In the first of a three-game series between the Chicago White Sox (4-7) and the Cleveland Indians (4-7) at U.S. Cellular Field, John Danks (0-2, 6.97 ERA) and Carlos Carrasco (1-1, 2.84 ERA) take the mound. The game starts at 8:10 p.m. ET on Monday, Apr. 20 and will air on STO and WPWR.
Danks has a 5.19 ERA and a 5-12 record in his career against the Indians, but is up against a less-than-stellar Cleveland offense that’s hitting just .221 on the year. Adam LaRoche (.243, 8 Rs, 3 HRs, 8 RBIs) went 1 for 4 yesterday. In his pitching opportunities against the White Sox, Carrasco is 2-5 with a 5.37 ERA. He gets a struggling Chicago offense that’s batting just .238. Carlos Santana (.244, 5 Rs, 2 HRs, 7 RBIs, 1 SB) went 1 for 4 yesterday with one run, one home run, and one RBI.
Chicago is a slight -110 favorite in this game and the Over/Under (O/U) is set at eight runs. The White Sox are in an interesting position this season. While they have a notable winning record in games where they’re the favorite (2-1), their overall money line (-193) is less impressive.
On the other side, the Indians have a record of 2-2 when they are the underdog and are -338 overall with the money line. Against fellow AL Central members, they are 2-5 SU and 1-1 as the underdog. Cleveland has stepped up their play against division opponents. They have averaged 3.7 runs per game, more than their season average of 3.3. Switching gears to Cleveland’s pitching staff, they have the lowest road ERA in the AL at 1.60. The Cleveland pitching staff has been an intimidating group on the road this year, averaging an AL-best 12.0 strikeouts per game.
The White Sox will take on a right-hander (Carrasco) in this game and have a 4-3 record against right-handed starting pitchers this season.
Predictions: SU Winner – CWS, O/U – Over
Notes
Chicago has lost all of its games (0-2) when leading after 7 innings. However, Cleveland has won 50% (2-2) of its games when taking a late lead.
Having scored one run in their last game, the White Sox are going to have to up their game if they want to win this matchup. The Indians have a 2-0 record in games where opponents scored that many runs or fewer.
When outhit, both the White Sox and the Indians have records of 0-7.
Ranking 26th in home runs, Cleveland has hit seven this season. Chicago ranks 19th with 10 home runs.
Chicago and Cleveland both rank in the top 10 of the league in hits. Chicago sits at seventh with 8.00 hits per game and Cleveland ranks 10th with 7.50.
Ranking 28th, Cleveland is near the bottom of the league for its on-base plus slugging percentage (.604). Chicago ranks in the bottom half at 18th with an OPS of .673.
When the Indians allow at least one home run, they are 2-6, well-matched with the White Sox who are 1-6 when allowing at least one homer.