The Chicago White Sox somewhat overachieved in the early going, but they are trending downward heading into Game 2 of their series on Tuesday night at AL Central rival the Cleveland Guardians. The Tribe are favored on the latest MLB odds.
How to Bet White Sox vs Indians MLB Odds & Game Info
- When: Tuesday, 6:10 PM ET
- Where: Progressive Field
- Probable pitchers (away/home): Lucas Giolito/Jefry Rodriguez
- TV: MLB Extra Innings
- MLB Odds: Cleveland Indians -145 (Total 9)
Why Bet on Chicago?
The White Sox remain without AL Rookie of the Year candidate Eloy Jimenez. He’s on the injured list with an ankle injury but could start a rehab assignment this week. The team wants Jimenez to get in some at-bats in the minors before letting him return to the team. He’s been out since April 26. Jimenez’s numbers through the first 21 games of his major league career don’t leap off the page: a .241/.294/.380 slash line with three homers and eight RBIs, but he’s a mega-talent. It’s most likely he’s activated this weekend.
Fellow outfielder Jon Jay is also out. Jay, who is working back from a groin/hip injury that popped up during spring training and has proven significant enough to keep him sidelined for at least the first two months of the 2019 season, is in Arizona on Monday rehabbing. Jay is expected to increase his workload of baseball activities over the next couple of weeks and will go on a rehab assignment sometime after that.
Meanwhile, Tommy John surgery might be needed for ace lefty Carlos Rodon. He was placed on the injured list last week with elbow inflammation. Rodon, 26, viewed as a big piece in the rotation for years to come, will be out much longer than 10 days, perhaps for the season.
The White Sox have recorded eight comeback wins this season, tied for the sixth-most in baseball. The Los Angeles Dodgers lead MLB with 11 comeback victories in 2019. Chicago is 9-1 when leading after six innings, 11-0 when leading after seven and 10-0 after eight.
It’s Lucas Giolito (2-1, 5.32) on the mound. Giolito returned from a two-start absence due to a left hamstring strain on Thursday and allowed three runs in five innings against the Red Sox, striking out seven. The right-hander made it through five frames and threw 98 pitches before exiting the contest and settling for a no-decision.
Giolito is 0-2 lifetime against the Indians and 0-1 in Cleveland.
Team Stats
Offense- Runs: 4.91
- Hits: 8.88
- Walks: 3.09
- Strike Outs: 9.88
Defense
- Runs: 5.76
- Hits: 9.30
- Walks: 4.24
- Strike Outs: 8.79
Why Bet on Cleveland?
Chicago and Cleveland split two games at Progressive Field from 4/1-3. The White Sox are 12-28 since 2017, including a 6-14 mark at Progressive Field. They have not won consecutive games since 6/12-13/18 at Guaranteed Rate Field.
The Tribe’s rotation is a mess right now with Corey Kluber, a two-time Cy Young winner, Mike Clevinger, and Danny Salazar all on the injured list. Indians’ manager Terry Francona said over the weekend that Salazar has suffered another setback in his recovery from shoulder surgery. He had been throwing bullpen sessions at the team’s spring training facility in Goodyear, Arizona.
Salazar was shut down for a couple of days after visiting Dr. Keith Meister after he came away from a recent bullpen session not feeling so good. There remains no clear timetable for a potential return. Kluber just broke his forearm and is out indefinitely. Clevinger (back) has been playing catch out to 90 feet. He’s at least six weeks away.
It’s young Jefry Rodriguez (0-1, 2.13) for the Tribe. Rodriguez will be called up from Triple-A Columbus. Rodriguez has already filled in as spot starter twice for the Indians this season and pitched well with a 2.13 ERA, 0.79 WHIP and 6:2 K: BB over 12.2 innings. He has impressed the Indians’ coaching staff and with Kluber now on the injured list, Rodriguez will look to earn a more permanent role in the rotation.
On the bright side, Cleveland relievers own a 3.21 ERA, the 3rd-best mark in the AL behind Houston (2.91) and Toronto (3.16) and 4th-best in the Majors (San Francisco, 3.14). Tribe relievers rank 2nd in the Majors in fewest runs allowed, fewest earned runs allowed and fewest walks issued, T2nd in fewest home runs allowed and are 3rd in fewest hits allowed.
The Indians have been the best hitting team in the majors with two outs and runners in scoring position this season, batting .306 in the situation.
Team Stats
Offense- Runs: 3.61
- Hits: 6.85
- Walks: 3.58
- Strike Outs: 9.45
Defense
- Runs: 4.03
- Hits: 7.64
- Walks: 3.15
- Strike Outs: 9.79
White Sox vs Indians MLB Betting Trends
- White Sox are 3-8 in Giolito’s last 11 starts
- Indians are 9-2 in their last 11 Tuesday games
- Over is 3-0-1 in the last 4 meetings
- White Sox are 5-11 SU in their last 16 games against Cleveland
- The total has gone OVER in 10 of White Sox’s last 14 games on the road
- Indians are 2-4 SU in their last 6 games against an opponent in the American League
- The total has gone OVER in 6 of Cleveland’s last 9 games at home
Expert Final Score Prediction for White Sox vs Indians
Chicago White Sox 4 – Cleveland Indians 6
