Vidal Nuno (0-2, 3.14 ERA) and Carlos Rodon (5-5, 4.42 ERA) are on the hill in the second of a three-game series between the Seattle Mariners (56-66) and the Chicago White Sox (57-63) at Safeco Field. The White Sox won the last game 11-4 and Chicago leads the series 1-0. Action begins at 9:10 p.m. ET on Saturday, Aug. 22 and can be seen on WGN and RTNW.
Nuno pitched 4.1 innings in his most recent start, surrendering four runs, striking out two and walking one in a 10-8 defeat to the Red Sox. Nelson Cruz (.322, 69 Rs, 37 HRs, 76 RBIs, 3 SBs) continued his strong play yesterday, going 2 for 4 with two runs, one home run, and one RBI. Rodon went 8.0 innings, surrendering two runs, striking out five and walking three in a 2-1 defeat to the Angels in his last outing. Adam Eaton (.265, 71 Rs, 10 HRs, 33 RBIs, 12 SBs) has been successful at the plate, going 2 for 6 yesterday with one RBI.
Seattle is a narrow -113 favorite at home against Chicago. The matchup has an estimated Over/Under (O/U) of seven runs. The Mariners have an overall money line of -1,636 and a record as the favorite of 32-38. Seattle is an impressive 4-1 as the favorite over its last 10 games. Seattle’s pitching staff has been doing poorly against opposing offenses during the last 10 games, allowing an average of 6.8 runs per game, well above its season average of 4.5.
In games where it is the underdog, Chicago has a 28-39 record and an overall money line of -800. The White Sox have a dynamic offense, ranking third in the league with 316 extra base hits. The White Sox allow 4.3 runs per game, but have improved upon those numbers in the past 10 games, allowing 2.7 runs per game during that span. When it comes to issuing walks on the road, the White Sox have the fewest in the AL with only 2.4 walks allowed per game. The White Sox have established a reputation of overwhelming hitters with an AL-best 8.3 strikeouts per game, making them one of the top five teams in the league.
The White Sox have the edge in the season series, 1-0. The Mariners have a 14-20 record against left-handed starting pitchers on the year, which is what they’ll be facing when Rodon takes the mound. Nuno (LHP) will be on the hill against the White Sox, who have a 10-14 record against left-handed starting pitchers.
Predictions: SU Winner – Sea, O/U – Over
Notes
The Mariners managed to give up five walks in their last game. They’ll have to pick it up against the White Sox who are coming in with an 11-3 record against opponents who give up that many walks or more.
It looks like the White Sox have a slight leg up on the Mariners, as the White Sox have won their last two games while the Mariners have lost their last two.
When they outhit their opponents, the Mariners are 35-18. The White Sox have a 45-12 record when outhitting opponents.
Seattle and Chicago both rank near the bottom of the league in runs. Seattle sits at 24th with 463 runs this season and Chicago ranks 28th with 456.
Ranking 28th, Chicago is near the bottom of the league in walks, notching 279 this season. Seattle ranks in the top half at 14th with 345.
When the Mariners hit at least one home run, they are 47-37, well-matched with the White Sox who are 35-32 when hitting one or more homers.
