The White Sox are making a claim at being the best baseball team in Chicago. They lead their division and own the American League’s best record. They’ll look to keep pace with their NL counterparts by sending their ace to the hill Saturday.
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ODDS ANALYSIS
Sitting atop the American League, the White Sox are going to try a new plan for one of their biggest problems. Left-hander John Danks is out after a 10-year run on the south side. Looking to build on their surprising start, the Sox decided they had to cut Danks and search for a more reliable option at the back end of their rotation. Danks pitched in some big games for the White Sox over his career, but hasn’t been the same since he had shoulder surgery in 2012.
Although Danks struggled on the field and had half of the team’s losses when he was let go, he was highly regarded in the clubhouse and served as a mentor to fellow left-handers Chris Sale and Carlos Rodon, two of Chicago’s top starters.
The Sox returned home Tuesday following a 5-2 road trip and defeated Boston for their 11th win in 14 games. Chicago is easily the most profitable team in baseball, in the black 12.19 units on the moneyline.
PROBABLE PITCHERS
Right-hander Ervin Santana (0-1, 3.15 ERA) threw a simulated game Tuesday and remains on track to be activated from the 15-day disabled list on Saturday and start that night against the White Sox. Manager Paul Molitor was encouraged by what he saw from Santana, the club’s opening day starter.
Santana gave up five runs – two earned – on five hits with three walks and two strikeouts on Apr. 19, his last start before going on the DL with back spasms. Santana carries a 3.15 ERA and 18 strikeouts over his first 20 innings spanning four starts.
Chris Sale (6-0, 1.66 ERA) lacked his usual pinpoint control in Sunday’s 7-1 win over the Orioles, walking four while allowing one run over 5.1 innings. He was able to limit the damage by scattering five hits and striking out six, but the walks are unusual. Over 38 innings of his previous five starts, the lefty handed out just five free passes. Sale has allowed just two earned runs over his last four starts and carries a 1.66 ERA and 0.81 WHIP into this encounter.
After missing the Twins when Chicago visited Minnesota earlier this season, Sale will have to face his nemesis. In six starts last year against the Twinkies, Sale was 1-4 with a 7.36 ERA and surrendered 46 hits in 33.0 innings for a 1.58 WHIP.
LIVE BETTING
Sale had a nice season in 2015, winning 13 games, sporting a nifty 3.41 ERA and leading the AL with 274 strikeouts in 208.2 innings. But if you took away his numbers against the Twins, Sale would be in the running for the Cy Young Award.
For some inexplicable reason Sale had his struggles against Minnesota. He faced the Twins in every series the teams played and went just 1-4 in six starts. More confusing were the 46 hits and 27 earned runs allowed over 33.0 innings. He sported a 7.36 ERA, his WHIP was at 1.58 and the Twins hit .319 against him. Sale did his part in the strikeout department, fanning 45 including 10 on three different occasions, but when he wasn’t striking batters out, they were teeing off.
QUICK PICK
It sure is hard to imagine a pitcher as good as Sale getting raked again by the Twins. Outside of one quality start in his six against them last year, the Twins certainly had his number. Minnesota is struggling to find consistency at the dish this season and Sale has been lights out, so it’s easy to give the advantage to the pitcher in this outing.
But what happened against the Twins last baseball season has to be playing in the mind of the White Sox ace. Last year was just that and Sale has moved on. He’s been just short of brilliant this season and he finally puts the Twins down to keep the Sox moving.
MLB Odds: Chicago 5, Minnesota 1
Load your betting bankroll from your smartphone with BookMaker’s new cashier feature! Depositing and withdrawing funds from your account has never been easier. 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 Minnesota Twins and Chicago White Sox is scheduled for Saturday, May 7, 2016, at 7:10 p.m. ET at U.S. Cellular Field. You can watch the contest live on the MLB Network.
