Chris Sale (12-7, 3.20 ERA), attemping to pick up his 200th strikeout of the season, starts for the Chicago White Sox (61-68) as they square off against Tyler Duffey (2-1, 4.29 ERA) and the Minnesota Twins (67-63) in the first of a three-game series at Target Field. Action begins at 8:10 p.m. ET on Tuesday, Sep. 1 and can be seen on CSCh and FSN.
Duffey pitched 5.1 innings in his most recent start, surrendering two runs, striking out four and walking four in a 5-3 defeat to the Rays. Brian Dozier (.245, 90 Rs, 26 HRs, 66 RBIs, 10 SBs) went 1 for 4 Sunday with two runs. Sale went 7.0 innings, surrendering zero runs, striking out seven and walking two in a 3-0 defeat to the Red Sox in his last outing. Adam Eaton (.264, 78 Rs, 10 HRs, 35 RBIs, 13 SBs) has been successful at the plate, going 2 for 5 Sunday with one run, one RBI, and one stolen base.
The odds for Minnesota and Chicago are even, while the Over/Under (O/U) is currently unavailable. Within its division, Minnesota has a record of 26-25 SU. The Twins have no trouble scoring as they rank fifth in the AL in home offense with 4.8 runs per game. Turning to the pitchers, the Twins are the second-best team in the AL at limiting walks to their opponents, allowing only 2.5 walks per game so far this season.
The White Sox are 20-31 against AL Central foes. Offensively, the White Sox have really picked up the pace in the last 10 games. They have exceeded their season average of 3.8 runs per game by averaging 4.8 during that stretch. The White Sox are tough outs for opponents, ranking third in the AL with 8.9 hits per road game. When it comes to issuing walks on the road, the White Sox have the fewest in the AL with only 2.5 walks allowed per game. The White Sox have established a reputation of overwhelming hitters with an AL-best 8.5 strikeouts per game, making them one of the top five teams in the league.
The Twins have controlled the season series, 9-4. The Twins have a 23-21 record against left-handed starting pitchers on the year, which is what they’ll be facing when Sale takes the mound. Duffey (RHP) will be on the hill against the White Sox, who have a 47-54 record against right-handed starting pitchers.
Predictions: SU Winner – Min
Notes
In their last game, the White Sox won by a margin of one run. The Twins are 19-18 in one-run games. The White Sox have a 24-26 record in close games.
The Twins are coming into this game after allowing one walk during their last outing. The White Sox have a 13-30 record when opponents give up that many walks or fewer.
When they are outhit, the White Sox are 10-51. The Twins have a 14-54 record when opponents outhit them.
Chicago ranks near the bottom of the league at 26th when it comes to home runs, hitting 105 this season. Minnesota ranks in the bottom half at 16th with 124.
Ranking 12th, Minnesota is in the top half of the league in hits, notching 8.35 per game. Chicago ranks in the top 10 at ninth with 8.62.
Ranking 27th, Chicago is near the bottom of the league for its on-base plus slugging percentage (.687). Minnesota ranks in the bottom half at 20th with an OPS of .706.
The White Sox are 29-51 in games where they allow one or more home runs. The Twins are 36-50 when they allow at least one homer.
