Corey Kluber (0-1, 2.49 ERA) takes the mound for the Cleveland Indians (5-8) as they meet Jeff Samardzija (0-1, 4.29 ERA) and the Chicago White Sox (5-8) in the last of a three-game series at U.S. Cellular Field. The Indians won the last game 6-2 and the series is currently tied 1-1. The game gets underway at 2:10 p.m. ET on Wednesday, Apr. 22 and will air on STO, CSN-CHI and MLB Network.
In his most recent outing, Samardzija pitched 8.0 innings, allowing one run and striking out seven in a 2-1 loss to the Tigers. Jose Abreu (.275, 6 Rs, 4 HRs, 9 RBIs) continued his strong season yesterday, going 2 for 4 with one run, one home run, and two RBIs. In his career against the White Sox, Kluber is 4-2 with a 3.09 ERA, 1.09 WHIP, and 59 strikeouts. Michael Brantley (.250, 2 Rs, 4 RBIs) has been hitting the ball well to start the season, going 2 for 4 yesterday with one run and one RBI.
Chicago is a +108 underdog in this game and the Over/Under (O/U) is set at seven runs. The White Sox perform poorly as an underdog with a 2-6 record and have an overall money line of -193. They have not performed well against their division, earning an SU record of 5-7 and a 2-6 record when they were the underdog. The Chicago pitching staff and defense is very good at home, only giving up 3.8 runs per game.
Across the field, the Indians have a subpar record of 2-5 when they are favored and are -549 overall with the money line. Over the past 10 matchups, they are 3-7 SU and have played poorly as the favorite with a 1-5 record. Cleveland’s pitching staff and defense as a whole has been firing on all cylinders so far, ranking fifth in the AL with only 4.2 runs allowed per game. They also have some of the most overpowering arms in baseball with an AL-high 10.1 strikeouts per game.
The White Sox will take on a right-hander (Kluber) in this game and have a 5-4 record against right-handed starting pitchers this season. The right-handed Samardzija will take the mound against the Indians, who have a 3-3 record against righty starters this season.
Predictions: SU Winner – CWS, O/U – Over
Notes
When leading after 7 innings, Cleveland is 3-2, while Chicago is 0-3.
The White Sox managed to give up five walks in their last game. They’ll have to pick it up against the Indians who are coming in with a 1-2 record against opponents who give up that many walks or more.
When they are outhit, the White Sox are 0-7. The Indians have a 1-6 record when opponents outhit them.
Tied at 19th for total home runs, Chicago and Cleveland have each hit 11 homers this season.
Ranking 11th, Cleveland is in the top half of the league in hits, notching 7.33 per game. Chicago ranks in the top 10 at ninth with 8.00.
Ranking 26th, Cleveland is near the bottom of the league for its on-base plus slugging percentage (.622). Chicago ranks in the bottom half at 20th with an OPS of .671.
The Indians are 3-6 in games where they allow one or more home runs. The White Sox are 2-7 when they allow at least one homer.
