In the last of a three-game series between the Texas Rangers (27-26) and the Chicago White Sox (27-26) at Globe Life Park in Arlington, Yovani Gallardo (5-6, 3.88 ERA) and Carlos Rodon (1-0, 3.45 ERA) take the mound. The White Sox won the last game 9-2 and the series is currently tied 1-1. The game starts at 8:05 p.m. ET on Thursday, Jun. 4 and will air on CSN-CHI and FSN-SW.
In his last start, Gallardo pitched 6.0 innings, allowing one, striking out five and walking three in a 7-4 victory over the Red Sox. Prince Fielder (.355, 26 Rs, 10 HRs, 39 RBIs) went 1 for 5 yesterday with one run and one RBI. The White Sox were unsuccessful to the Astros 6-3 the last time Rodon pitched. He went 6.1 innings, allowing one and striking out four. Jose Abreu (.286, 26 Rs, 9 HRs, 32 RBIs) has been hitting the ball well for the White Sox, going 2 for 4 yesterday with one run, one home run, and three RBIs.
Texas is a -128 favorite in this game and the Over/Under (O/U) is set at nine runs. The Rangers are 3-3 as the favorite and have an overall money line of +1,069. They are 8-2 SU and perfect as the favorite (2-0) in their last 10 games. Over their past 10 games, Texas’s offense has been playing lights out, averaging 7.2 runs per game, well over their season average of 4.8. The Rangers come into the game with the second-ranked scoring offense in the AL, averaging 4.8 runs per game. The Rangers are an exceptional hitting team with 8.7 hits per game, one of the highest marks in the AL.
Moving on to the away team, the White Sox come into this game with a weak win percentage of .393 when playing as the underdog (11-17) and an overall money line of -573. Chicago is one of the top road hitting teams in the AL with an average of 8.6 hits per contest. The White Sox average just 6.9 strikeouts per road game, one of the lowest marks in the AL. Shifting to the pitching staff, they have some of the most overpowering arms in the AL with an average of 7.9 strikeouts per game.
The Rangers will take on a left-hander (Rodon) in this game and have an 8-10 record against left-handed starting pitchers this season. Taking the hill against the White Sox will be the right-hander Gallardo. They sport a 20-22 record against righties.
Predictions: SU Winner – TEX, O/U – Over
Notes
When the White Sox play into extra innings, they have a 3-1 record. The Rangers are 2-2 when their games exceed nine innings.
The White Sox managed to give up four walks in their last game. They’ll have to pick it up against the Rangers who are heading in with a 10-6 record against opponents who give up that many walks or more.
When they outhit their opponents, the White Sox are 18-3. The Rangers have a 20-3 record when outhitting opponents.
Ranking 29th, Chicago sits near the bottom of the league in runs, scoring 190 this season. Texas ranks in the top five at second with 250.
Ranking 28th, Chicago is near the bottom of the league in walks, notching 119 this season. Texas ranks in the top half at 13th with 165.
When the Rangers hit at least one home run, they are 21-12. When the White Sox hit at least one homer, they have a 12-12 record.
