ODDS ANALYSIS
The White Sox won for the third time in four games and got their first victory in Minnesota in six tries this season with a 6-2 win on Tuesday. The six runs were the most in a game by the Sox since beating Texas 9-2 on June 3, a span of 19 games.
The under is 12-6-1 in that span and 41-27-2 overall. The Sox cashed the under in each of starter Chris Sale’s last three games and seven times in his last eight starts.
The Twins continue to look for the magic that carried them to 20 wins during the month of May. Tuesday’s 3-2 loss to the White Sox was Minnesota’s third in its last four games, dropping the Twins to 8-14 in June games and was the first at home to the Sox in six games this season. The Twins are 8-4 overall against their division rivals this season up 5.21 units on the moneyline.
PITCHING MATCHUP
Chris Sale (6-3, 2.74 ERA) was brilliant his last time out when he became the third pitcher in the modern era to pitch five straight games with 12 or more strikeouts. He fanned 14 over eight scoreless innings but took a no-decision after the bullpen surrendered two runs in the ninth. During his five-game stretch across 37.1 innings he’s allowed a combined three runs with 65 strikeouts.
Sale has struggled versus the Twins this season with a 6.35 ERA in 17 innings over three starts. He was tagged with eight earned runs on nine hits over three innings in a 12-2 loss in his only start at Target Field this year.
After a rough start to the year, Phil Hughes (5-6, 4.47 ERA) has been better recently, turning in three straight quality starts. He’s coming off his best start of the season when he gave up just one run on two hits over eight innings Friday against the Cubs.
Two of Minnesota’s four losses to the Sox came with Hughes as the starter. He gave up three earned in a 6-2 loss facing Sale on Apr. 12 and allowed two runs on eight hits in seven innings in a 3-2 loss on May 22. Both starts were in Chicago.
QUOTE TO NOTE
“It’s an honor to get my name mentioned with them, but it’s something more for you guys [media] and friends and family. I’m here for one reason and that’s winning ballgames. All the other stuff is more of a distraction than anything, really.” – White Sox pitcher Chris Sale on joining Hall of Famers Pedro Martinez and Randy Johnson by striking out at least 12 in five straight starts.
LIVE BETTING or SITUATIONAL BETTING
Minnesota had the American League’s best home record entering this month before hitting .227 and averaging 2.3 runs while dropping seven of its first 11 in June at Target Field. The Twins totaled one run in back-to-back losses over the weekend before breaking out with 15 hits in Monday’s 13-2 victory. “Just to have an outbreak like that, that was pretty cool,” Twins’ outfielder Torii Hunter said. Minnesota certainly hasn’t struggled against White Sox pitching, hitting .282 and averaging 6.4 runs while winning eight of 12 meetings. The Twins scored 46 runs and hit .357 winning five of six matchups at Target Field.
PROP TALK
If you like strikeouts you have to watch Chris Sale pitch. Sale became just the third player to strikeout at least 12 in five consecutive starts with 14 whiffs of the Rangers in his last outing and has 65 Ks in 37.1 innings in that span. Sale started his run of six straight double-figure strikeout games by fanning 10 Twins on May 23 and has 10 or more strikeouts in seven of his last eight starts leading MLB with 12.08 strikeouts per nine innings. He’s faced the Twins on three occasions this season with 22 punch-outs in 17 innings. Taking the over on Sale’s K total looks like a good bet.
ANALYSIS AND PREDICTION
Sox starter Chris Sale has been the best pitcher in baseball over the last month. Not only is he racking up the strikeouts, he’s pitched into the seventh inning in each of his last eight starts and his ERA over his last five outings is 0.72. That’s right, 0.72 with three wins, a loss and a no-decision to show for it. Sale has struggled against the Twins but that was before he found the groove and the Twins aren’t smacking the ball around the yard. Look for Sale to dominate and the Sox to get the victory.
Chicago 4, Minnesota 2
The MLB lines for this contest will first be released by BookMaker Sportsbook. Gamble on the game between every half inning with BookMaker’s live betting feature. Along with an adjusted in-game moneyline, you can wager on what will happen in the next at-bat or how many runs will be scored in the next inning. Live betting is the most exciting way to play!
Access live betting lines from your mobile device at BookMaker Sportsbook! You can wager on sporting events as they unfold on television with BookMaker’s live betting platform. Real-time spreads, totals, props and moneyline odds are all available by clicking here so start betting with BookMaker today! The ballgame pitting the Chicago White Sox versus the Minnesota Twins will commence Wednesday, June 24, 2015, at 1:10 p.m. ET at Target Field. You can watch the contest live on the MLB Network.
