The South Siders look for two in a row in the 9/3 Twins at White Sox preview after scoring two runs late on Friday night to take the series opener 4-3. Chicago has now won three in a row, pulling to within a game of Minnesota for 2nd place in the AL Central and three games back from Cleveland for the division lead.
Chicago has a great opportunity to make it four wins in a row as -136 favorites behind their ace Dylan Cease. Tyler Mahle has been sharp for the Twins but he’s also making his first start back from a shoulder issue that caused him to miss a couple outings (MIN +116). The O/U is just 7.5 in what has the potential to be a pitcher’s duel.
Twins Inconsistency Is Evident
Minnesota has lived by the streak and died by the streak the past month. In August they had a six game losing streak sandwiched in between a four and a five game win streak. The Twins closed out last month with a 6-5 loss to the Red Sox as a -122 favorite and then lost Friday’s series opener in Chicago 4-3 at -134.
The good news for the Twins and Sox is that Cleveland is on a three game losing skid, so Minnesota is still just a game back from the Guardians in the AL Central. Minnesota did enough to win on Friday night, taking a 3-2 lead into the bottom of the 8th but Chicago tallied a run in the 8th and 9th to get their fifth head to head win in the last six in the series. The Twins dropped to 4-11 in their last 15 in the Windy City.
Sonny Gray lasted just 4.0 IP for the Twins on Friday night, leaving with hamstring soreness which caused Rocco Baldelli to go deep into his bullpen. That puts Tyler Mahle (6-7, 4.17 ERA) in a tough spot in the 9/3 Twins at White Sox matchup because he’s expected to go deep, but also in his first start since August 17th. Mahle is 1-0 with a 2.51 ERA in three starts since joining Minnesota at the trade deadline.
White Sox Frustrating Their Fans
Chicago fans have sworn off their team multiple times this season. Most recently the Sox were swept at home by the Diamondbacks as part of six losses in seven games which made fans say, “I’m done, it’s Bears season” but when you play in the AL Central things are never over. Since that losing stretch Chicago has rattled off three in a row and the enthusiasm is returning as they are still right in the divisional hunt just 3GB back.
Chicago has a great chance to pull into a tie with Minnesota in the division with Cease (12-6, 2.27 ERA) coming off an 8.0 IP performance against Arizona although in a losing effort. Cease allowed just 1 hit over 7.0 IP in his only outing against the Twins this season.
Free 9/3 Twins at White Sox Betting Pick
Minnesota has had their struggles in Chicago recently and aren’t sure what to expect from Mahle in his return to the rotation after a two week absence. Cease had his worst ERA in the last three months (3.26) however and this feels just like the right time where you start to believe in the Sox and they break their fans hearts. Only 36% of bettors are on Minnesota but we are joining them.
Free Pick: Twins +116
