There’s a lot of public action on Chicago in the May 18th AL free pick despite the fact that the White Sox dropped game two of the series vs. Toronto by a tally of 10-2 on Friday. The victory was just the Blue Jays’ second in the past 6 games, and followed a 4-2 Chicago win on Thursday. Toronto has some pitching questions Saturday, does that make the Sox the pick?
Toronto Starting a Call-Up Saturday Afternoon
The Blue Jays scored an easy win on Friday night, but they still had to go to the bullpen in the 4th inning as starter Aaron Sanchez experienced a blister flareup. That means the Toronto starter in the May 18th AL free pick is Ryan Feierabend. The lefty knuckleballer is an interesting story as he hasn’t appeared in the majors since 2014. The 33-year-old has sported just a 2.70 ERA in 16.2 innings at Triple-A. No Chicago batters have faced Feierabend, which gives the pitcher a huge advantage with the knuckleball.
Can the Toronto bats come alive again as they did in Friday’s 10 run, 15 hit affair? The Blue Jays managed just 4 hits last week against Chicago starter Lucas Giolito and are 6-30 (.200) as a team vs. the right-hander. The Blue Jays have also been held to 2 runs or less in 6 of the last 10. Vladimir Guerrero, Jr. does have 3HR over his past 6 games however, including a shot to straightaway center on Friday night. Guerrero has 7 hits in his past 6 games, four for extra bases.
Chicago Looking to Get Back on Track With Giolito
The White Sox turn to Lucas Giolito on Saturday. He’s pitching at Guaranteed Rate Field in the May 18th AL free pick, but has gone 4-0 with a 2.42 ERA on the road this season. Chicago is just 1-6 in Giolito’s last 7 starts at home. That being said, the right-hander pitched well vs. Toronto last time out, allowing just 1ER while striking out 8 Blue Jays batters in 7IP at the Rogers Centre. Giolito has allowed just 4ER in three starts (19.1 IP) in three starts since returning from the injured list with a strained hamstring.
Chicago scraped together just 6 hits on Friday, 2 each from Yoan Moncada and Tim Anderson. The White Sox did take 2 of 3 from Toronto last week, but have been held to 2 runs or less in 2 of the last 3 games. The White Sox bats could struggle today vs. the knuckleball hurler Feieraband. How long can the Blue Jays starter go though? Toronto had 6 bullpen innings yesterday – although they did come from just two pitchers.
May 18th AL Free Pick Betting
Toronto turns to a starter that hasn’t thrown in the big leagues since 2014. That has to favor Chicago in this one, especially at home. Fiereband is pitching for his big league life on Saturday, but with a predominantly knuckleball arsenal his performance is extremely hit or miss in this one.
AL Free Pick: Chicago White Sox -140
