It’s a showdown between two of the early season’s stingiest pitchers at Tropicana Field on Saturday as Dylan Cease and the Chicago White Sox (7-13) take on Shane McClanahan and the Tampa Bay Rays (17-3).
The Rays took Friday’s series opener 8-7. Reliever Kevin Kelly threw two scoreless innings to get the win. Harold Ramirez went 2 for 3 with a home run, two runs, and two RBIs in the win. Christian Bethancourt added a solo home run. Andrew Benintendi was 2 for 4 with one RBI for the White Sox.
ON THE MOUND
Cease (2-0, 1.65 ERA) is in line to start for Chicago. The RHP allowed four runs (two earned) over six innings in his last start, an 8-4 road defeat against the Orioles on Sunday. He gave up six hits while striking out five and walking five in the no-decision.
Cease is making his first appearance against the Rays this season. Over two starts against the Rays in 2022, Cease was 1-0 with a 0.87 ERA over 10.1 innings. He had 13 strikeouts and nine walks. Southpaw McClanahan (4-0, 1.59 ERA) will take the mound for Tampa Bay. It’s his first appearance of the season against the White Sox.
McClanahan made one start against the White Sox in 2022, throwing six innings in a 6-3 home win on June 3. He gave up six hits while striking out eight in the win.
In his last start on Sunday, McClanahan got the win on the road against the Blue Jays. He threw six innings and gave up one run on four hits, striking out six and walking two in the 8-1 triumph.
AT THE PLATE
Over the last five games, Chicago has averaged 4.0 runs a game, a small drop compared to their season average of 4.5. Against lefties like McClanahan this season, the Sox have a .723 OPS. Elvis Andrus is the team’s most potent producer against left-handers with a .713 OPS in 16 at-bats.
Tampa Bay is averaging only 7.0 runs per game in the last five, consistent with their season average. The Rays have a .900 OPS against right-handers in 2023, highest in the league. With a .456 OBP over 43 at-bats, Yandy Diaz has their highest on-base percentage against right-handers.
HOME AND AWAY
Chicago is on a three-game losing streak on the road, bringing their record to 4-7 in 2023. The Sox have scored 4.6 runs per game away from home, while allowing 4.9 runs. Tampa Bay has won 11 in a row in front of their home fans.
The Rays are 11-0 at home this season, averaging 7.8 runs per game while surrendering 2.5. The teams have split their last 10 games head-to-head at Tropicana Field, though Tampa Bay has the scoring advantage with an average final margin of 5.0-4.3.
STANDINGS UPDATE
The White Sox are fourth in the AL Central, four games behind the division-leading Twins. The Rays lead the AL East by four games over the Orioles.
SportsTips’ MLB Pick:
TB Rays (-190)
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*Odds correct at time of publication, courtesy of BetMGM.
