Colby Lewis (4-3, 4.70 ERA) and the Texas Rangers (26-25) go up against Jeff Samardzija (4-2, 3.84 ERA) and the Chicago White Sox (23-26) in the first of a three-game series at Globe Life Park in Arlington. The game starts at 8:05 p.m. ET on Tuesday, Jun. 2 and will air on CSN-CHI+ and FSN-SW.
Lewis is 5-3 with a 4.40 ERA, 54 strikeouts and 16 walks against the White Sox in his career. Prince Fielder (.359, 25 Rs, 10 HRs, 38 RBIs) went 1 for 4 Sunday with one run. In his career against the Rangers, Samardzija is 0-1 with a 3.00 ERA, 0.80 WHIP, and 19 strikeouts. Jose Abreu (.282, 25 Rs, 8 HRs, 29 RBIs) has been hitting the ball well for the White Sox, going 2 for 4 Sunday with one run.
Oddsmakers have deemed this game an even matchup and the Over/Under (O/U) is unavailable at the moment. Over their past 10 games, Texas’s offense has been playing lights out, averaging 6.7 runs per game, well over their season average of 4.6. The Rangers have one of the most prolific offenses in the entire AL, averaging 4.6 runs per game. The Rangers rank fourth in the majors in extra base hits with 155.
Chicago is one of the top road hitting teams in the AL with an average of 8.7 hits per contest. Opposing pitchers have routinely struggled to strike out the Chicago batters, who rank fourth in the AL with 7.0 strikeouts per road game. The Chicago pitching staff has been an intimidating group this year, averaging 8.0 strikeouts per game.
The Rangers will take on a right-hander (Samardzija) in this game and have an 18-15 record against right-handed starting pitchers this season. Taking the hill against the White Sox will be the right-hander Lewis. They sport a 20-21 record against righties.
Predictions: SU Winner – TEX
Notes
Texas has won 48% (12-13) of its games when leading after 7 innings. However, Chicago has won 53% (9-8) of its games when taking a late lead.
The Rangers are coming into this game after allowing two walks during their last outing. The White Sox have a 13-19 record when opponents give up that many walks or fewer.
When they are outhit, the White Sox are 4-21. The Rangers have a 5-20 record when opponents outhit them.
Chicago ranks near the bottom of the league at 28th when it comes to home runs, hitting 32 this season. Texas ranks in the top 10 at eighth with 55.
Texas and Chicago both rank in the top 10 of the league in hits. Texas sits at seventh with 8.49 hits per game and Chicago ranks ninth with 8.43.
Ranking 29th, Chicago is near the bottom of the league for its on-base plus slugging percentage (.655). Texas ranks in the top half at 13th with an OPS of .721.
When the White Sox allow at least one home run, they are 12-20, well-matched with the Rangers who are 12-21 when allowing at least one homer.
