It doesn’t seem like anybody wants to step up and take the AL Central. The Twins have lost four in a row while the White Sox have dropped five of six allowing Cleveland to take a three game lead in the division. Baltimore is in a much different situation in the AL East, with four of the five teams within striking distance of a playoff berth.
Chicago is contending for the wild card, and this week’s series is important as they are 2.5 games back from Baltimore in that race. The South Siders lost the opener 5-3 on Tuesday as -133 favorites, and are -120 in the August 24th White Sox at Orioles betting matchup.
Chicago Very Inconsistent
The White Sox are a frustrating team to watch this season for fans in the Windy City. Chicago can go from rattling off five straight wins like they did from August 12th-16th and then go on a skid like the five losses in six games as they are currently doing.
Chicago got off to an early lead on Tuesday with Eloy Jimenez blasting a 2-run HR, but that edge didn’t last long as Baltimore’s Ryan Mountcastle hit a three-run shot in the bottom of the inning. The Sox outhit the Orioles 11-5 and still couldn’t get the win – three of those hits coming from Luis Robert.
Chicago ace Dylan Cease took the loss on Tuesday after allowing 4ER over 5.1 IP, so Lucas Giolito will hope for a little better results in the April 24th White Sox at Orioles matchup. Giolito’s last start ended up being a 21-5 Chicago loss after he allowed 7 ER over 3.0 IP so at the very least he’ll be fresh.
Orioles on a Solid Stretch
Baltimore’s victory on Tuesday night was their third in the last four games. They took two out of three against Boston to push the Red Sox to seven games back in the wild card and now hope to do the same to Chicago who is currently five games back in the hunt for the third spot.
It will be a tough challenge for the Orioles offense if Giolito can bounce back to form as Cease really made just one mistake with the pitch to Mountcastle in the opener, allowing Baltimore only 3 hits during his outing. Cedric Mullins has gone 6 for 10 in his career vs. Giolito though.
Spenser Watkins (4-3, 4.04 ERA) goes for Baltimore on Wednesday coming off a solid outing of 1ER allowed over 5.2 IP. The Orioles have lost three straight Watkins starts – all at home. Garza didn’t allow a run over 5.0 IP in his only time facing the White Sox this season back at the end of June.
Free August 24th White Sox at Orioles Betting Pick
67% of the betting public like Baltimore in this matchup even with Chicago the slight -120 favorite. Chicago is in a bit of a poor slump right now, but they are also a dangerous squad that was basically one mistake pitch away from picking up a win in the opener. Giolito should have a bounce back and the Orioles have lost three straight with Watkins on the hill.
Free Pick: White Sox -120
