Though he has a career ERA of 5.89 in the month of April, Gavin Floyd has started the 2011 season in excellent fashion. Floyd is currently 1-0 with a 2.40 ERA and 0.93 WHIP. He'll make his third start today against the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim as the White Sox try to bounce back from Friday night's loss.
Floyd has a mixed record against the Angels. Over six starts he's 2-3 with a 3.68 ERA and 1.07 WHIP. Of the current Angels lineup, only Vernon Wells and Maicer Izturis hit Floyd well. Wells has a .333 average and 1.108 OPS against Floyd, with two doubles and a home run. Izturis is 5-for-17 with two doubles.
Taking the mound for the Angels will be rookie starter Tyler Chatwood. Chatwood will be making his second start of the year. In his first start against Cleveland he gave up four earned runs, on two home runs, over 5.0 innings pitched. He also walked four and struck out three. As a rookie, Chatwood has never faced any of the members of the White Sox lineup.
The question for today will be whether the Sox can hold the game together long enough to get past the shaky bullpen, which is currently ranked last in the league at an opponent batting average of .310.
The weather in Chicago is forecast to be cloudy and windy, with a chance of light showers and a high in the upper 40's. First pitch is at 2:10 P.M., CDT, and the game will be televised on Fox.