This game could be low scoring as Chris Sale (15-6, 3.15 ERA) and the Chicago White Sox (61-65) go up against Felix Hernandez (8-4, 3.26 ERA) and the Seattle Mariners (67-60) in the second of a four-game series at U.S. Cellular Field. The White Sox won the last game 7-6, and Chicago leads the series 1-0. The game starts at 8:10 p.m. ET on Friday, Aug. 26 and will air on WGN and RTNW.
In his last start, Sale pitched 8.0 innings, giving up zero runs, striking out eight and walking three in a 6-2 victory over the Athletics. Todd Frazier (.211, 66 Rs, 31 HRs, 80 RBIs, 10 SBs) played well again yesterday, going 2 for 5 with three RBIs. The Mariners were victorious over the Brewers 8-2 the last time Hernandez pitched. He went 8.0 innings, allowing two runs, striking out eight and walking one. Robinson Cano (.298, 84 Rs, 29 HRs, 80 RBIs) has been hitting the ball well, going 2 for 4 yesterday with two runs, one home run, and one RBI.
Chicago is a -120 favorite in this game and the Over/Under (O/U) is set at eight runs. When playing as the favorite, the White Sox have a 33-25 record and overall money line at -459.
Switching gears, the Mariners come into this game with a win percentage of .509 when playing as the underdog (29-28) and an overall money line of +158. The Mariners are one of the top road hitting teams in the AL, averaging 9.2 hits in games away from home. Seattle has an eye for the strike zone, ranking fifth in the AL with 3.1 walks per game. Seattle’s pitching staff and defense as a whole have been firing on all cylinders so far, ranking fifth in the AL with only 4.3 runs allowed per game.
This game will feature Hernandez (RHP) on the mound against the White Sox, who have a 47-54 record when they take on a right-handed starter. Taking the hill against the Mariners will be the left-hander Sale. They sport a 19-26 record against southpaws.
Predictions: SU Winner – SEA, O/U – Over
Notes
Chicago recorded at least two errors for the 15th time this season.
The White Sox are coming off of a weak pitching game where they recorded five strikeouts. The Mariners have a record of 21-7 when opponents’ pitchers have five strikeouts or less.
When they are outhit, the White Sox are 9-49. The Mariners have a 14-42 record when opponents outhit them.
Chicago ranks near the bottom of the league when it comes to home runs, hitting 125 this season. Seattle ranks in the top five at fourth with 176.
Chicago and Seattle both rank in the top 10 of the league in hits. Chicago sits at 10th with 8.58 hits per game and Seattle ranks eighth with 8.87.
Ranking 25th, Chicago is near the bottom of the league for its on-base plus slugging percentage (.716). Seattle ranks in the top 10 with an OPS of .759.
The Mariners are 44-49 when they allow at least one home run. The White Sox perform similarly when they allow one or more homers with a 37-44 record.
