Scott Kazmir (2-1, 2.78 ERA) is on the hill for the Oakland Athletics (13-25) as they square off against Jeff Samardzija (2-2, 4.80 ERA) and the Chicago White Sox (16-17) in the last of a three-game series at O.C. Coliseum. The White Sox won the last game 4-3 and Chicago leads the series 2-0. Action begins at 4:05 p.m. ET on Sunday, May. 17 and can be seen on CSN-CHI and CSN-CA.
Kazmir is 3-6 with a 5.35 ERA in his appearances against the White Sox, and goes up against a good Chicago offense which is batting .258 this season. Stephen Vogt (.337, 19 Rs, 9 HRs, 30 RBIs) went 1 for 3 yesterday. Samardzija went 6.0 innings, surrendering five runs (two unearned), striking out six and walking one in a 10-7 defeat to the Brewers in his last outing. Jose Abreu (.296, 17 Rs, 6 HRs, 21 RBIs) has been successful at the plate for the White Sox, going 2 for 4 yesterday with one RBI.
Oakland is a -129 favorite against Chicago and the Over/Under (O/U) for this game is sitting at seven runs. The Athletics have recorded an overall money line of -1,532 and have shown a weak performance as a favorite this season with a record of 8-16. Oakland is a disappointing 2-5 as the favorite over its last 10 games. The Athletics have seen a decline in scoring as of late, averaging 3.4 runs during the last 10 games compared to their season average of 4.7 runs per game. The Athletics have no trouble scoring as they rank third in the AL in offense with 4.7 runs per game. The Athletics are one of the best in the AL in terms of hits with an impressive 9.2 per game. As for the pitchers, the Athletics are the fifth-best team in the AL at limiting walks during home games, allowing only 2.8 walks per game to their opponents this season.
In the other locker room, Chicago is coming in with an overall money line of -321 and a disappointing record of 6-11 as the underdog. 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 5.1 during that stretch. When it comes to issuing walks on the road, the White Sox have the fewest in the AL with only 2.1 walks allowed per game.
The White Sox have the edge in the season series, 2-0. The Athletics have a 12-17 record against right-handed starting pitchers on the year, which is what they’ll be facing when Samardzija takes the mound. Kazmir (LHP) will be on the hill against the White Sox, who have a 2-4 record against left-handed starting pitchers.
Predictions: SU Winner – OAK, O/U – Over
Notes
Oakland has won 27% (6-16) of its games when leading after 7 innings. However, Chicago has won 64% (7-4) of its games when taking a late lead.
The Athletics are coming into this game after allowing two walks during their last outing. The White Sox have an 8-13 record when opponents give up that many walks or fewer.
It looks like the White Sox have a slight leg up on the Athletics, as the White Sox have won their last four games while the Athletics have lost their last three.
When they outhit their opponents, the Athletics are 11-7. The White Sox have a 12-2 record when outhitting opponents.
Ranking 29th in runs, Chicago has earned 125 this season. Oakland ranks fifth with 175 runs.
Ranking 27th, Chicago is near the bottom of the league in walks, notching 83 this season. Oakland ranks in the top half at 13th with 115.
The Athletics are 10-12 in games where they hit one or more home runs. The White Sox are 8-6 when they hit at least one homer.
