Danny Salazar (11-4, 3.38 ERA) and the Cleveland Indians (68-50) go up against Carlos Rodon (3-8, 4.32 ERA) and the Chicago White Sox (57-62) in the last of a three-game division series at Progressive Field. The White Sox won the last game 10-7, and the series is currently tied 1-1. The game starts at 7:10 p.m. ET on Thursday, Aug. 18 and will air on STOh and CSCh.
In his most recent outing, Salazar pitched 2.0 innings, giving up six runs, striking out three and walking two in a 12-5 loss to the Twins. The White Sox were victorious over the Marlins 4-2 the last time Rodon pitched. He went 6.0 innings, allowing one run, striking out four and walking three. Todd Frazier (.210, 66 Rs, 31 HRs, 74 RBIs, 9 SBs) has been hitting the ball well for the White Sox, going 2 for 4 yesterday with two runs and two RBIs.
Cleveland is a -178 favorite in this game and the Over/Under (O/U) is eight runs. The Indians have a winning record of 53-34 when playing as the favorite and an overall money line of +783. They are 6-1 as the favorite over their last 10 games. They have been a terror on the base paths, ranking third in all of baseball with 102 steals. Turning to the pitching and defensive side, teams routinely struggle to score runs against the Indians, who allow only 4.2 runs per game. The Indians don’t give up many hits to opposing batters, leading the AL with only 8.2 hits allowed per game.
Moving on to the away team, the White Sox come into this game with a win percentage of .406 when playing as the underdog (26-38) and an overall money line of -696. Against divisional opponents, they are 19-28 SU and have played poorly as the underdog with a 4-16 record.
The Indians have gotten the best of the White Sox in head-to-head matchups this season, going 8-3. This game will feature Rodon (LHP) on the mound against the Indians, who have a 13-5 home and 23-12 overall record when they take on a left-handed starter. Taking the hill against the White Sox will be the right-hander Salazar. They sport a 44-51 record against righties.
Predictions: SU Winner – CLE, O/U – Over
Notes
Cleveland recorded at least two errors for the 18th time this season.
The Indians are coming into this game after allowing one walk during their last outing. The White Sox have a 14-27 record when opponents give up one walk or less.
When they are outhit, the White Sox are 9-46. The Indians have an 8-35 record when opponents outhit them.
Ranking 24th in home runs, Chicago has hit 120 this season. Cleveland ranks ninth with 154 home runs.
Ranking 10th, Chicago is in the top 10 of the league in hits, notching 8.58 per game. Cleveland ranks in the top five at third with 9.18.
Ranking 22nd, Chicago is near the bottom of the league for its on-base plus slugging percentage (.716). Cleveland ranks in the top five at fourth with an OPS of .776.
The White Sox are 33-42 when they allow at least one home run. The Indians perform similarly when they allow one or more homers with a 42-44 record.
