In the last of a four-game series between the Chicago White Sox (18-19) and the Cleveland Indians (18-19) at U.S. Cellular Field, John Danks (2-3, 4.66 ERA) and Danny Salazar (4-1, 4.06 ERA) take the mound. The Indians won the last game 4-3 and Cleveland leads the series 2-1. The game gets underway at 8:10 p.m. ET on Thursday, May. 21 and will air on STO and CSN-CHI.
Danks is 5-12 with a 5.16 ERA and 1.42 WHIP against the Indians in his career. Jose Abreu (.293, 20 Rs, 6 HRs, 22 RBIs) went 1 for 4 yesterday with one run. In his pitching opportunities against the White Sox, Salazar is 2-1 with a 5.09 ERA, 33 strikeouts and eight walks. Michael Brantley (.331, 20 Rs, 4 HRs, 25 RBIs, 6 SBs) went 1 for 4 yesterday with two RBIs.
Chicago is a slight underdog (-101) and the Over/Under (O/U) is set at eight runs. The White Sox are 8-11 as the underdog and have an overall money line of -98. Over the last 10 games, they have had a very good record when playing as the underdog (4-1). Over their past 10 games, Chicago’s offense has been playing lights out, averaging 4.8 runs per game, well over their season average of 3.8.
On the other side, the Indians have a subpar record of 9-14 when they are favored and are -1,217 overall with the money line. Against divisional foes, they are 8-17 SU and have played poorly as the favorite with a 4-11 record. Cleveland has an eye for the strike zone on the road, ranking 3.2 in the AL with fifth walks per game. The Indians are a problem for opposing batters, sporting a 3.75 ERA on the road this season. They also have some of the most overpowering arms in baseball with an AL-high 9.7 strikeouts per game.
This game will feature Salazar (RHP) on the mound against the White Sox, who have a 15-14 record when they take on a right-handed starter. The left-handed Danks will take the mound against the Indians. Against lefty starters this season, they have an awful 5-10 record.
Predictions: SU Winner – CLE, O/U – Over
Notes
In their last game, the Indians won by a margin of one run. The White Sox are 8-4 in one-run games. The Indians have a 1-4 record in close games.
When the White Sox play into extra innings, they have a 1-1 record. The Indians are 0-2 when their games exceed nine innings.
The Indians are coming into this game after allowing two walks during their last outing. The White Sox have a 9-14 record when opponents give up that many walks or fewer.
When they are outhit, the Indians are 2-18. The White Sox have a 3-16 record when opponents outhit them.
Chicago ranks near the bottom of the league at 29th when it comes to home runs, hitting 25 this season. Cleveland ranks in the bottom half at 18th with 34.
Chicago and Cleveland both rank in the top 10 of the league in hits. Chicago sits at seventh with 8.58 hits per game and Cleveland ranks eighth with 8.50.
Ranking 26th, Chicago is near the bottom of the league for its on-base plus slugging percentage (.669). Cleveland ranks in the top half at 14th with an OPS of .717.
When the Indians allow at least one home run, they are 12-17, well-matched with the White Sox who are 10-14 when allowing at least one homer.
