Colby Lewis (2-0, 3.32 ERA) and Miguel Gonzalez (0-0, 8.44 ERA) start in the first of a three-game series between the Texas Rangers (18-14) and the Chicago White Sox (22-10) at Globe Life Park in Arlington. Action begins at 8:05 p.m. ET on Monday, May. 9 and can be seen on WPWR and FSSW.
Lewis pitched 7.0 innings in his last outing, surrendering three runs, striking out seven and walking one in a 4-3 defeat to the Blue Jays. Rougned Odor (.296, 22 Rs, 6 HRs, 20 RBIs, 4 SBs) had another good game yesterday, going 2 for 5 with one run. Gonzalez went 5.1 innings, surrendering five runs, striking out six and walking two in a 7-5 win over the Blue Jays in his most recent start. Avisail Garcia (.256, 16 Rs, 4 HRs, 11 RBIs) has been successful at the plate for the White Sox, going 2 for 3 yesterday with two runs.
The odds for Texas and Chicago are even, while the Over/Under (O/U) is unavailable as of now. The Rangers have seen an uptick in scoring as of late, averaging 0.0 runs during the last 10 games compared to their season average of 0.0 runs per game. Texas’s pitching staff has been doing better against opposing offenses during the last 10 games, only allowing an average of 0.0 runs per game, well under their season average of 0.0. Opponents have consistently been struck out by the Rangers, who rank third in the AL in strikeouts per game with 6.9.
Offensively, the White Sox have really picked up the pace in the last 10 games. They have exceeded their season average of 0.0 runs per game by averaging 0.0 during that stretch. The White Sox allow 0.0 runs per game, but have improved upon those numbers in the past 10 games, allowing 0.0 runs per game during that span. When it comes to preventing batters from getting on base, the White Sox are one of the best in the league with a WHIP of 1.147 for the season.
The White Sox have the edge in the season series, 3-0.
Predictions: SU Winner – CWS
Notes
The Rangers managed to give up five walks in their last game. They’ll have to pick it up against the White Sox who are coming in with an 8-1 record against opponents who give up that many walks or more.
When they are outhit, the White Sox are 3-10. The Rangers have a 5-11 record when opponents outhit them.
Ranking 21st in home runs, Chicago has hit 29 this season. Texas ranks 17th with 31 home runs.
Ranking 18th, Chicago is in the bottom half of the league in hits, notching 8.16 per game. Texas ranks in the top half at 11th with 8.62.
Texas and Chicago both rank in the bottom half of the league for their on-base plus slugging percentage. Texas sits at 16th with an OPS of .722, and Chicago ranks 19th with an OPS of .714.
When the White Sox allow at least one home run, they are 8-7. When the Rangers allow one or more homers, they have an 11-12 record.
