The White Sox and A’s will close out the MLB action on Wednesday with the third of a four game series in Oakland.
Both teams need to get off to strong starts to change a less-than-flattering narrative for each team with the LaRoche controversy still hanging over Chicago’s head and low expectations for the A’s.
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ODDS ANALYSIS
Thought to be the worst team in a rather balanced American League, Oakland is slotted at a 75.5 win total for the season.
Not exactly thought to be an elite team either, despite a strong spring performance, the White Sox aren’t the team getting the attention in the Windy City. With the Cubs the odds on favorites to win the World Series, the White Sox’s win total is set at 80.5.
PROBABLE PITCHERS
This isn’t the opening day matchup of Chris Sale versus Sonny Gray, but there should still be some intrigue as 23-year old southpaw Carlos Rondon takes the hill for the White Sox.
The youngster made his debut a season ago with some fanfare and performed admirably in his first round of action at the big league level. Chicago is counting on him taking a nice step forward this season.
Last year, Rondon went 9-6 through 26 games, including 23 starts, pitching to a 3.75 ERA in 139 1/3 innings. While those surface numbers were strong, he did allow a few too many base runners, posting a 1.44 WHIP. Still his FIP was in check at 3.87 and we saw him strikeout a batter per inning.
Rodon’s season last year was far more impressive than A’s starter Chris Bassitt who Oakland will turn to in Game 3.
The 27-year old right-hander made five starts for the White Sox in 2014. He got 13 starts for Oakland last year in 18 games. His 1-8 record should leave you weary of backing the A’s in any game he starts, but his personal numbers were quite strong.
In his 86 big league innings, he posted a 3.56 ERA and 1.256 WHIP. He doesn’t have the power arm of Rondon, but he showed himself effective in limited action last year.
LIVE BETTING
Last offseason, the White Sox added Adam LaRoche and Melky Cabrera to help improve the offense and make Chicago a playoff team.
Instead, the White Sox offense was the worst in the American League. This season, Cabrera is taking LaRoche’s spot as the primary designated hitter with Austin Jackson’s signing bumping Adam Eaton to left field.
More importantly, the White Sox have shored the infield, replacing everyone not named Jose Abreu. From third to second, the Sox now have Todd Frazier, Jimmy Rollins and Brett Lawrie. Rollins is past his prime, but a professional while Frazier and Lawrie could both make real differences for this team.
Oakland did a good job addressing its biggest needs in the offseason, too.
Last year, the A’s had a run differential of -35. While not good, their 68-94 record was the worst in the league while Chicago, Detroit and Seattle all had worse differentials. One of the reasons: a struggling bullpen.
Oakland has Sean Doolittle back and healthy and backed him up with additions of Ryan Madson, John Axford, Liam Hendriks and Mark Rzepczynksi. If this game is close late, don’t automatically look for Oakland to fold like they were prone to do a year ago.
QUICK PICK
Bassitt pitched well last season, but couldn’t get himself in the win column but one time.
While that wasn’t exactly Bassitt’s fault, it does show that he didn’t have enough to put the A’s over the edge given their offense and their competition.
Rondon has the better stuff and is the better pitcher. The Sox improved offense actually looks better, at least on paper than the one in Oakland.
Look for more offense from the team on the South Side and enough to get the win on Wednesday in a close game.
Chicago 5, Oakland 4
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