Chris Sale (3-1, 4.36 ERA) and Trevor May (2-3, 5.15 ERA) start in the second of a three-game series between the Chicago White Sox (19-20) and the Minnesota Twins (23-18) at U.S. Cellular Field. The White Sox won the last game 3-2 and Chicago leads the series 1-0. Action begins at 4:10 p.m. ET on Saturday, May. 23 and can be seen on FSN-N and WGN.
Sale is 7-2 with a 3.28 ERA, 1.11 WHIP, and 80 strikeouts against the Twins. Jose Abreu (.291, 20 Rs, 6 HRs, 22 RBIs) went 1 for 4 yesterday. Against the White Sox, May is 3-0 with a 4.32 ERA, 1.38 WHIP, and 20 strikeouts. Torii Hunter (.281, 22 Rs, 6 HRs, 24 RBIs, 1 SB) went 1 for 4 yesterday with one run.
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 -357 and a record as the favorite of 10-8. Within its division, Chicago has a 7-7 record as favorite and an 11-17 record SU. The White Sox have seen a decline in scoring against teams inside their division, averaging 3.2 runs per game. They average 3.7 runs per game on the season. Opposing batters know they’re in for a battle when they play Chicago. The White Sox are one of the top teams when it comes to pitching, allowing just 3.6 runs per home game. Opponents have consistently been struck out by the White Sox, who rank fourth in the AL in strikeouts per game with 7.8.
In games where it is the underdog, Minnesota has a 17-15 record and an overall money line of +1,085. They are 12-12 as the underdog against AL Central opponents, and 14-14 SU. Offensively, they average 4.6 runs per game, which is good for third in the AL. The Twins are tough outs for opponents, ranking fourth in the AL with 8.8 hits per game. When it comes to issuing walks, the Twins have the third-fewest in the AL with an average of just 2.5 walks allowed per game.
The Twins lead the season series, 5-3. The White Sox have a 15-16 record against right-handed starting pitchers on the year, which is what they’ll be facing when May takes the mound. Sale (LHP) will be on the hill against the Twins, who have a very good 13-5 record against left-handed starting pitchers.
Predictions: SU Winner – CWS, O/U – Over
Notes
The Twins lost their last game by a one-run margin. In games decided by one run, the White Sox are 9-4. The Twins are 7-6 in close games this season.
When the Twins play into extra innings, they have a 3-1 record. The White Sox are 1-1 when their games exceed nine innings.
The Twins are coming into this game after allowing two walks during their last outing. The White Sox have a 10-14 record when opponents give up that many walks or fewer.
When they outhit their opponents, the White Sox are 15-2. The Twins have a 17-0 record when outhitting opponents.
Ranking 29th in runs, Chicago has earned 143 this season. Minnesota ranks ninth with 185 runs.
Chicago and Minnesota both rank near the bottom of the league in walks. Chicago sits at 25th with 99 this season and Minnesota ranks 23rd with 105.
The White Sox are 9-8 in games where they hit one or more home runs. The Twins are 18-4 when they hit at least one homer.
