The Chicago White Sox (36-49) is on the road to face the Oakland Athletics (23-62) at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum on Sunday with the home team looking to sweep the three-game series.
The Athletics lead the series 2-0 after winning 7-6 in 10 innings on Saturday. Shintaro Fujinami threw one scoreless inning out of the bullpen to get the win.
Ryan Noda went 1 for 2 with a double, one run, and one RBI, walking three times, in the win. Eloy Jimenez was 2 for 3 with a home run and two RBIs for the White Sox. Luis Robert Jr. went 3 for 5 with a double and two runs.
ON THE MOUND
Michael Kopech (3-7, 4.08 ERA) is in line for the start for Chicago. The righty allowed two runs over four innings in his last start, a 4-2 home defeat against the Angels on Tuesday. He was charged with the loss, yielding four hits while striking out three and walking seven.
RHP Paul Blackburn (1-0, 3.77 ERA) will toe the rubber for Oakland. It’s his first appearance of the season against the White Sox. Blackburn made one start against the White Sox in 2022, throwing five innings in a 3-2 road defeat on July 30.
He gave up five hits while striking out four in the no-decision. In his last start on Tuesday, Blackburn got the win at home against the Yankees. He threw 5.1 innings and gave up one run on four hits, striking out five and walking one in the 2-1 triumph.
AT THE PLATE
Over the last five games, Chicago has averaged 6.4 runs a game, up from their season average of 4.2, while performing better across the board (.293/.370/.468). Against right-handed pitchers like Blackburn this season, the Sox have a .682 OPS, third highest in the league.
Robert Jr. is the team’s best performer against right-handers with a .826 OPS in 243 at-bats. Oakland is averaging 4.0 runs per game in the last five, up slightly from 3.5 for the season.
The A’s have a .637 OPS against right-handers in 2023, the third highest in MLB. With a .791 OPS over 204 at-bats, Noda has been their best hitter against right-handers.
HOME AND AWAY
Chicago is 16-29 away from Guaranteed Rate Field in 2023, scoring 4.2 runs per game while allowing 4.8 runs. Oakland has gone 12-31 at home this season, averaging 3.2 runs per game while surrendering 5.9.
Oakland is 6-4 in the last 10 meetings at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum despite an average scoreline favoring Chicago (5.4-4.8).
STANDINGS UPDATE
The White Sox are fourth in the AL Central, five games behind the division-leading Twins. The Athletics are fifth in the AL West, 28 games behind the Rangers.
SportsTips’ MLB Pick:
Chicago White Sox (-135)
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*Odds correct at time of publication, courtesy of BetMGM.
