Dylan Cease, one of this season’s stingiest pitchers, leads the way for the Chicago White Sox (73-69) as they face off against the Colorado Rockies (61-81) at Guaranteed Rate Field on Wednesday with the home team eyeing a sweep of the two-game Interleague series. The White Sox took Tuesday’s series opener 4-2, their second head-to-head victory in three games this season. Michael Kopech went five innings, giving up two runs on three hits, to get the win, and Liam Hendriks picked up his 33rd save with a scoreless ninth. Jose Abreu went 2 for 3 with a home run and two runs in the win. Elvis Andrus added a double and one run. Alan Trejo was 1 for 3 with a home run and two RBIs for the Rockies.
ON THE MOUND
Kyle Freeland (8-9, 4.63 ERA) is set to start for Colorado. The lefty allowed one run over six innings in his last start, an 8-4 road win over the Brewers on September 7. He earned the win, giving up two hits while striking out eight and walking one. Right-hander Cease (14-6, 2.13 ERA) will toe the rubber for Chicago. It’s his first appearance of the season against the Rockies. In his last start on Thursday, Cease got the win on the road against the Athletics. He threw six scoreless innings and gave up three hits, striking out nine and walking two in the 14-2 triumph. The RHP ranks second in the AL in ERA and strikeouts (206), and is tied for third in wins.
AT THE PLATE
Over the last five games, Colorado has averaged 6.6 runs a game, up from their season average of 4.5, while slashing better across the board (.259/.328/.512). Against right-handed pitchers like Cease this season, the Rockies have a .693 OPS. C.J. Cron is the team’s most productive hitter against right-handers with a .845 OPS in 359 at-bats. Chicago is averaging 7.2 runs per game in the last five, up from 4.3 for the season, with an improved slash line (.319/.364/.519). The Sox have a .802 OPS against left-handers in 2022, second highest in MLB. With a 1.006 OPS over 105 at-bats, AJ Pollock has been their best hitter against left-handers.
HOME AND AWAY
Colorado is 21-47 in away games in 2022, scoring 3.0 runs per game while allowing 5.1 runs. Chicago has gone 35-36 at Guaranteed Rate Field this season, averaging 4.3 runs per game while surrendering 5.1. In four meetings at Guaranteed Rate Field, each club has won two, though Colorado has the scoring advantage with an average final margin of 3.3-3.0.
STANDINGS UPDATE
The Rockies are fifth in the NL West, 37 games behind the division-leading Dodgers. The White Sox are second in the AL Central, three games behind the Guardians. They are fifth in the Wild Card race, six games out of a postseason position.
SportsTips’ MLB Pick:
Chicago White Sox (-250)
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*Odds correct at time of publication, courtesy of BetMGM.
