 27-year-old suffered the groin strain Friday and subsequently landed on the injured list, but he may be able to return when first eligible Tuesday. More information should be available once Anderson gets into the meat of his rehab. Leury Garcia should continue to fill in at shortstop in the meantime.

Jake Burger - Out - Achilles

7/14 10:42 AM EST - Burger (Achilles) will play in a local St. Louis league to get game reps in this season, James Fegan of The Athletic reports. Burger hasn't gotten any game action in since 2017 due to Achilles issues. With minor-league games cancelled this season, he'll have to turn elsewhere for reps. He hasn't been included in the White Sox's 60-man player pool but will be allowed to play independent ball in order to stay sharp.

Ryan Burr - Out - Elbow

7/14 10:54 AM EST - Burr (elbow) joined the White Sox's player pool Tuesday, James Fegan of The Athletic reports. Burr is working his way back from Tommy John surgery, a procedure he underwent in June of 2019. He should be able to pitch at some point this season, though he's yet to impress at the big-league level, posting a 5.52 ERA in 29.1 innings over parts of two seasons.

Edwin Encarnacion - Day-To-Day - Shoulder

8/5 2:17 PM EST - Encarnacion (shoulder) is not in the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Brewers, James Fegan of The Athletic reports. The 37-year-old exited Tuesday's contest with left shoulder soreness and will miss at least one game as a result. It doesn't appear to be a serious injury as Encarnacion is considered day-to-day, but the team figures to remain cautious with the veteran slugger.

Michael Kopech - Out - Opt Out

7/22 5:55 AM EST - The White Sox placed Kopech (personal) on the restricted list July 10. The transaction was just a procedural move after Kopech confirmed earlier that day that he would opt out of the 2020 season. While at home for the next several months, Kopech will complete his rehab from his September 2018 Tommy John surgery before reporting to spring training at full health in 2021 with an eye on claiming a rotation spot.

Jimmy Lambert - 60-Day IL - Forearm

8/3 3:27 PM EST - Lambert (forearm) will be reevaluated in six weeks, James Fegan of The Athletic reports. Lambert was working his way back from Tommy John surgery when he suffered a forearm strain. Given that he won't even be reevaluated for another six weeks, his chances of appearing at any point this season appear quite slim, as there are already just eight weeks left in the regular season.

Reynaldo Lopez - 10-Day IL - Shoulder

8/4 3:50 PM EST - Lopez (shoulder) will begin a throwing program Wednesday, Daryl Van Schouwen of the Chicago Sun-Times reports. Lopez has been dealing with right shoulder inflammation and received treatment for several days to help his recovery. The right-hander will throw Wednesday for the first time since suffering the injury, after which a better timetable for his return could come into focus.

Nick Madrigal - 10-Day IL - Shoulder

8/5 2:12 PM EST - Madrigal was diagnosed with a separated left shoulder and will be placed on the 10-day injured list, Daryl Van Schouwen of the Chicago Sun-Times reports. The 23-year-old suffered the injury Tuesday as his left arm was jammed into the ground on a feet-first slide attempt. Madrigal is expected to be sidelined for at least a few weeks, but the White Sox hope he'll be able to return by the end of August. Tim Anderson (groin) is also on the IL, leaving Leury Garcia and Danny Mendick as the top options to work in the middle infield.

Kade Mechals - Out - Elbow

6/11 5:50 PM EST - The White Sox have selected Mechals (elbow) with the 112th overall pick in the 2020 first-year player draft. Mechals wasn't listed among MLB.com's Top 200 players nor Baseball America's Top 500, but the White Sox believe they have found a diamond in the rough. The results were there for Mechals, who posted a 2.19 ERA and 118:42 K:BB across 107 innings at Grand Canyon University. Per James Fegan of The Athletic, Mechals underwent Tommy John surgery in May, so if he signs with the Sox, he may not be ready to debut in the minors until the second half of the 2021 season.

A.J. Puckett - Out - Elbow

3/25 2:02 PM EST - Puckett posted March 13 on his personal Instagram account that he underwent Tommy John surgery. Puckett didn't pitch at all in 2018 while trying to rehab from elbow pain but ultimately opted to go under the knife this spring after failing to show significant improvement. The 2016 second-round pick has yet to pitch above the High-A level and will likely turn 25 years old by the time he's ready for competitive action, effectively taking him off the radar as a prospect.

