Free MLB Picks Today: Chicago White Sox vs Cleveland Guardians 5/16/23

The Cleveland Guardians (19-21) take one of the least productive lineups in MLB on the road to face the Chicago White Sox (14-28) at Guaranteed Rate Field on Tuesday for the opener of a three-game series.

The Guardians are kicking off a six-game road trip after closing out a nine-game homestand (5-4). They won two out of three in their last series against the Angels, taking the finale 4-3 on Sunday at Progressive Field.

Josh Naylor was 2 for 4 with a home run, two runs, and three RBIs. Jose Ramirez added a double and one run. The White Sox are in the midst of a nine-game homestand.

They lost two of three against the Astros in their last series, dropping the finale 4-3 on Sunday at Guaranteed Rate Field. Luis Robert Jr. went 2 for 4 with a home run and a double. He scored two runs. Jake Burger added a home run and two RBIs.

The teams are meeting for the first time this season. The Guardians won the 2022 season series between the AL Central rivals (12-7), including a sweep in their most recent three-game set at Guaranteed Rate Field in September.

ON THE MOUND

Shane Bieber (3-1, 2.61 ERA) is in line for the start for Cleveland. The right-hander threw six scoreless innings in his last start, a 2-0 road win over the Tigers on May 9. He was credited with the win, giving up seven hits while striking out nine and walking one.

Over five starts against the White Sox in 2022, Bieber was 3-2 with a 2.83 ERA over 35 innings. He had 27 strikeouts and four walks. Righty Lance Lynn (1-5, 7.51 ERA) gets the ball for Chicago. Lynn made five appearances against the Guardians in 2022, all as the starter, striking out 24 and walking six over 28 innings (1-2, 4.50).

In his last start on Wednesday, Lynn took the loss on the road against the Royals. He threw five innings and gave up seven runs on nine hits, striking out four and walking two in the 9-1 defeat.

AT THE PLATE

The Cleveland offense is averaging 3.6 runs per game for the season, second lowest in the league, with a slash line of .228/.303/.342. Ramirez leads the team in OPS at .821. The third baseman is slashing .285/.364/.457 with four home runs, 22 RBIs, and 21 runs over 40 games.

Against right-handed pitchers like Lynn this season, the Guardians have a .645 OPS, third lowest in MLB. Ramirez also is the team’s most productive hitter against right-handers with a .926 OPS in 96 at-bats.

Chicago is slashing .237/.300/.386 for the season and averaging 4.2 runs per game. Robert Jr. leads the team with an .897 OPS. The center fielder has 11 home runs, 27 RBIs, and 29 runs scored with a slash line of .275/.335/.562.

Chicago is averaging only 2.2 runs per game in the last five with their slash line dropping across the board (.226/.274/.348). The Sox have a .671 OPS against right-handers in 2023. With a .819 OPS over 129 at-bats, Robert Jr. also has been their best hitter against right-handers.

HOME AND AWAY

Cleveland is 10-9 away from Progressive Field in 2023, scoring 4.3 runs per game while allowing 4.2 runs. Chicago has gone 7-12 at home this season, averaging 4.2 runs per game while surrendering 6.5. In the last 10 meetings at Guaranteed Rate Field, Cleveland is 6-4 with an average scoreline of 5.8-4.3.

STANDINGS UPDATE

The Guardians are second in the AL Central, three games behind the division-leading Twins. The White Sox are fourth in the AL Central, nine games behind the Twins.