White Sox vs. Twins Pick
Can the Minnesota Twins avoid a big letdown when they take on the Chicago White Sox tonight at 8:10PM ET?
According to oddsmakers at Bovada.lv, the Twins are favored at home, as they are getting odds of -200 to win. Chicago is listed with a money line of +180 to prevail, while the over/under total has been set at 9 runs. Chicago has won the last two between these two, but the Twins have won six of the last 10 meetings.
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The pitching matchup tonight has James Shields (2-4, 5.63 ERA) on the mound for Chicago to face Ervin Santana (13-7, 3.24) of the Twins. Shields has been able to get about six innings deep into his starts, but he has allowed at least three runs in nine of his last 10 outings. Santana has been somewhat shaky as of late, allowing at least two runs in his last 10 starts, with five starts giving up at least four runs. Santana has 139 strikeouts this season with 55 walks and a 1.13 WHIP.
Chicago comes in mildly hot tonight, as the White Sox have won four of their last five games and they have won their last two series. Chicago is 52-77 overall and 22-43 on the road. The Sox are averaging 4.33 runs per game while allowing 5.09 per contest. Chicago is being led by Jose Abreu, who has 35 doubles with 26 home runs and 78 RBI. Avisail Garcia is adding 21 doubles with 13 home runs and 61 RBI.
Minnesota is coming off a weekend series win over the Blue Jays in Toronto. The Twins are now 67-63 on the season and 31-35 at home. Minnesota is putting up 4.80 runs per game while allowing 5.02 per contest. The Twins have been without leading hitter Miguel Sano, who has 28 home runs and 77 RBI. He is dealing with a shine injury. Brian Dozier is adding 23 doubles, 26 home runs and 72 RBI.
Chicago has been playing well as of late and Shields has been able to be competitive on the mound in recent weeks. Santana hasn’t been a shutdown pitcher as of late and the Twins are still without their best hitter in Sano. I think having Minnesota be a -200 favorite in this game is dangerous. I like the White Sox with the longer odds given Santana’s struggles.
MLB DAILY PREDICTION: CHICAGO WHITE SOX +180