The Chicago White Sox (73-69, 35-36 home) wrap up a two-game set with the Colorado Rockies (61-81, 21-47 away) in the Windy City on Wednesday. The contest will be the final time these two teams face each other this season, with the White Sox holding a 2-1 advantage.
The first pitch of Wednesday’s contest is at 2:10 p.m. EST at Guaranteed Rate Field in Chicago, Illinois. Chicago is the betting favorite at -250, and the over/under total is 7.5 runs.
What to Know – Colorado Rockies
Colorado tries to snap a two-game losing skid and get back into the win column on Wednesday. The Rockies are in the cellar of the National League West and 20-games under .500. Colorado will miss the playoffs for the fourth season in a row.
Left-hander Kyle Freeland (8-9, 4.63 ERA, 1.37 WHIP) is the expected starter for the visitors. Freeland has been brilliant in his two starts in September, surrendering just two earned runs over 11.2 innings of action.
On the year, the southpaw has tossed 153.2 innings, allowing 79 earned runs on 165 hits and 46 walks while striking out 112 batters.
C.J. Cron has been the driver of the Rockies’ offense, leading the team in home runs (28) and runs batted in (96). Veteran Charlie Blackmon has chipped in 74 RBIs and Randal Grichuk 64 runs, while star Kris Bryant has battled injuries all season, appearing in only 45 games.
The Rockies have the fifth-best team batting in the league hitting .258 and averaging 4.5 runs per game. Colorado’s pitching staff is the worst in the majors, with a 5.10 team earned run average.
What to Know – Chicago White Sox
The White Sox have won five of its last six contests and are closing in on the division leader. Chicago is just three games back of the Minnesota Twins with under a month to go in the regular season.
The probable starter for the White Sox is right-hander Dylan Cease (14-6, 2.06 ERA, 1.07 WHIP). The 26-year-old hasn’t allowed a run in over the last 15 innings on the hill. Cease has logged 162.0 innings, giving up 37 earned runs, 107 hits, walking 66, and striking out 206 batters.
The White Sox offense has been decimated by injuries all season, with Eloy Jimenez, Tim Anderson, and Yoan Moncada all missing nearly half the season. Andrew Vaughn has stayed healthy, leading the team with 15 home runs and 68 RBIs. Veteran Jose Abreu has played in 140 contests, adding 15 home runs and 67 RBIs.
Chicago scores 4.3 runs per game and bats .262 as a team, the highest average in the MLB. The pitching staff for the White Sox sits 17th amongst teams sporting a 3.94 team ERA.
The Pick is In
The White Sox need to continue to rack up the victories to chase down the Minnesota Twins, and they have a great chance over the next week with tonight’s contest and a series against the Chicago Cubs. Cease stays sharp on the mound, and the offense continues to add the run supports.
The Pick: Chicago White Sox ML
