Chicago White Sox vs. Cleveland Indians DH Game One MLB Picks, Odds, Predictions 5/31/2021

The Chicago White Sox and the Cleveland Indians meet in game one of a double-header in an AL Central division matchup in MLB action from Progressive Field on Monday afternoon.

The Chicago White Sox come into this one looking to build on their 3-1 win over the Baltimore Orioles on Sunday. Billy Hamilton led the charge with a solo home run while Nick Madrigal and Yoan Moncada each went 2 for 4 with an RBI to cap off Chicago’s scoring as a team in the win, with Madrigal adding a triple. Tim Anderson also went 2 for 4 at the dish and Jose Abreu added a base hit as well to cap off Chicago’s offense as a team in the losing effort. Lucas Giolito got the win to improve to 5-4 on the year after allowing one earned run on three hits while striking out 12 over seven innings of work. Liam Hendriks closed out the 9^th inning for his 13^th save of the season. Carlos Rodon will start here and is 5-2 with a 1.29 ERA and 72 strikeouts this season. In his career, Rodon is 7-5 with a 2.65 ERA and 107 strikeouts against Cleveland.

The Cleveland Indians will look to build some steam after salvaging a split of Sunday’s doubleheader with Toronto after losing game one 4-1 and rebounding to rally in game two with a 6-5 win. Game one saw Josh Naylor account for three of Cleveland’s four hits and the team’s lone run with his 5^th inning home run. Aaron Civale took the loss in game one, falling to 7-2 on the year after allowing four runs on ten hits with a single strikeout over six innings of work. Game two saw Amed Rosario and Jose Ramirez each put up an RBI while Rene Rivera had a double and an RBI as well in the win. Sam Hentges gave up four runs in 2.1 innings in the start, while Emmanuel Clase came in for the win to improve to 3-2 on the year. Triston McKenzie will start here and is 1-3 with a 5.94 ERA and 49 strikeouts this season. In his career, McKenzie is 0-1 with a 9.00 ERA and 15 strikeouts against the White Sox.

Cleveland is 36-17 in their last 53 division games and 4-0 in their last 4 games overall while the under is 4-0 in their last 4 road games. Cleveland is 1-4 in their last 5 home games and 0-6 in their last 6 home games against a left-handed starter while the over is 4-0 in their last 4 series-opening games.

I get the case that could be made for Cleveland after the Tribe picked up some momentum with their rally to beat Toronto on Sunday, but playing a pair of double-headers in back-to-back days is tough and not something you see often to begin with. Also, Triston McKenzie has not been anything to write home about this season and he’s only been brought back up because Zach Plesac can’t dress himself without getting hurt. Carlos Rodon has been sharp for much of the season and I look for him to add another to the win column for the White Sox in this one.