Dylan Cease, one of this season’s stingiest pitchers, is set to take the mound for the Chicago White Sox (76-71) as they face off against the Cleveland Guardians (80-67) at Guaranteed Rate Field on Tuesday for the first of a three-game series. The Guardians are playing their first of six games on the road after closing out a productive nine-game homestand (7-2). They won four out of five in their last series against the Twins, taking the finale 11-4 on Monday at Progressive Field. Josh Naylor was 2 for 3 with a home run and a double. He had three RBIs. Amed Rosario added a home run, three runs, and three RBIs. The White Sox are playing the first of six games at home. They won two of three against the Tigers in their last series, taking the finale 11-5 on Sunday at Comerica Park. Eloy Jimenez’s on-base streak reached 13 games as he went 3 for 4 with a home run and a double. He scored two runs and had three RBIs.
HEAD-TO-HEAD
The Guardians have won nine of 16 in the season series between the AL Central rivals, although they suffered an 8-2 defeat in their last meeting on Thursday at Progressive Field. Starter Lance Lynn went 6.1 innings, giving up two runs on six hits, to get the win.
ON THE MOUND
Aaron Civale (2-6, 5.40 ERA) is set to start for Cleveland. The RHP allowed four runs over 6.1 innings in his last start, a 4-0 home defeat against the Mariners on August 28. He was charged with the loss, yielding four hits while striking out five and walking two. Civale has made one previous start against the White Sox this season, a 2-1 home loss on July 13. He allowed two hits over one scoreless inning, striking out one.For Chicago, RHP Cease (14-7, 2.16 ERA) takes the mound. He has made three appearances against the Guardians this season, all as the starter, giving up four runs over 17 innings (2-1, 2.12) with 16 strikeouts and six walks. In his last start on Wednesday, Cease took the loss at home against the Rockies. He threw five innings and gave up three runs on six hits, striking out eight and walking two in the 3-0 defeat. The RHP ranks second in the AL in strikeouts (214), third in ERA, and tied for third in wins.
AT THE PLATE
The Cleveland offense is averaging 4.2 runs per game for the season, with a slash line of .251/.314/.379. Jose Ramirez leads the team in OPS at .883. The third baseman is slashing .278/.357/.526 with 28 home runs, 113 RBIs, and 82 runs over 143 games. Over the last five games, though, Cleveland has averaged 5.4 runs a game while slashing better across the board (.267/.341/.406). Against righties like Cease this season, the Guardians have a .711 OPS. Ramirez also is the team’s most potent producer against right-handers with a .928 OPS in 403 at-bats. Chicago is slashing .261/.316/.393 for the season and averaging 4.4 runs per game. Jose Abreu leads the team with a .835 OPS. The first baseman has 15 home runs, 71 RBIs, and 82 runs scored with a slash line of .309/.383/.452. The Sox have a .688 OPS against right-handers in 2022. With a .837 OPS over 446 at-bats, Abreu also has been their best hitter against right-handers.
HOME AND AWAY
Cleveland is on a three-game winning streak in road games, bringing their record to 40-35 in 2022. The Guardians have scored 4.4 runs per game away from home, while allowing 3.9 runs. Chicago has gone 35-37 at Guaranteed Rate Field this season, averaging 4.2 runs per game while surrendering 5.0. The teams have split their last 10 meetings at Guaranteed Rate Field, though Cleveland has the scoring advantage with an average final margin of 5.7-4.9.
STANDINGS UPDATE
The Guardians lead the AL Central by three games over the White Sox. The White Sox are fifth in the Wild Card race, five games out of a postseason position.
SportsTips’ MLB Pick:
Chicago White Sox
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*Odds correct at time of publication, courtesy of BetMGM.
