Runs may be hard to come by in this one as Chris Sale (6-3, 3.01 ERA) and the Chicago White Sox (28-37) meet Nick Martinez (5-2, 2.76 ERA) and the Texas Rangers (36-31) in the first of a three-game series at U.S. Cellular Field. The White Sox enter this series looking to snap a seven-game losing streak. The game gets underway at 8:10 p.m. ET on Friday, Jun. 19 and will air on FSN-SW and CSN-CHI.
Sale is 4-2 with a 3.89 ERA and 1.05 WHIP against the Rangers in his career. Jose Abreu (.283, 34 Rs, 12 HRs, 40 RBIs) went 1 for 4 yesterday with one run. In his pitching opportunities against the White Sox, Martinez is 0-2 with a 12.96 ERA. He meets a struggling Chicago offense that’s batting just .236. Prince Fielder (.344, 34 Rs, 11 HRs, 47 RBIs) has been doing well offensively for the Rangers, going 2 for 4 yesterday with two runs, one home run, and one RBI.
Chicago is a considerable -185 favorite in this game and the Over/Under (O/U) is set at seven runs. The White Sox are 16-13 as the favorite and have an overall money line of -1,119. Chicago has been struggling as of late. In the last 10 games, Chicago has only averaged 2.5 runs per game compared to the 3.5 they’ve averaged on the season. As for the pitching staff, an area where the White Sox are particularly strong is striking batters out, where they average 8.1 K’s per game.
Moving on to the away team, the Rangers come into this game with a win percentage of .544 when playing as the underdog (31-26) and an overall money line of +1,823. The Rangers rank second in the AL in scoring, averaging 4.6 runs per game.
In their previous three games this season, the Rangers have a 2-1 record. The White Sox will take on a right-hander (Martinez) in this game and have a 23-29 record against right-handed starting pitchers this season. Taking the hill against the Rangers will be the left-hander Sale. They sport a 12-12 record against southpaws.
Predictions: SU Winner – TEX, O/U – Over
Notes
Texas has won 46% (13-15) of its games when leading after 7 innings. However, Chicago has won 48% (12-13) of its games when taking a late lead.
The White Sox are coming into this game after allowing two walks during their last outing. The Rangers have a 12-17 record when opponents give up that many walks or fewer.
When they are outhit, the White Sox are 6-30. The Rangers have a 7-26 record when opponents outhit them.
Ranking 28th in home runs, Chicago has hit 46 this season. Texas ranks 10th with 69 home runs.
Ranking 12th, Chicago is in the top half of the league in hits, notching 8.03 per game. Texas ranks in the top 10 at sixth with 8.58.
Ranking 29th, Chicago is near the bottom of the league for its on-base plus slugging percentage (.635). Texas ranks in the top half at 13th with an OPS of .719.
When the Rangers allow at least one home run, they are 18-25. When the White Sox allow one or more homers, they have a 14-26 record.