Carlos Rodon - 10-Day IL - Shoulder

8/5 2:30 PM EST - Preliminary scans on Rodon's shoulder came back clean, Daryl Van Schouwen of the Chicago Sun-Times reports. Rodon landed on the injured list earlier in the week after experiencing shoulder soreness during his second start of the season. Fortunately, it doesn't sound like the right-hander is dealing with anything more than soreness; according to general manager Rick Hahn, Rodon could be back with the team in a matter of a few weeks. The White Sox have not yet announced who will replace Rodon in the rotation for the time being.

Jose Ruiz - 10-Day IL - Undisclosed

7/16 2:20 PM EST - Ruiz (undisclosed) rejoined the White Sox on Thursday, LaMond Pope of the Chicago Tribune reports. Ruiz was placed on the 10-day injured list Friday for an undisclosed, but he was cleared to resume work with the team Thursday. The 25-year-old will join the White Sox's taxi squad in Schaumburg ahead of the regular season. Ruiz made 40 appearances (one start) for the White Sox last season, posting a 5.63 ERA and 2.00 WHIP over 40 innings.

Hunter Schryver - Out - Elbow

2/20 11:04 AM EST - Schryver (elbow) underwent successful Tommy John surgery Thursday, Scott Merkin of MLB.com reports. The southpaw is expected to make a full recovery in 12-to-18 months, keeping him out of commission for the entire 2020 season and likely a good portion of 2021 as well. Schryver split the 2019 campaign between Triple-A Charlotte and Double-A Binghamton, turning in a 4.04 ERA and 1.48 WHIP across 41 relief appearances between the two stops.

Milwaukee Brewers

Ray Black - 10-Day IL - Shoulder

7/22 9:10 AM EST - Manager Craig Counsell said Wednesday that he expects Black (shoulder) to head to the Brewers' alternate training site in Appleton next week to resume throwing, Todd Rosiak of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports. Though Black was placed on the injured list Tuesday after being diagnosed with a strained right rotator cuff, Counsell said the reliever won't be in store for a "big shutdown." Black will likely be limited to playing catch off flat ground initially when he arrives at Appleton, but if his shoulder responds well to throwing, he could graduate to mound work soon after. Before the injury took him out of the mix for the Opening Day roster, Black was projected to work in middle relief for the Brewers.

Ryan Braun - 10-Day IL - Finger

8/3 4:20 PM EST - Braun (finger) is expected to be activated from the 10-day injured list when first eligible Aug. 10, Will Sammon of The Athletic reports. He is on the IL with an infected right index finger. In the meantime, Logan Morrison and Ryon Healy have been getting extra starts at designated hitter. Upon Braun's activation, manager Craig Counsell said he will get some outfield starts as well, particularly after Lorenzo Cain opted out of the season.

Lorenzo Cain - Out - Opt Out

8/2 4:04 PM EST - The Brewers placed Cain (personal) on the restricted list Saturday. Cain's addition to the restricted list was a formality after he informed the team Saturday that he would opt out of the 2020 season. The Brewers are expected to proceed with Ben Gamel as their primary center fielder for the remainder of the campaign.

Nathan Kirby - Day-To-Day - Neck

3/7 8:20 AM EST - Kirby (neck/rib) is throwing live batting practice sessions, the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports. Kirby missed all of the 2019 season after undergoing thoracic outlet surgery and then fracturing a rib, but he has been able to get up on the mound this spring. Injuries have been the name of the game for Kirby, who has appeared in just 32 minor-league games since being selected 40th overall in 2015. In an effort to keep him healthy, the Brewers will use Kirby exclusively as a reliever moving forward.

Caden Lemons - Out - Hip

8/21 6:47 PM EST - Lemons underwent right hip surgery earlier in August and will be out for the rest of the season, Adam McCalvy of MLB.com reports. Lemons never saw game action in 2019 but is expected to be ready to go come spring training. The 20-year-old has a 4.26 ERA, 1.48 WHIP and 28:14 K:BB through his first 13 games in rookie ball since being drafted 46th overall in the 2017 draft..

