In the second of a three-game series between the Miami Marlins (60-55) and the Chicago White Sox (55-60) at Marlins Park, Adam Conley (8-6, 3.70 ERA) and James Shields (5-14, 5.43 ERA) get the start. The White Sox won the last game 4-2, and Chicago leads the series 1-0. The game starts at 7:10 p.m. ET on Saturday, Aug. 13 and will air on CSCh and FSFL.
In his most recent outing, Conley pitched 5.0 innings, allowing six runs, striking out two and walking four in a 10-7 victory over the Rockies. The White Sox were unsuccessful the last time Shields pitched. He did not do well, pitching 1.1 innings, allowing eight runs, striking out one and walking two in a 10-2 loss to the Orioles. Todd Frazier (.211, 64 Rs, 31 HRs, 72 RBIs, 8 SBs) went 1 for 4 yesterday with one run.
Miami, a -178 favorite, will look to capitalize at home against Chicago. The Over/Under (O/U) for the matchup is set at eight runs. When playing as the favorite, the Marlins have a 29-26 record and overall money line at +310. They come into the game with concerning records of 1-3 as the favorite and 4-7 SU against the American League. The Marlins seem to play better on offense against opponents from the AL, putting up an average of 5.5 runs per game, well over their season average of 4.3. The Marlins are a superb hitting team with an NL-best 9.4 hits per game. Turning to the pitching and defensive side, teams routinely struggle to score runs against the Marlins, who allow only 3.8 runs per home game.
Moving on to the away team, the White Sox come into this game with a weak win percentage of .393 when playing as the underdog (24-37) and an overall money line of -718. Over the past 10 matchups, the team is 3-7 SU and has played poorly as the underdog with a 2-7 record. Against the NL, Chicago’s offense has been struggling more than normal. Chicago has averaged 3.3 runs per game, less than their 4.0 season average. 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 1-0 against the Marlins. The Marlins will take on a right-hander (Shields) in this game and have a 41-47 record against right-handed starting pitchers this season. The left-handed Conley will take the mound against the White Sox, who have an 11-11 record against lefty starters this season.
Predictions: SU Winner – MIA, O/U – Over
Notes
The Marlins managed to give up six walks in their last game. They’ll have to pick it up against the White Sox who are coming in with a 9-3 record against opponents who give up that many walks or more.
When they are outhit, the White Sox are 8-45. The Marlins have a 7-37 record when opponents outhit them.
Miami and Chicago both rank near the bottom of the league in home runs. Miami sits at 28th with 94 home runs this season and Chicago ranks 24th with 114.
Ranking first in hits, Miami has earned 9.44 per game this season. Chicago ranks 10th with 8.54 hits.
Ranking 22nd, Chicago is near the bottom of the league for its on-base plus slugging percentage (.712). Miami ranks in the top half with an OPS of .737.
When the White Sox allow at least one home run, they are 31-42, well-matched with the Marlins who are 25-33 when allowing at least one homer.
