Runs may be hard to come by in this one as Cole Hamels (4-0, 2.68 ERA) and the Texas Rangers (19-15) meet Mat Latos (5-0, 2.62 ERA) and the Chicago White Sox (23-11) in the last of a three-game series at Globe Life Park in Arlington. The Rangers won the last game 13-11, and the series is currently tied 1-1. The game starts at 2:05 p.m. ET on Wednesday, May. 11 and will air on CSCh and FSSW.
In his most recent outing, Hamels pitched 7.0 innings, giving up zero runs, striking out nine and walking two in a 5-1 victory over the Tigers. Rougned Odor (.309, 25 Rs, 7 HRs, 21 RBIs, 4 SBs) played well again yesterday, going 3 for 5 with one run. The White Sox were victorious over the Twins 10-4 the last time Latos pitched. He went 5.0 innings, allowing four runs, striking out four and walking two. Todd Frazier (.218, 21 Rs, 10 HRs, 30 RBIs, 2 SBs) went 1 for 3 yesterday with two runs and three RBIs.
The odds are even for this game and the Over/Under (O/U) is presently unavailable. Texas has averaged 0.0 runs per game over the last 10 games, higher than its season average of 0.0. Texas’s pitching staff has put it all together in the past 10 games. Its average runs allowed per game dropped to 0.0 during that span, compared to its 0.0 season average. An area where the Rangers are particularly strong is striking batters out, where they average 6.9 K’s per game.
During the last 10 games, they averaged 0.0 runs per game, above their 0.0 season average. Chicago’s pitching staff has allowed an average of 0.0 runs per game during the last 10 games, lower than their season average of 0.0. They also average just 7.4 hits allowed per game, second-best in the AL.
The White Sox are 4-1 against the Rangers this season.
Predictions: SU Winner – CWS
Notes
The Rangers managed to give up seven walks in their last game. They’ll have to pick it up against the White Sox who are coming in with a 2-2 record against opponents who give up that many walks or more.
When they are outhit, the White Sox are 3-11. The Rangers have a 5-12 record when opponents outhit them.
Texas and Chicago both rank in the bottom half of the league in home runs. Texas sits at 16th with 35 home runs this season and Chicago ranks 18th with 31.
Texas and Chicago both rank in the top half of the league in hits. Texas sits at 11th with 8.64 hits per game and Chicago ranks 13th with 8.36.
Ranking 17th, Chicago is in the bottom half of the league for its on-base plus slugging percentage (.727). Texas ranks in the top half at 13th with an OPS of .738.
When the White Sox allow at least one home run, they are 9-8. When the Rangers allow one or more homers, they have an 11-13 record.
