Anthony Ranaudo (1-1, 9.42 ERA) and the Chicago White Sox (60-65) go up against James Paxton (4-5, 3.53 ERA) and the Seattle Mariners (67-59) in the first of a four-game series at U.S. Cellular Field. The game gets underway at 8:10 p.m. ET on Thursday, Aug. 25 and will air on CSCh and RTNW.
In his last start, Ranaudo pitched 4.0 innings, allowing five runs, striking out two and walking one in a 10-7 victory over the Indians. Jose Abreu (.285, 49 Rs, 17 HRs, 70 RBIs) went 1 for 4 yesterday with one run. The Mariners were also victorious the last time Paxton pitched. He had a good outing, pitching 8.1 innings, giving up one runs (one unearned), striking out six and walking one in a 3-1 victory over the Angels. Robinson Cano (.297, 82 Rs, 28 HRs, 79 RBIs) has been doing well, going 2 for 4 yesterday.
Chicago, a +141 underdog, will look to capitalize at home against Seattle. Oddsmakers have set the Over/Under (O/U) at nine runs. When playing as the underdog, the White Sox have a 27-40 record and overall money line at -459.
Moving on to the opposing team, the Mariners come into this game with a win percentage of .551 when playing as the favorite (38-31) and an overall money line of +158. The Mariners are one of the top road hitting teams in the AL, averaging 9.2 hits in games away from home. Seattle has an eye for the strike zone, ranking fifth in the AL with 3.1 walks per game. Seattle’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.
In their previous three games this season, the Mariners have a 2-1 record. This game will feature Paxton (LHP) on the mound against the White Sox, who have a 13-11 record when they take on a left-handed starter. Taking the hill against the Mariners will be the right-hander Ranaudo. They sport a 48-33 record against righties.
Predictions: SU Winner – SEA, O/U – Over
Notes
The White Sox are coming into this game after allowing one walk during their last outing. The Mariners have a 12-20 record when opponents give up one walk or less.
When they are outhit, the White Sox are 9-49. The Mariners have a 14-41 record when opponents outhit them.
Ranking 24th in home runs, Chicago has hit 125 this season. Seattle ranks fourth with 175 home runs.
Chicago and Seattle both rank in the top 10 of the league in hits. Chicago sits at 10th with 8.60 hits per game and Seattle ranks seventh with 8.87.
Ranking 25th, Chicago is near the bottom of the league for its on-base plus slugging percentage (.715). Seattle ranks in the top 10 with an OPS of .760.
The Mariners are 44-49 when they allow at least one home run. The White Sox perform similarly when they allow one or more homers with a 36-44 record.
