Chicago White Sox vs. Cleveland Indians Betting Preview
Where: Progressive Field — Cleveland, Ohio
When: Friday, September 23, 2016, 7:10 PM ET
Line: Chicago White Sox (+140) at Cleveland Indians (-155); total: 8.5– view all MLB lines
TV Broadcast: CSCh / STO
Writer’s Pick: Cleveland Indians (-155)
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Betting on the Chicago White Sox (+140)
An entry to the postseason appears almost impossible for the Chicago White Sox, who are 9.5 games short of the second wild card slot in the American League. Winning the rest of the way is likely not enough, as they will also need some help to prolong their season. Hence, a loss for Chicago in tonight’s opener against the Indians is unacceptable.
The pressure is on Miguel Gonzalez (4-7, 3.83 ERA) to deliver good results on the mound. He’s allowed no more than three runs in his last three starts, and has conceded just a pair of walks in the same stretch. Expect him to sustain that level of play against Cleveland—a team in which Gonzalez carries an unbeaten 4-0 record along with a quality ERA of 3.26.
Chicago’s offense, meanwhile, should continue to receive solid productions from Jose Abreu and Todd Frazier.
Abreu, despite going hitless in his last outing, heads into Progressive Field overflowing with confidence. He has a career triple-slash line of .325/.384/.614 against Cleveland, and is 10-for-25 all-time versus Indians starter Trevor Bauer. Frazier, on the other hand, is looking to extend his six-game hitting streak later.
The White Sox walk into this game as losers of their previous five games.
Betting on the Cleveland Indians (-155)
The Cleveland Indians moved a step closer to clinching their first AL Central title since 2007 after beating the Royals last night, 5-2.
Carlos Santana’s hit of off Kansas City’s Dillon Gee in the sixth frame was huge, as it snapped a 2-2 tie and allowed Cleveland to eventually win the game. The Indians are going to need Santana and the rest of the offense (4.87 runs per game this season) to contribute more in tonight’s series opener with the White Sox, a team that’s beaten them in three of their last four meetings.
Trevor Bauer (11-8, 4.24 ERA) is starting for Indians, but that isn’t exactly good news. The California native has been lit up in his last three starts, piling up a total of 17 runs allowed on 23 hits during that stretch. Bauer’s struggles could end later though, as he owns a solid track record (3-2, 3.70 ERA) through 11 career games (nine starts) versus Chicago.
Writer’s Prediction
Bauer comes alive to lead the Indians (-155) to a tightly-contested victory, 4-3.
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