The Cleveland Guardians and the Chicago White Sox meet Saturday in MLB action from Guaranteed Rate Field. This will be the third installment in a four-game series over the weekend. The Guardians managed a three-run win on Thursday, then in game two Chicago evened it up with a shutout victory. Check back all season long for free MLB picks at Sports Chat Place.

Cleveland Guardians

Cleveland managed 13 hits in the Thursday opener of this series, winning 6-3. Josh Naylor bagged two hits, a run and three RBI in the victory. On Friday the Guardians couldn’t get anything going in a 3-0 defeat. Josh Naylor had half the team’s six hits with a 3-for-4 performance. Jose Ramirez, Will Brennan and Oscar Gonzalez each had one as well. 

In the starter slot for the Guardians on Saturday it’ll be Logan Allen. In his 14 starts so far Allen is 4-3 with a 3.39 ERA and 76 Ks in 74.1 innings. Allen gave up four earned in 7.0 innings during a loss to Kansas City in his last outing on July 24. 

Cleveland Guardians Team Facts

• The Guardians have won 13 of their last 15 night games against teams that held a losing record.
• The Guardians have covered the run line in nine of their last 10 night games against the White Sox following a loss.
• The ‘Inning 1 OVER 0.5 runs’ market has hit in each of the Guardians’ last four road games against American League opponents.

Chicago White Sox 

Over on the White Sox’ side, they were down early in the opener of this set and couldn’t dig out of the hole on eight team hits. The only player with more than one hit was Jake Burger with two homers and three RBI. On Friday Chicago got a nice performance from the pen on 4.0 innings, three hits, no walks and four Ks. Luis Robert and Jake Burger each had solo homers. 

As starting pitcher for the Saturday game the Sox didn’t immediately announce a name. We’re getting Mike Clevinger here, though; Clevinger is 3-4 with a 3.88 ERA and coming off an IL stint due to biceps inflammation. Clevinger’s last start was June 14. 

Chicago White Sox Team Facts

• The White Sox have lost each of their last eight night games following a win.
• The White Sox have failed to cover the run line in 12 of their last 13 night games against the Guardians following a win.
• The ‘Inning 1 OVER 0.5 runs’ market has hit in each of the White Sox’s last three games.

Matchup/League Facts

• The Chicago White Sox ranks 2nd in the league for strikeouts this season (1004).
• The Chicago White Sox ranks 29th in the league for on-base percentage this season (.295).
• The Cleveland Guardians ranks 1st in the league for strikeouts against this season (722).
• The Cleveland Guardians ranks 30th in the league for home runs this season (79).

ANDREW’S FREE PICK 

I’ll probably take a stab on the Guardians here. Allen had a couple of shaky spots in his last outing (7.0 innings; four earned) but overall he’s been pitching well with just the four earned runs in his last 15.2 innings. In the Friday opener Cleveland’s offense didn’t get much from anyone except for Naylor, and the team had just one walk (from Steven Kwan). The Guardians need to get back to business at the plate; they’ve scored three or more runs in five of their last six games however, so I’ve got to think Cleveland bounces back in game three.