After getting worked over by the White Sox in a three-game road set last month, the Rangers are looking to return the favor when the clubs open a series Monday in Arlington. Chicago’s AL-best record is born on quality pitching and the group limited Texas to just four runs in the earlier sweep.
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ODDS ANALYSIS
On Friday, the White Sox became the second team in baseball to reach the 20-win plateau, behind only their cross-town counterparts. After winning just 76 games last season, the Sox are already more than a quarter of the way to that mark. Their pitching has been exceptional, as they lead the American League in ERA, and they’re even more dangerous when they have a lead late in games.
The White Sox swept a three-game set from Texas when the teams met in Chicago from Apr. 22-24 and held the Rangers to a total of four runs while scoring 13 times. They played below the total in all three games and the under is 17-10-3 in the Sox first 30 contests.
PROBABLE PITCHERS
Miguel Gonzalez (0-0, 8.44 ERA) will get his turn in the White Sox rotation following the release of John Danks last week. Gonzalez, who signed a minor-league deal on Apr. 3, earned a no-decision in his previous start against Toronto on Apr. 25. Manager Robin Ventura did not speculate on what Gonzalez’s role might be beyond Monday.
It wasn’t a pretty effort for Gonzalez against the Jays as he surrendered five runs on 11 hits in 5.1 innings. The right-hander made 26 starts for Baltimore in 2015 posting a 4.91 ERA and 9-12 record over 144.2 innings.
Colby Lewis (2-0, 3.32 ERA) tossed seven innings with seven strikeouts, allowing three earned runs in a no-decision against the Blue Jays his last time out. A two-run homer given up to Edward Encarnacion was the difference between a win and no-decision. Nonetheless, Lewis has offered solid work, going at least six innings in all of his starts with a 3.32 ERA.
No one expected the right-hander to escape that game without allowing a home run. But Lewis threw strikes and exploited the Jays’ free swingers. The long ball has been a bugga-boo for Lewis with seven allowed in 38.0 innings so far.
LIVE BETTING
Rougned Odor is doing his best to prove his second-half outburst last season wasn’t a fluke. Odor continued to swing a hot bat Friday night, going 3 for 5 with a home run and three RBIs. It was his team-best fifth homer and he also added a two-run double in the Rangers’ victory over Detroit. Odor struggled at the dish early, managing just a .205 average through 12 games. However, the young second baseman has busted out recently, raising his average to nearly .300.
Skepticism has surrounded Odor since his second-half breakout in 2015 when he hit .292 with15 home runs after being called up in June. But he has exceeded expectations, giving the Rangers a five-tool player at the top of their lineup.
QUICK PICK
Chicago’s AL-best record has been built on strong pitching. But the No. 5 spot in the rotation is a revolving door following the release of veteran John Danks. The Sox slotted Erik Johnson in that spot last week, but he was optioned back to Triple-A after losing to the Red Sox. Now it’s time for Gonzalez to get an audition. He’s pitched in just one game this season and it didn’t go too well. Gonzalez was cuffed around by the Blue Jays.
At least the veteran righty will be well-rested after not pitching for 13 days. But that likely won’t matter against a Rangers club that has shown signs of breaking out of an offensive slumber. And Texas is better at bashing the baseball in its home park.
MLB Odds: Texas 5, Chicago 4
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