Free MLB Picks Today: Arizona Diamondbacks vs Chicago White Sox 8/28/22

Dylan Cease, one of this season’s stingiest pitchers, is set to take the mound for the Chicago White Sox (63-64) as they face off against the Arizona Diamondbacks (58-67) at Guaranteed Rate Field on Sunday with the visitors in position for a sweep of the three-game Interleague series. The Diamondbacks lead the series 2-0 after winning 10-5 on Saturday, their seventh straight head-to-head victory. Starter Merrill Kelly got the win, allowing four runs on five hits over 7.1 innings. Jake McCarthy was 4 for 5 with three runs in the win. Romy Gonzalez went 2 for 4 with a double, one run, and one RBI for the White Sox.

ON THE MOUND

Zach Davies (2-4, 3.86 ERA) is in line to get the start for Arizona. The right-hander allowed one run over 5.2 innings in his last start, a 7-3 road win over the Royals on Tuesday. He gave up two hits while striking out one and walking two in the no-decision. Davies is making his first appearance against the White Sox this season. Davies made one start against the White Sox in 2021, a 9-3 home loss for the Cubs on August 8. He surrendered seven runs on seven hits over two innings, striking out five and walking one. Righty Cease (12-6, 2.27 ERA) will toe the rubber for Chicago. It’s his first appearance of the season against the Diamondbacks. In his last start on Tuesday, Cease took the loss on the road against the Orioles. He threw 5.1 innings and gave up four runs on three hits, striking out four and walking three in the 5-3 defeat. The right-hander is tied for second in the AL in strikeouts (182), third in ERA, and tied for third in wins.

AT THE PLATE

Over the last five games, Arizona has averaged 6.2 runs a game, up from their season average of 4.3, due in part to improved on-base performance (.352 vs .308). Against righties like Cease this season, the D-backs have a .697 OPS. Daulton Varsho is the team’s strongest hitter against right-handers with a .788 OPS in 324 at-bats. Chicago is averaging only 3.6 runs per game in the last five, down slightly from 4.2 for the season. The Sox have a .681 OPS against right-handers in 2022. With a .825 OPS over 389 at-bats, Jose Abreu has been their best hitter against right-handers.

HOME AND AWAY

Arizona is 26-35 in away games in 2022, scoring 4.2 runs per game while allowing 4.7 runs. Chicago has lost four in a row at Guaranteed Rate Field. The Sox are 30-33 at home this season, averaging 4.1 runs per game while surrendering 5.3. Arizona is 6-2 in eight games between the teams at Guaranteed Rate Field with an average scoreline of 6.6-4.6.

STANDINGS UPDATE

The Diamondbacks are fourth in the NL West, 29 games behind the division-leading Dodgers. The White Sox are third in the AL Central, five games behind the Guardians.