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After a late loss yesterday to San Francisco, lefty Sean Newcomb makes his second White Sox start since signing a one-year deal in December, looking to carry over the momentum he built in the Athletics’ bullpen in 2025. Newcomb primarily began his professional career as a starter before shifting into the bullpen for 32 games with the Atlanta Braves in 2021, while still making spot starts where needed.
With the A’s last season, Newcomb found his footing in the pen and propelled himself to one of the league’s top-five relievers after dominating 51 1/3 innings in 36 games while sustaining a 1.75 ERA and efficient 1.032 WHIP. The southpaw is expected to bolster himself as a cornerstone of the bullpen if he can maintain the progress that he built up and continue to avoid injuries. For a Chicago team that struggled so much late in games on the mound and experienced way too many one-run losses, coaches and fans are hopeful that Newcomb can promote stability into the relief staff.
On the bright side for Newcomb, the South Side offense has been raking this spring. They’ve so far ranked fourth overall in batting average, fifth in slugging percentage, and sixth in OPS, while also holding the top BA and SLG % in the American League. If you’d told me this a year ago, I’d probably have assumed you were crazy. Edgar Quero was steady last year, but he’s on fire now, slashing .529/.556/.824 (1.380 OPS) in five games (17 at-bats) and starting this afternoon behind the plate in the cleanup spot.
Chase Meidroth, Colson Montgomery, and Miguel Vargas are holding down the top of the order, respectively. While Chase and Colson have had a slower start to Spring Training, this is definitely the time to work on their swings and shake off the rust before the season starts. Vargas has been solid, however, and holds the seventh-highest batting average on the team (.412) in 17 at-bats, including two doubles. LaMonte Wade Jr. will get some reps at first, while Austin Hays, Brooks Baldwin, and Dru Baker round out the outfield as manager Will Venable works to determine the best mix.
Here’s how the Good Guys are lining ‘em up today:
For the Padres, righthander Nick Pivetta will be taking the mound, also making his second start of the spring. His numbers are certainly not impressive in his tiny two-inning sample (three earned runs in two innings); however, it’s already well established that Pivetta’s consistency has propelled him as one of the stronger starting pitchers in the league. In 2025, he posted a 2.87 ERA and a 0.985 WHIP in 31 starts for the Friars (181 2/3 innings) and finished in the top 15 in strikeouts.
Prospects are making up the majority of the Padres lineup; however, 2024 All-Star Jackson Merrill is holding down the two-hole, while recently added DH Nick Castellanos will swing from the four-spot as he works to make a name for himself in San Diego.
Naturally, there doesn’t appear to be a broadcast; however, if you have an MLB.TV or MLB+ subscription, you can listen in via the Padres radio broadcast. Be sure to check back here later today for the full recap! Let’s get another spring W ahead of the World Baseball Classic.