The Chicago White Sox (22-33) host the Los Angeles Angels (28-26) at Guaranteed Rate Field on Monday to open a three-game series. The Angels are playing their first of seven games on the road after closing out a nine-game homestand (5-4).
They are coming off a three-game sweep at the hands of the Marlins, dropping the finale 2-0 on Sunday at Angel Stadium of Anaheim. Zach Neto was 1 for 1 with a double.
The White Sox are playing the first of six games at home after finishing up a seven-game road trip (3-4). They lost three of four against the Tigers in their last series, dropping the finale 6-5 on Sunday at Comerica Park.
Tim Anderson went 3 for 5 with a double and one run. The teams are meeting for the first time this season. In 2022, the Angels won four of the seven games between the teams, including two out of three in their most recent meeting at Angel Stadium of Anaheim in June.
ON THE MOUND
Griffin Canning (3-2, 4.95 ERA) is set to start for Los Angeles. The RHP threw seven scoreless innings in his last start, a 4-0 road win over the Red Sox on Tuesday. He was credited with the win, giving up two hits while striking out five and walking three.
For Chicago, right-hander Michael Kopech (3-4, 4.24 ERA) will take the mound. Kopech made one start against the Angels in 2022, throwing 5.1 innings in a 4-1 road defeat on June 29.
He gave up five hits and walked two, while striking out six in the loss. In his last start on Wednesday, Kopech got the win on the road against the Guardians. He threw seven scoreless innings and gave up two hits, striking out nine and walking one in the 6-0 victory.
AT THE PLATE
The Los Angeles offense is averaging 4.8 runs per game for the season, with a slash line of .260/.328/.424. Mike Trout leads the team in OPS at .903. The center fielder is slashing .284/.372/.532 with 12 home runs, 28 RBIs, and 33 runs over 50 games.
Over the last five games, though, Los Angeles has averaged only 3.6 runs a game due in part to a worse on-base performance (.326). Against righties like Kopech this season, the Halos have a .738 OPS. Trout also is the team’s strongest performer against right-handers with a .931 OPS in 138 at-bats.
Chicago is slashing .239/.296/.385 for the season and averaging 4.3 runs per game. Luis Robert Jr. leads the team with an .857 OPS. The center fielder has 13 home runs, 30 RBIs, and 35 runs scored with a slash line of .263/.320/.537.
Chicago is averaging 5.6 runs per game in the last five. The Sox have a .664 OPS against right-handers in 2023, fifth lowest in the league. With a .774 OPS over 157 at-bats, Robert Jr. also has been their best hitter against right-handers.
HOME AND AWAY
Los Angeles is 13-13 away from Angel Stadium of Anaheim in 2023, scoring 4.7 runs per game while allowing 4.3 runs. Chicago has won three in a row at their home park.
The Sox are 12-13 at home this season, averaging 4.3 runs per game while surrendering 5.4. In the last 10 meetings at Guaranteed Rate Field, Los Angeles is 6-4 despite an average scoreline favoring Chicago (4.3-4.0).
STANDINGS UPDATE
The Angels are third in the AL West, five games behind the division-leading Rangers. The White Sox are fourth in the AL Central, six games behind the Twins.
SportsTips’ MLB Pick:
LA Angels (+110)
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*Odds correct at time of publication, courtesy of BetMGM.
