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(MLB) Chi White Sox vs. Minnesota,
Money Line: -164.00 Minnesota (Home)
Result: Win
Money Line: -164.00 Minnesota (Home)
Result: Win
The set-up: The Minnesota Twins' lead in the AL Central evaporated when they dropped four straight over the weekend to the Cleveland Indians. The Twins get another shot at the Indians next weekend (three-game series in Cleveland) but first they will host the Chicago White Sox in the opener of a three-game series tonight. Minnesota was outscored 28-8 in dropping four straight to the Indians over the weekend and is 2-just 6 on its 11-game homestand, continuing a season-long problem at Target Field. Minnesota is only 14-24 at home in 2017, getting outscored, 6.13-to-4.58 RPG. However, the Twins have kept themselves in the AL Central hunt with a 20-9 road record. The White Sox have won of five of their last seven games but are mired in last place in the division at 31-37. The good news is, Chicago is just six games out of first.
The pitching matchup: Derek Holland (5-6 & 3.79 ERA) takes the ball for Chicago and Ervin Santana (8-4 & 2.56 ERA) gets it for Minnesota. Holland snapped a three-start losing streak last Tuesday by holding the Baltimore Orioles to one run on eight hits and two walks in six innings of a 6-1 Chicago win. However, he had allowed 14 runs on 17 hits in a combined seven innings over his first two June outings! Holland was not at his best against Minnesota on May 11, when he was charged with seven runs - three earned - on six hits and four walks in five innings to absorb the loss. That leaves him 2-5 with a 4.33 ERA over 10 career starst against Minnesota (teams are 4-6). Santana was arguably the AL's best pitcher in April and May. However, he's lacked consistency in three June starts, sandwiching two poor starts around a shutout in his last three. He had a complete game shutout at San Francisco on June 9 (4-0) but in his prior start and the one after the shutout, allowed 12 ERs on 16 hits in just nine innings! He's faced the White Sox plenty in his long career, going 10-9 with a 3.71 ERA over 24 starts (teams are 13-11).
The pick: Minnesota owns an ugly home record but the White Sox are just 16-25 on the road. I expect Monday's off day helped and note that Santana breezed through two starts against the White Sox in April, surrendering a total of only three hits in 15 scoreless innings en route to two wins. Make Minnesota an 8* play.
The pitching matchup: Derek Holland (5-6 & 3.79 ERA) takes the ball for Chicago and Ervin Santana (8-4 & 2.56 ERA) gets it for Minnesota. Holland snapped a three-start losing streak last Tuesday by holding the Baltimore Orioles to one run on eight hits and two walks in six innings of a 6-1 Chicago win. However, he had allowed 14 runs on 17 hits in a combined seven innings over his first two June outings! Holland was not at his best against Minnesota on May 11, when he was charged with seven runs - three earned - on six hits and four walks in five innings to absorb the loss. That leaves him 2-5 with a 4.33 ERA over 10 career starst against Minnesota (teams are 4-6). Santana was arguably the AL's best pitcher in April and May. However, he's lacked consistency in three June starts, sandwiching two poor starts around a shutout in his last three. He had a complete game shutout at San Francisco on June 9 (4-0) but in his prior start and the one after the shutout, allowed 12 ERs on 16 hits in just nine innings! He's faced the White Sox plenty in his long career, going 10-9 with a 3.71 ERA over 24 starts (teams are 13-11).
The pick: Minnesota owns an ugly home record but the White Sox are just 16-25 on the road. I expect Monday's off day helped and note that Santana breezed through two starts against the White Sox in April, surrendering a total of only three hits in 15 scoreless innings en route to two wins. Make Minnesota an 8* play.
