Ricky Nolasco (0-1, 18.00 ERA) and Hector Noesi (0-2, 5.23 ERA) are on the hill in the third of a four-game series between the Minnesota Twins (11-12) and the Chicago White Sox (8-12) at Target Field. The Twins won the last game 1-0 and Minnesota leads the series 2-0. Action begins at 2:10 p.m. ET on Saturday, May. 2 and can be seen on WGN and FSN-N.
Nolasco is 0-2 with a 5.92 ERA in his appearances against the White Sox, but goes up against a below-average Chicago offense which is batting just .238 this season. Brian Dozier (.221, 17 Rs, 2 HRs, 10 RBIs, 2 SBs) went 1 for 4 yesterday with one stolen base. When pitching against the Twins, Noesi is 2-2 with a 4.15 ERA, 1.32 WHIP, and 30 strikeouts. Avisail Garcia (.310, 11 Rs, 1 HR, 4 RBIs, 1 SB) went 1 for 3 yesterday.
Minnesota is a slim -114 favorite at home against Chicago. According to the oddsmakers, the Over/Under (O/U) is currently eight runs. Despite the healthy overall money line (+172), the Twins are winless this season as the favorite (0-2). Minnesota is a disappointing 0-1 as the favorite over its last 10 games. The Twins are one of the best in the AL in terms of hits at home with a phenomenal 9.2 per game. As for the pitchers, the Twins are the fourth-best team in the AL at limiting walks to their opponents, allowing only 2.6 walks per game so far this season.
As for their opponent, Chicago is coming in with an overall money line of -492 and a disappointing record of 4-8 as the underdog. They have played poorly as the underdog with a 4-7 record against AL Central rivals, and a 4-6 record SU. Chicago is excellent at not striking out n the road with just 7.3 per game, ranking third in the AL. When it comes to issuing walks, the White Sox have the third-fewest in the AL with an average of just 2.6 walks allowed per game.
The Twins lead the season series, 3-2. The Twins have a 5-7 record against right-handed starting pitchers on the year, which is what they’ll be facing when Noesi takes the mound. Nolasco (RHP) will be on the hill against the White Sox, who have a 6-9 record against right-handed starting pitchers.
Predictions: SU Winner – MIN, O/U – Under
Notes
Minnesota is 5-2 SU in its last 7 games.
Minnesota is 7-3 SU in its last 10 games at home.
Minnesota is 4-2 SU in their last 6 games when playing Chi White Sox.
The total has gone OVER in 10 of Minnesota’s last 13 games when playing Chi White Sox.
Minnesota is 4-1 SU in their last 5 games when playing at home against Chi White Sox.
Chi White Sox are 1-4 SU in their last 5 games when playing on the road against Minnesota.
The White Sox lost their last game by a one-run margin. In games decided by one run, the Twins are 3-3. The White Sox are also 3-3 in close games this season.
For the fourth time this season, the Twins registered at least two errors in a game.
When the Twins play into extra innings, they have a 2-0 record. The White Sox are 0-1 when their games exceed nine innings.
Having scored zero runs in their last game, the White Sox are going to have to up their game if they want to win this matchup. The Twins have a 3-0 record in games where opponents scored that many runs.
When they are outhit, the White Sox are 1-11. The Twins have a 2-11 record when opponents outhit them.
Tied at 29th for total home runs, Minnesota and Chicago have each hit 12 homers this season.
Ranking 11th, Chicago is in the top half of the league in hits, notching 8.05 per game. Minnesota ranks in the top 10 at ninth with 8.22.
Minnesota and Chicago both rank near the bottom of the league for their on-base plus slugging percentage. Minnesota sits at 25th with an OPS of .640 and Chicago ranks 26th with an OPS of .633.
The White Sox are 3-9 in games where they allow one or more home runs. The Twins are 5-10 when they allow at least one homer.
