The Chicago White Sox and the Cleveland Guardians meet Saturday in MLB action from Progressive Field. This will be the second installment in a three-game series this weekend. In the Friday opener matchup, Cleveland powered out a two-run win. Check back all season long for free MLB picks at Sports Chat Place.
Chicago White Sox
The White Sox took on the Rangers this week and didn’t have any luck in a three-game sweep. In Thursday’s 5-3 loss, Gavin Sheets (two) and Yasmani Grandal provided the only RBI. On Friday versus Cleveland, Chicago was out-hit 9-7 in a 4-2 loss. Andrew Benintendi and Elvis Andrus each posted an RBI in the losing effort.
In the Saturday starter role the White Sox will go with Michael Kopech. Over his 20 starts this year Kopech is 4-10 with a 4.49 ERA and 109 Ks in 102.1 innings. In his last seven starts Kopech is 1-5 with a 5.65 ERA and 18 earned in 28.2 innings.
Chicago White Sox Team Facts
- The White Sox have lost each of their last seven road games.
- The White Sox have failed to cover the run line each of their last six games against American League opponents that held a losing record.
- The ‘Inning 1 OVER 0.5 runs’ market has hit in each of the White Sox’s last four night games against AL Central opponents.
- The White Sox have trailed after 5 innings in each of their last seven night games against opponents that held a losing record.
- The White Sox have trailed after 7 innings in each of their last seven road night games.
Chicago White Sox Player Prop Facts
- Luis Robert has recorded two or more total bases in four of his last five appearances against the Guardians after playing the previous day.
- Luis Robert has hit a home run in three of the White Sox’s last seven night games against opponents that held a losing record.
- Elvis Andrus has scored at least one run in seven of his last nine road appearances against the Guardians after playing the previous day.
- Andrew Benintendi has recorded at least one RBI in each of the White Sox’s last six road games against AL opponents that held a losing record.
- Eloy Jimenez has recorded two hits in three of his last four appearances against opponents that held a losing record.
- Michael Kopech has recorded seven or more strikeouts in four of his last five appearances against AL Central opponents.
- Luis Robert ranks T4th in the league in Home Runs (29) this season.
Cleveland Guardians
Over on the Guardians’ side, they also got swept in their last series, theirs against the Astros. On Wednesday in a 3-2 loss, Cleveland’s Gabriel Arias provided the two RBI. In the Friday matchup Cleveland got three hits, two runs, two RBI and a homer from Andres Gimenez on the way to the victory. Jose Ramirez added an RBI, and Steven Kwan plated a run.
As starting pitcher for Saturday’s game two, the Guardians are going with Noah Syndergaard. This year Syndergaard is 1-4 with a 6.68 ERA and 38 Ks in 60.2 innings. Syndergaard is 0-1 over his last six games with an 8.25 ERA and 22 earned in 24.0 frames.
Cleveland Guardians Team Facts
- The Guardians have lost three of their last four games as favourites against the White Sox following a home win.
- The Guardians have failed to cover the run line in each of their last eight Saturday night games as home favourites against American League opponents.
- The Guardians have trailed after 3 innings in each of their last five Saturday night games against AL Central opponents that held a losing record.
- The ‘Inning 1 OVER 0.5 runs’ market has hit in each of the last four night games between the White Sox and Guardians.
- The Guardians have trailed after 5 innings in each of their last five Saturday night games against AL Central opponents that held a losing record.
Cleveland Guardians Player Prop Facts
- Jose Ramirez has hit at least one home run in six of his last 20 appearances with the Guardians as favourites against the White Sox.
- Jose Ramirez has recorded at least one RBI in five of the Guardians’ last six home games.
- Will Brennan has recorded at least one hit in each of his nine previous appearances against the White Sox after playing the previous day.
- Jose Ramirez has recorded two or more total bases in each of the Guardians’ last seven Saturday games against opponents that held a losing record.
Matchup/League Facts
- The Cleveland Guardians ranks 1st in the league for strikeouts against this season (762).
- The Cleveland Guardians ranks 30th in the league for home runs this season (83).
- The Chicago White Sox ranks 30th in the league for on-base percentage this season (.294).
- The Chicago White Sox ranks 29th in the league for walks this season (275).
ANDREW’S FREE PICK
I’ll stay with Cleveland in this one. Probably not touching it, though. The good news for the Guardians is that Kopech is struggling a bit over his last two games, going 0-2 with a combined seven earned in 10.0 innings on 13 hits and six walks. Cleveland should have some early opportunities to place some baserunners. On Friday the Guardians had a nice showing from the bullpen with 3.0 innings, three hits, one walk, no earned and three strikeouts. If Cleveland can get the bats going early here the pen should take care of the rest.
