Free MLB Picks Today: Chicago White Sox vs Minnesota Twins 9/2/22

The Minnesota Twins (67-62) are on the road to face the Chicago White Sox (65-66) at Guaranteed Rate Field on Friday for the opener of a three-game series. The Twins are playing their first of seven games on the road after wrapping up a successful six-game homestand (5-1). They won two out of three in their last series against the Red Sox, dropping the finale 6-5 on Wednesday at Target Field. Nick Gordon was 2 for 4 with two doubles, one run, and two RBIs. The White Sox are kicking off the final series of their nine-game homestand. They won two of three against the Royals in their last series, taking the finale 7-1 on Thursday at Guaranteed Rate Field. AJ Pollock went 2 for 4 with a home run, two runs, and two RBIs.

HEAD-TO-HEAD

The Twins have won six of 10 in the season series between the AL Central rivals, although they suffered an 11-0 defeat in their last meeting on July 17 at Target Field. Starter Dylan Cease threw seven scoreless innings- striking out eight – to get the win.

ON THE MOUND

Sonny Gray (7-4, 3.04 ERA) is slated for the start for Minnesota. The righty allowed one run over five innings in his last start, a 3-2 home win over the Giants on Saturday. He gave up one hit while striking out four and walking four in the no-decision. Gray has made one previous start against the White Sox this season, a 12-2 home loss on July 14. He surrendered six runs on nine hits over 3.2 innings, striking out three and walking one. For Chicago, left-hander Davis Martin (2-4, 4.85 ERA) gets the ball. It’s his first appearance of the season against the Twins. In his last start on Saturday, Martin took the loss at home against the Diamondbacks. He threw three innings and gave up five runs (3 ER) on four hits, striking out two and walking four in the 10-5 defeat.

AT THE PLATE

The Minnesota offense is averaging 4.5 runs per game for the season, with a slash line of .249/.320/.411. Luis Arraez leads the team in OPS at .809. The second baseman is slashing .319/.385/.424 with eight home runs, 45 RBIs, and 73 runs over 116 games. Over the last five games, however, Minnesota has averaged 6.0 runs a game while performing better across the board (.273/.372/.442). Against southpaws like Martin this season, the Twins have a .712 OPS. Byron Buxton is the team’s most potent producer against left-handers with a .917 OPS in 103 at-bats. Chicago is slashing .259/.315/.385 for the season and averaging 4.2 runs per game. Jose Abreu leads the team with a .839 OPS. The first baseman has 14 home runs, 61 RBIs, and 72 runs scored with a slash line of .309/.385/.455. The Sox have a .683 OPS against righties in 2022. With a .825 OPS over 397 at-bats, Abreu also has been their best hitter against right-handers.

HOME AND AWAY

Minnesota is on a five-game losing streak in road games, bringing their record to 27-33 in 2022. The Twins have scored 4.7 runs per game away from home, while allowing 4.5 runs. Chicago has gone 32-35 at their home ballpark this season, averaging 4.2 runs per game while surrendering 5.2. Chicago is 6-4 in the last 10 games at Guaranteed Rate Field between the teams with an average scoreline of 6.0-5.4.

STANDINGS UPDATE

The Twins are second in the AL Central, one games behind the division-leading Guardians. The White Sox are third in the AL Central, five games behind the Guardians. They are sixth in the Wild Card race, six games out of a postseason position.