Shelby Miller - Out - Opt Out

8/3 1:52 PM EST - Miller opted out of the 2020 season Monday. Miller didn't make the Brewers' Opening Day roster and was working at the team's alternate training site in Appleton. However, he'll elect to sit out the remainder of the season in the midst of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. The 29-year-old signed a minor-league deal with the Brewers during the offseason but should be ready to compete for a role with a major-league pitching staff ahead of the 2021 campaign.

Angel Perdomo - Out - Illness

7/11 5:22 PM EST - Perdomo (illness) was placed on the injured list Saturday, Adam McCalvy of MLB.com reports. While the Brewers didn't specify a reason for the transaction, Perdomo tested positive for COVID-19 prior to the start of camp, which is presumably related to this move. It's unclear when he's expected to get back on the field.

Luis Urias - Covid-19 - Not Injury Related

7/25 8:28 AM EST - Urias (illness) has been cleared to work out at the Brewers' alternate training site, Adam McCalvy of MLB.com reports. Urias missed the entirety of summer camp after testing positive for COVID-19, but he'll now be able to work toward building up to game readiness. Manager Craig Counsell said Saturday that Urias is a "full go" but also said that it will still take some time before he's ready to return to regular-season action. After being acquired by the Padres via trade in November, Urias should compete with Brock Holt for the top utility infield job when he's healthy.

Freddy Zamora - Out - Knee

6/11 2:56 PM EST - The Brewers have selected Zamora (knee) with the 53rd overall pick in the 2020 first-year player draft. One of the best defensive shortstops in the class, Zamora has a well-rounded skill set, but he didn't play collegiately in 2020 after tearing his ACL. He hit .300 with an 11.3 percent walk rate and 9.3 percent strikeout rate at Miami, and he went from one home run as a freshman to six home runs as a sophomore. Zamora also put his above-average speed to work, going 33-for-40 (82.5 percent) on stolen-base attempts over 104 games. It's unclear if he will have the same burst and athleticism when he returns to action. If he maxes out, he could be an everyday shortstop that hits 15-20 home runs and steals 15-20 bases while making enough contact to hit around .270.

Noah Zavolas - Out - Undisclosed

8/15 1:02 PM EST - Zavolas was placed on the injured list for High-A Carolina retroactive to Aug. 14. It's not clear what landed Zavolas on the injured list, but he has not pitched in a week, and will miss more time due to his injury. Zavolas is throwing well in his first season in the Milwaukee organization, going 6-5 with a 2.98 ERA, 1.14 WHIP, and 102:23 K:BB in 133 innings over 22 starts.

Chicago White Sox Expected Lineup

SP - Gio Gonzalez

1. Luis Robert

2. Yoan Moncada

3. Jose Abreu

4. Yasmani Grandal

5. Edwin Encarnacion

6. Eloy Jimenez

7. Nomar Mazara

8. Leury Garcia

9. Danny Mendick

Milwaukee Brewers Expected Lineup

SP - Josh Lindblom

1. Avisail Garcia

2. Christian Yelich

3. Keston Hiura

4. Justin Smoak

5. Jedd Gyorko

6. Omar Narvaez

7. Ryon Healy

8. Ben Gamel

9. Orlando Arcia

Top Picks From Each Team

Luis Robert, White Sox: Robert has been one of the most productive bats in the American League to start the season, and he already has a sizable lead in the race to earn AL Rookie Of The Year honors. The 23-year-old is hitting .354 with two homers, six RBI, four stolen bases and eight runs scored in 48 at-bats so far.

Christian Yelich, Brewers: Yelich has hit .316 in 19 previous at-bats against Gio Gonzalez, and that should boost his confidence ahead of this matchup. The NL MVP candidate is enduring a tough start to the season, however, hitting just .088 with three hits in 34 at-bats. Could this be the game in which he bounces back?

Captaincy Options

1. Luis Robert
2. Eloy Jimenez
3. Christian Yelich
4. Yoan Moncada

Dream11 Team

P – Gio Gonzalez

C – Yasmani Grandal

IF – Yoan Moncada

IF – Jose Abreu

IF – Justin Smoak

IF – Keston Hiura

OF – Luis Robert (C)

OF – Eloy Jimenez (VC)

OF – Christian Yelich