Indians are MLB Betting Favorites Against White Sox This Wednesday

Posted by Michael Hunt on Tuesday,April 11, 2017 10:52, EDT in

MLB News, Betting Tips, Picks & Previews

The Chicago White Sox signed veteran left-hander Derek Holland to a one-year deal this past offseason with the hopes of flipping him by the July 31 trade deadline this summer if he pitches well enough. Holland will face defending American League champion Cleveland on Wednesday, with the Tribe as solid MLB betting favorites.

White Sox at Indians MLB Betting Preview & Game Info

Sights and sounds from Opening Week 2017: pic.twitter.com/2PsVe9AViA

— Chicago White Sox (@whitesox) April 10, 2017

When: Wednesday, April 12, 6:10 PM ET
Where: Progressive Field, Cleveland
Probable pitchers (away/home): Derek Holland/Danny Salazar
TV: MLB Extra Innings
Stream: MLB.tv
Radio: White Sox / Indians
Opening MLB Lines: Indians favored by TBA

Why Bet On Chicago?

The White Sox remain without No. 2 starter Carlos Rodon (biceps), who will be re-evaluated when the White Sox return home on April 21. Rodon will remain at the team’s spring training complex in Arizona for now to continue his throwing program. The left-hander should rejoin the rotation sometime next month.

The White Sox have gone 260-336 vs. the American League Central division since 2009, with their only winning record coming in 2012 (37-35). The Sox are 2-2 vs. the AL Central this season after going 32-44 in 2016 when they lost 41 of their last 65 games.

José Abreu is the seventh player in major-league history to drive in 100 or more runs in each of his first three seasons (2014-16), joining Albert Pujols (10, 2001-10), Hideki Matsui (3, 2003-05), Ted Williams (8, 1939-49; did not play from 1943-45), Joe DiMaggio (7, 1936-42), Al Simmons (11, 1924-34) and Pinky Whitney (3, 1928-30). Abreu also is the first player in White Sox history to record 30-plus doubles, 25- plus home runs and 100-plus RBI in each of his first three seasons.

In his White Sox debut, Holland gave up three runs (two earned) over six-plus innings in Friday’s loss to the Twins. The White Sox made three errors behind Holland, which didn’t help matters. The southpaw gave up the go-ahead run on a double to Miguel Sano in the sixth, but it was a solid outing for the most part, as he gave up just four hits and walked one batter while striking out five. The 30-year- old has dealt with injuries in recent years and owns a 4.93 ERA over the past two seasons.

“It was a good first start, a good way to get things going,” Holland said. “I did everything I could. The guys were out there battling and making plays. Next time we just have to finish. That’s what we will do."

Why Bet On Cleveland?

Big-ticket free-agent slugger Edwin Encarnacion is off to a bit of an inconsistent start. Encarnacion went 2-for- 3 with a pair of singles in Sunday’s loss to the Diamondbacks as the Tribe were swept. Encarnacion started off the season with a bang when he homered against the Rangers in a season-opening win last Monday. He quieted after that blast, though, entering Sunday’s game with just two hits in his last 20 at- bats.

Indians manager Terry Francona said Lonnie Chisenhall (shoulder) could return as soon as Tuesday. That’s the day of Cleveland’s home opener against the White Sox. Chisenhall just began a rehab assignment with Triple-A Columbus last week. The veteran outfielder is coming back from a mild case of shoulder inflammation.

It’s Danny Salazar for Cleveland. Salazar struck out nine in 5 2/3 innings on April 5, allowing five runs (four earned), partly due to poor defense against Texas. Young lefty slugger Nomar Mazara hit a two-run homer off him in the first, but Salazar settled down after that, delivering three scoreless frames before the wheels came off in the fifth inning — including Mazara burning him again with an RBI single. Salazar has an arsenal of swing-and- miss stuff, but his control can be erratic, to say the least. It’s a credit to his raw ability that he was able to post a sub-4.00 ERA last year despite an atrocious 4.1 BB/9.

Salazar has a 3.74 ERA with 64 strikeouts in 43 1/3 innings in his career vs. the White Sox. Cleveland went 49-26 (.653) against AL Central opponents in 2016, the Tribe’s most wins ever within the division since ‘98 realignment. Cleveland recorded 14 different series sweeps in 2016, including two (2) two- gamers, 10n (10) three-gamers and two (2) fourgamers. The Indians were only swept 4 times.