Tommy Milone (6-4, 3.86 ERA) and Carlos Rodon (6-5, 4.15 ERA) start in the second of a three-game series between the Minnesota Twins (68-63) and the Chicago White Sox (61-69) at Target Field. The Twins won the last game 8-6 and Minnesota leads the series 1-0. Action begins at 8:10 p.m. ET on Wednesday, Sep. 2 and can be seen on WPWR and FSN.
Milone pitched 5.1 innings in his last outing, surrendering four runs (one unearned), striking out two and walking one in a 5-4 defeat to the Rays. Eddie Rosario (.275, 46 Rs, 8 HRs, 33 RBIs, 10 SBs) continued his strong play yesterday, going 2 for 4 with one run. Rodon went 6.0 innings, surrendering two runs, striking out five and walking three in a 4-2 win over the Mariners in his most recent start. Adam Eaton (.270, 78 Rs, 10 HRs, 37 RBIs, 13 SBs) has been successful at the plate, going 4 for 5 yesterday with two RBIs.
Minnesota is a -120 favorite against Chicago and the Over/Under (O/U) for this game is sitting at eight runs. The Twins have recorded an overall money line of +1,793 and have shown high-level performance as a favorite this season with a record of 15-10. Within its division, Minnesota has a 7-3 record as favorite and a 26-25 record 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.
In games where it is the underdog, Chicago has a 30-42 record and an overall money line of -938. They have played poorly as the underdog with a 9-17 record against AL Central foes, and a 5-5 record SU. 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, 10-4. The Twins have a 23-21 record against left-handed starting pitchers on the year, which is what they’ll be facing when Rodon takes the mound. Milone (LHP) will be on the hill against the White Sox, who have a 14-14 record against left-handed starting pitchers.
Predictions: SU Winner – Min, O/U – Over
Notes
For the 19th time this season, the White Sox registered at least two errors in a game.
The Twins are coming off of a weak pitching game where they recorded three strikeouts. The White Sox have a record of 8-3 when opponents’ pitchers have that many strikeouts or fewer.
When they are outhit, the White Sox are 10-52. The Twins have a 14-54 record when opponents outhit them.
Ranking 26th in home runs, Chicago has hit 106 this season. Minnesota ranks 17th with 125 home runs.
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.
Minnesota and Chicago both rank near the bottom of the league for their on-base plus slugging percentage. Minnesota sits at 21st with an OPS of .708 and Chicago ranks 27th with an OPS of .688.
The White Sox are 29-52 in games where they allow one or more home runs. The Twins are 37-50 when they allow at least one homer.
