In the last of a three-game series between the Minnesota Twins (69-63) and the Chicago White Sox (61-70) at Target Field, Kyle Gibson (9-9, 3.82 ERA) and Jeff Samardzija (8-11, 4.85 ERA) get the start. The Twins won the last game 3-0 and Minnesota leads the series 2-0. The game gets underway at 1:10 p.m. ET on Thursday, Sep. 3 and will air on WGN.
In his last start, Gibson pitched 5.2 innings, allowing zero runs, striking out four and walking three in a 3-0 victory over the Astros. The White Sox were unsuccessful to the Mariners 7-6 the last time Samardzija pitched. He went 5.2 innings, allowing five runs, striking out eight and walking three. Jose Abreu (.288, 76 Rs, 24 HRs, 80 RBIs) went 1 for 4 yesterday.
Minnesota, a -133 favorite, will look to capitalize at home against Chicago. The Over/Under (O/U) for the matchup is eight runs. The Twins perform well as a favorite with a 16-10 record and have an overall money line of +2,031. They have a 27-25 record SU and are 7-3 as favorite within their division. The Twins come into the game with the AL’s fifth-ranked home scoring offense, averaging 4.8 runs per game in their own ballpark. Transitioning to the pitching staff, the Twins are second in the AL in walks allowed with just 2.5 per game.
On the other side, the White Sox have a record of 30-43 when they are the underdog and are -1,186 overall with the money line. Over the last 10 games, they were winless as the underdog with a 0-4 record and 3-7 SU. Chicago is one of the top road hitting teams in the AL with an average of 9.0 hits per contest. Switching gears to Chicago’s pitching staff, they allow just 2.5 walks per road game, good for tops in the AL. The Chicago pitching staff has been an intimidating group this year, averaging 8.5 strikeouts per game.
The Twins had the upper hand against the White Sox in their previous 15 games this season, earning an 11-4 record. This game will feature Samardzija (RHP) on the mound against the Twins, who have a 44-42 record when they take on a right-handed starter. The right-handed Gibson will take the mound against the White Sox, who have a 47-55 record against righty starters this season.
Predictions: SU Winner – Min, O/U – Over
Notes
After last game’s shutout win against the Chicago, the Twins now have 11 shutouts this season. The White Sox have been shut out in 10 games this season.
The Twins are coming into this game after allowing zero walks during their last outing. The White Sox have a 7-12 record when opponents give up that many walks.
It looks like the Twins have a slight leg up on the White Sox, as the Twins have won their last three games while the White Sox have lost their last two.
When they outhit their opponents, the White Sox are 48-12. The Twins have a 47-6 record when outhitting opponents.
Ranking 28th, Chicago sits near the bottom of the league in runs, scoring 499 this season. Minnesota ranks in the top 10 at 10th with 575.
Minnesota and Chicago both rank near the bottom of the league in walks. Minnesota sits at 23rd with 332 this season and Chicago ranks 29th with 306.
When the Twins hit at least one home run, they are 53-28. When the White Sox hit at least one homer, they have a 37-35 record.
