In the last of a three-game series between the Chicago White Sox (12-6) and the Texas Rangers (10-8) at U.S. Cellular Field, Mat Latos (3-0, 0.49 ERA) and Derek Holland (2-0, 2.70 ERA) take the mound. The White Sox won the last game 4-3, and Chicago leads the series 2-0. The game starts at 2:10 p.m. ET on Sunday, Apr. 24 and will air on CSCh and FSSW.
In his most recent outing, Latos pitched 6.1 innings, giving up zero runs, striking out five and walking three in a 5-0 victory over the Angels. Melky Cabrera (.344, 9 Rs, 2 HRs, 7 RBIs) played well again yesterday, going 3 for 4 with two runs, one home run, and one RBI. The Rangers were victorious over the Astros 7-5 the last time Holland pitched. He went 5.0 innings, allowing two runs, striking out five and walking one. Adrian Beltre (.333, 8 Rs, 3 HRs, 12 RBIs) went 1 for 5 yesterday.
Oddsmakers have deemed this game an even matchup and the Over/Under (O/U) is presently unavailable. Over their past 10 games, Chicago’s offense has been playing lights out, averaging 0.0 runs per game, well over their season average of 0.0. Chicago’s pitching staff has put it all together in the past 10 games. Its average runs allowed per game dropped to 0.0 during that span, compared to its 0.0 season average. The White Sox don’t allow many hitters to get on base, ranking second in the league with a 1.006 WHIP. An area where the White Sox are particularly strong at home is striking batters out, where they average 6.6 K’s per home game.
During the last 10 games, they averaged 0.0 runs per game, above their 0.0 season average. Texas’s pitching staff has allowed an average of 0.0 runs per game during the last 10 games, lower than their season average of 0.0. The Texas pitching staff has been an intimidating group this year, averaging 7.1 strikeouts per game.
The previous two games have all gone Chicago’s way.
Predictions: SU Winner – TEX
Notes
Texas has won 54% (7-6) of its games when leading after seven innings. However, Chicago has won 57% (4-3) of its games when taking a late lead.
After a weak showing last week where they got in seven hits, the Rangers need to step it up. The White Sox have a record of 11-2 when opponents get seven hits or less.
When they are outhit, the White Sox are 0-6. The Rangers have a 2-7 record when opponents outhit them.
Ranking 23rd in home runs, Texas has hit 14 this season. Chicago ranks 19th with 16 home runs.
Ranking 26th, Chicago is near the bottom of the league in hits, notching 7.33 per game. Texas ranks in the top half at 13th with 8.44.
Chicago and Texas both rank near the bottom of the league for their on-base plus slugging percentage. Chicago sits at 29th with an OPS of .639, and Texas ranks 21st with an OPS of .705.
The Rangers are 7-6 in games where they allow one or more home runs. The White Sox are 2-3 when they allow at least one homer.
