Chicago White Sox are getting Munetaka Murakami back at the right time to BOOST a slumping lineup

Munataka Murakami returns to the lineup just as the team battles through offensive woes against left-handed pitching and a sweep by the Boston Red Sox. Will Murakami’s powerful bat help reignite the explosive trio of Miguel Vargas, Colson Montgomery, and jumpstart the South Siders’ playoff push ahead of the All-Star break? Host Todd Welter examines how Jordan Hicks’ dominant stretch since coming off the injured list could ease bullpen pressure and reshape trade deadline priorities. Hot topics include the ongoing struggles of Junior Pérez, the polarizing fan opinions on Andrew Benintendi, and which roster moves are needed to keep momentum alive. Poll results, player roles, and prospects like Tanner McDougal’s shift to the bullpen all come into play as the White Sox eye key matchups against the Oakland Athletics—can they avoid fading before the break? 00:00 White Sox Lineup Struggles Season context, team struggles against Boston, importance of Munetaka Murakami's return, lineup construction vs. lefties. 09:38 Jordan Hicks’ Bullpen Boost Jordan Hicks' dominance since returning from injury, bullpen analysis, implications for trade deadline strategy. 19:00 Fan Poll Reactions Fan polls on Andrew Benintendi and roster moves, underrated players, All-Star break opinions. Everydayer Club If you never miss an episode, it’s time to make it official. Join the Locked On Everydayer Club and get ad-free audio, access to our members-only Discord, and more — all built for our most loyal fans. Click here to learn more and join your team’s community: https://lockedonwhitesox.supercast.com Support Us By Supporting Our Sponsors! Amazon This Back To School Season, spend less on your kids, with Amazon. With Amazon’s low Back To School Prices, just spend less on your kids. Because every dollar you don’t spend on them, is a dollar you haven’t spent on them.  Proton It’s easy to get started. Right now, Proton VPN is offering our listeners 70% off a two-year plan when you go to https://ProtonVPN.com/LOCKEDONMLB. Odoo Great organizations win because operations matter. And that’s why you should get Odoo. Try for free today at https://Odoo.com/lockedon. Indeed Listeners of this show get a $75 Sponsored Job Credit to help give your job the premium placement it deserves at https://Indeed.com/podcast KALSHI For a limited time, download the Kalshi app and use code LOCKEDON to get ten dollars when you trade ten. Kalshi. Trade on anything. Gametime Today's episode is brought to you by Gametime. Download the Gametime app, create an account, and use code LOCKEDON for $20 off your first purchase. Terms and conditions apply. FanDuel Today's episode is brought to you by FanDuel. From the opening whistle to the final kick, Let There Be Goals on FanDuel. Visit https://FANDUEL.COM to get started now.   FANDUEL DISCLAIMER: 21+ in select states. First online real money wager only. Bonus issued as nonwithdrawable free bets that expires in 14 days. Restrictions apply. See terms at sportsbook.fanduel.com. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER or visit FanDuel.com/RG (CO, IA, MD, MI, NJ, PA, IL, VA, WV), 1-800-NEXT-STEP or text NEXTSTEP to 53342 (AZ), 1-888-789-7777 or visit ccpg.org/chat (CT), 1-800-9-WITH-IT (IN), 1-800-522-4700 (WY, KS) or visit ksgamblinghelp.com (KS), 1-877-770-STOP (LA), 1-877-8-HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY), TN REDLINE 1-800-889-9789 (TN) Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.