Chris Sale (12-8, 3.31 ERA), attemping to pick up his 200th strikeout of the season, is on the hill for the Chicago White Sox (67-73) as they square off against Kyle Gibson (9-10, 3.87 ERA) and the Minnesota Twins (73-68) in the last of a three-game series at U.S. Cellular Field. The White Sox won the last game 8-2 and the series is currently tied 1-1. Action begins at 2:10 p.m. ET on Sunday, Sep. 13 and can be seen on CSCh and FSN.
Sale pitched 7.0 innings in his last outing, surrendering three runs, striking out eight and walking one in a 3-2 defeat to the Indians. Adam Eaton (.274, 85 Rs, 13 HRs, 46 RBIs, 14 SBs) had another good game yesterday, going 3 for 5 with one run and one RBI. Gibson went 8.0 innings, surrendering four runs, striking out four and walking two in a 4-2 defeat to the Royals in his most recent start. Trevor Plouffe (.248, 65 Rs, 20 HRs, 77 RBIs, 2 SBs) has been successful at the plate, going 2 for 3 yesterday with one RBI.
This one isn’t expected to be close when Chicago, a substantial -190 favorite, takes on Minnesota. According to the oddsmakers, the Over/Under (O/U) is currently seven runs. The White Sox have an overall money line of -881 and a record as the favorite of 31-30. Chicago has gone winless in its last 10 as the favorite. The White Sox have seen an uptick in scoring as of late, averaging 5.2 runs during the last 10 games compared to their season average of 3.9 runs per game. The White Sox are one of the best in the MLB in terms of extra base hits with 371. Turning to the pitchers, opponents have consistently been struck out by the White Sox, who rank third in the AL in strikeouts per game with 8.4.
In games where it is the underdog, Minnesota has a 57-56 record and an overall money line of +2,235. They are 23-23 as the underdog against AL Central rivals, and 31-27 SU. When it comes to issuing walks, the Twins have the second-fewest in the AL with an average of just 2.5 walks allowed per game.
The Twins lead the season series, 12-6. The White Sox have a 51-58 record against right-handed starting pitchers on the year, which is what they’ll be facing when Gibson takes the mound. Sale (LHP) will be on the hill against the Twins, who have a 25-22 record against left-handed starting pitchers.
Predictions: SU Winner – CWS, O/U – Over
Notes
For the 15th time this season, the Twins registered at least two errors in a game.
The White Sox managed to give up five walks in their last game. They’ll have to pick it up against the Twins who are coming in with a 13-6 record against opponents who give up that many walks or more.
When they are outhit, the White Sox are 10-56. The Twins have a 15-58 record when opponents outhit them.
Ranking 24th in home runs, Chicago has hit 118 this season. Minnesota ranks 17th with 136 home runs.
Ranking 13th, Minnesota is in the top half of the league in hits, notching 8.33 per game. Chicago ranks in the top 10 at seventh with 8.65.
Chicago and Minnesota both rank near the bottom of the league for their on-base plus slugging percentage. Chicago sits at 26th with an OPS of .694 and Minnesota ranks 24th with an OPS of .704.
When the Twins allow at least one home run, they are 40-52. When the White Sox allow one or more homers, they have a 32-56 record.
