Tom Koehler (9-8, 3.83 ERA) and the Miami Marlins (60-56) meet Chris Sale (14-5, 3.16 ERA) and the Chicago White Sox (56-60) in the last of a three-game interleague series at Marlins Park. The White Sox won the last game 8-7, and Chicago leads the series 2-0. The game gets underway at 1:10 p.m. ET on Sunday, Aug. 14 and will air on WGN and FSFL.
In his most recent outing, Koehler pitched 7.0 innings, giving up zero runs, striking out six and walking three in a 2-0 victory over the Giants. Giancarlo Stanton (.244, 52 Rs, 25 HRs, 70 RBIs) continued his strong season yesterday, going 3 for 5 with one run, one home run, and three RBIs. The White Sox were also victorious the last time Sale pitched. He went 7.0 innings, allowing three runs, striking out seven and walking one in a 7-5 victory over the Royals. Todd Frazier (.211, 64 Rs, 31 HRs, 72 RBIs, 8 SBs) went 1 for 4 yesterday.
Miami, a +128 underdog, will look to capitalize at home against Chicago. The matchup currently has a seven-run Over/Under (O/U). The Marlins are 31-28 as the underdog and have an overall money line of +18. They are 1-3 as the underdog over their last 10 games. Miami’s offense has been playing lights out against teams in the AL, putting up an average of 5.3 runs per game, well over their season average of 4.3. The Marlins lead the NL in hits with 9.4 per game. As for the Miami defense and pitching staff, teams routinely struggle to score runs against the Marlins, who allow only 3.8 runs per home game.
On the other side, the White Sox have a record of 30-23 when they are favored and are -446 overall with the money line. When playing interleague competitors, they have a 1-3 record as the favorite and 8-7 SU. Chicago’s pitching staff and defense as a whole have been firing on all cylinders so far, ranking fifth in the AL with only 4.3 runs allowed per game.
So far this season, the White Sox are 2-0 against the Marlins. The Marlins will take on a left-hander (Sale) in this game. They have done very well against left-handed starting pitchers this season (19-8), especially at home where they have a 10-4 record. Taking the hill against the White Sox will be the right-hander Koehler. They sport a 44-49 record against righties.
Predictions: SU Winner – CWS, O/U – Over
Notes
When leading after seven innings, Chicago is 27-25, while Miami is 25-26.
The White Sox are coming into this game after allowing one walk during their last outing. The Marlins have a 9-17 record when opponents give up one walk or less.
When they are outhit, the Marlins are 7-37. The White Sox have a 9-45 record when opponents outhit them.
Both falling near the bottom of the league based on total home runs this season, Miami ranks 28th with 96 homers and Chicago is 24th with 115.
Miami ranks at the top of the league when it comes to hits with 9.39 per game this season. Chicago ranks in the top 10 with 8.57.
Ranking 22nd, Chicago is near the bottom of the league for its on-base plus slugging percentage (.714). Miami ranks in the top half at 14th with an OPS of .740.
The White Sox are 32-42 when they allow at least one home run. The Marlins perform similarly when they allow one or more homers with a 25-34 record.
