Francisco Liriano (3-5, 3.25 ERA) and the Pittsburgh Pirates (35-27) take on Carlos Rodon (2-0, 2.66 ERA) and the Chicago White Sox (28-33) in a game that has the potential to be low scoring. This is the first of a two-game series at PNC Park. Action begins at 7:05 p.m. ET on Monday, Jun. 15 and can be seen on CSN-CHI and ROOT-PIT.
Liriano is 5-4 with a 4.99 ERA, 1.45 WHIP, and 55 strikeouts against the White Sox. Starling Marte (.273, 33 Rs, 12 HRs, 43 RBIs, 11 SBs) had another good game yesterday, going 3 for 5. Rodon went 6.0 innings, surrendering zero runs, striking out five and walking two in a 4-2 win over the Astros in his most recent start.
Pittsburgh is a -172 favorite against Chicago and the Over/Under (O/U) for this game is sitting at seven runs. The Pirates have recorded an overall money line of +232 and have shown high-level performance as a favorite this season with a record of 28-15. Pittsburgh is an impressive 6-2 as the favorite over its last 10 games. The Pirates have seen a decline in scoring against teams in the AL, averaging 2.6 runs per game. They average 4.1 runs per game on the season. Pittsburgh is one of the best in the MLB in terms of steals, swiping 46 bases. Crossing over to the pitching staff, opposing offenses have been stifled by the Pirates, who have a team ERA of only 2.90. The Pirates are the fourth-best team in the NL at limiting hits to their opponents, allowing only 8.4 hits per game so far this season.
As for their opponent, Chicago is coming in with an overall money line of -583 and a disappointing record of 12-20 as the underdog. They played poorly as the underdog over their last 10 games with a 1-3 record, and a 5-5 record SU. Offensively, the White Sox have really picked up the pace in interleague games. They have exceeded their season average of 3.7 runs per game by averaging 5.2 in those contests.
The Pirates have a 4-4 record against left-handed starting pitchers on the year, which is what they’ll be facing when Rodon takes the mound. Liriano (LHP) will be on the hill against the White Sox, who have a 5-6 record against left-handed starting pitchers.
Predictions: SU Winner – PIT, O/U – Over
Notes
Pittsburgh won its last game in a shutout, its sixth of the season. Chicago has been shut out four times this season.
When the White Sox play into extra innings, they have a 4-2 record. The Pirates are 2-6 when their games exceed nine innings.
Having scored one run in their last game, the White Sox are going to have to up their game if they want to win this matchup. The Pirates have a 12-1 record in games where opponents scored that many runs or fewer.
When they are outhit, the White Sox are 6-26. The Pirates have a 6-18 record when opponents outhit them.
Pittsburgh and Chicago both rank near the bottom of the league in home runs. Pittsburgh sits at 23rd with 50 home runs this season and Chicago ranks 27th with 45.
Ranking 11th, Chicago is in the top half of the league in hits, notching 8.27 per game. Pittsburgh ranks in the top 10 at sixth with 8.77.
Pittsburgh and Chicago both rank near the bottom of the league for their on-base plus slugging percentage. Pittsburgh sits at 22nd with an OPS of .690 and Chicago ranks 29th with an OPS of .652.
When the White Sox allow at least one home run, they are 14-24, well-matched with the Pirates who are 9-18 when allowing at least one homer.
