The Cubs aren’t the only team in Chicago off to a strong start to the year, the White Sox are four games over the breakeven point 12 games into the season. The Sox got slowed by the Rays over the weekend, losing back-to-back games, but are in position to take another series against a sluggish Angels’ team, playing the pivotal third game of a four game series on Wednesday afternoon.
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ODDS ANALYSIS
Minnesota held the Angels down this past weekend, sweeping a three game series after failing to win a game in their previous nine games.
It could be said that the Twins were better than the 0-9 start and due for a winning streak, but the fact they couldn’t beat a team that was winless coming into the series is telling.
PROBABLE PITCHERS
Chris Sale will be given the chance to win his fourth straight game to open up the season on Wednesday, taking the ball for the White Sox.
The 27-year old southpaw will take the mound off his best start of the year, tossing a complete game shutout against the Rays on Friday night. Sale struck out nine in the effort and allowed just two hits, walking none.
Overall, Sale is 3-0 with a 2.35 ERA and 0.783 WHIP over a league leading 23 innings of work. Since becoming a starter in 2012, Sale just keeps getting better and better and has finished as a top-five vote getter in the AL Cy Young Award race each of the last three years.
Sale has pitched well against every team, but he’s particularly strong against the Angels. In seven games—and five starts—he’s 4-0 with a 1.64 ERA and 0.757 WHIP, striking out 41 in 38 1/3 innings of work. Specifically, he’s gotten the best of Mike Trout, holding him to 3-for-13, though one of those three hits was a home run.
The Angels will counter Sale with an ace of their own in the person of Garrett Richards.
The 28-year old right-hander has a solid 3.57 ERA and 9.7 strikeout per nine inning ratio, but he’s 0-2 here in the early going. The Angels have struggled with the bats and Richards is one of the pitchers feeling the effects.
LIVE BETTING
There are holes in both team’s lineups. The White Sox have Jose Abreu in the heart of the order and Adam Eaton up top hitting well, but Todd Frazier hasn’t gotten hot yet, providing little outside a couple bombs. Brett Lawrie is a useful player, but he and Melky Cabrera are the only players offering Abreu and Eaton any support.
As for the Angels, it comes down to just a couple of hitters, too. Albert Pujols is ice cold and even Mike Trout is hitting just .231 and has already struck out 12 times.
Given the pitching matchup, the more telling part of the teams to examine may be the bullpen.
Provided Sale cannot close out the game himself for the second straight game, he’s got a strong back end behind him. David Robertson, Matt Albers, Nate Jones, Jake Petricka and Dan Jennings have combined to throw 22 innings, allowing only a single run.
For the Angels, Huston Street has converted three save opportunities and held the opposition scoreless through four and a third innings, but Fernando Salas, Joe Smith and Mike Morin have all given up a long ball early on.
The Sox offense hasn’t exactly been operating on all cylinders, but the team does have plenty of thump to make this unit pay when it matters most.
QUICK PICK
Back-to-back losses to the Rays is a bit concerning, as is five straight games scoring three runs of fewer, but with Sale on the mound, three runs should be more than enough. Three straight losses to the Twins, however, is more troublesome.
Sale completely destroyed the Rays last time out and is easily one of the best pitchers in the sport.
With that, look for him to outduel Richards and lead White Sox to the home win in a lower scoring affair.
MLB Odds: White Sox 4, Angels 2
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BookMaker's live betting platform means you always have access to odds and lines to every sporting event. Click here and start wagering today! First pitch for the game between the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim and Chicago White Sox is scheduled for Wednesday, April 20 2016, at 2:10 p.m. ET at U.S. Cellular Field. The game will be televised live on WGN.
