Chris Sale (12-7, 3.34 ERA), seeking his 200th strikeout of the season, gets the ball for the Chicago White Sox (59-65) as they go up against Rick Porcello (5-11, 5.81 ERA) and the Boston Red Sox (57-69) in the last of a three-game series at U.S. Cellular Field. The White Sox won the last game 5-4 and the series is currently tied 1-1. The game gets underway at 8:10 p.m. ET on Wednesday, Aug. 26 and will air on WPWR and NESN.
In his most recent outing, Sale pitched 7.0 innings, allowing three runs, striking out 14 and walking one in an 11-4 victory over the Mariners. Jose Abreu (.295, 74 Rs, 24 HRs, 77 RBIs) went 1 for 4 yesterday with one run. The Red Sox were unsuccessful the last time Porcello pitched. He did not do well, pitching 2.0 innings, giving up five runs (one unearned), striking out two and walking one in a 9-2 loss to the White Sox.
Chicago, a -173 favorite, will look to capitalize at home against Boston. The Over/Under (O/U) for the matchup is set at seven runs. When playing as the favorite, the White Sox have a 28-25 record and overall money line at -828. The White Sox are a dangerous hitting team with 329 extra base hits, one of the highest totals in the MLB.
Across the field, the Red Sox have a record of 24-29 when they are the underdog and are -1,720 overall with the money line. During the last 10 games, they averaged 7.2 runs per game, above their 4.5 season average. Boston is one of the top hitting teams in the AL with an average of 9.2 hits per contest. Boston has an eye for the strike zone on the road, ranking 3.0 in the AL with fourth walks per game.
The White Sox have mostly come out on top against the Red Sox in their previous six games this season, earning a 4-2 record. This game will feature Porcello (RHP) on the mound against the White Sox, who have a 47-51 record when they take on a right-handed starter. The left-handed Sale will take the mound against the Red Sox, who have a 14-20 record against lefty starters this season.
Predictions: SU Winner – CWS, O/U – Over
Notes
Chicago recorded at least two errors for the 18th time this season.
The White Sox are coming into this game after allowing zero walks during their last outing. The Red Sox have a 2-9 record when opponents give up that many walks.
When they are outhit, the Red Sox are 11-58. The White Sox have a 10-48 record when opponents outhit them.
Chicago ranks near the bottom of the league at 23rd when it comes to home runs, hitting 104 this season. Boston ranks in the top half at 15th with 120.
Ranking 10th, Chicago is in the top 10 of the league in hits, notching 8.56 per game. Boston ranks in the top five at second with 9.23.
Ranking 27th, Chicago is near the bottom of the league for its on-base plus slugging percentage (.690). Boston ranks in the top 10 at sixth with an OPS of .740.
The Red Sox are 30-57 when they allow at least one home run. The White Sox perform similarly when they allow one or more homers with a 27-48 record.
