The Chicago White Sox are trying to hold onto their slim lead atop the AL Central as face the Cleveland Indians on Wednesday night. They lead the division by one half-game over the Minnesota Twins, but they do have a game in hand.
The Indians are home favorites by a -150 moneyline, compared to Chicago’s moneyline of +135.
Cleveland has taken the first two games of the four-game series, giving the Tribe three straight wins and five victories in their last six games. That stretch has been enough to secure a playoff spot for the Indians, and they haven’t yet given up hope of catching the White Sox at the top of the AL Central. The deficit is still three games, but that lead could be down to one if the Indians can sweep the series.
Meanwhile, the White Sox have lost three in a row and five of their last seven games. While the White Sox already know they’ll be in the postseason, holding off the Twins to win the division will secure a home series in the first round.
Mr. No-Hitter
Lucas Giolito, who pitched a no-hitter for the White Sox earlier this season, will get the start on Wednesday. Heading into what figures to be his final start of the regular season, Giolito is 4-3 with a 3.53 ERA.
Unfortunately, his ERA has risen from 3.09 after that no-hitter. In his last four starts, he’s allowed at least three runs in every outing, although the White Sox have managed to win three of those four games. Nevertheless, the White Sox need him to be better, especially after issuing seven walks over his last two starts.
Giolito is poised for a quality start against Cleveland’s lineup. Even with a recent hot streak, Jose Ramirez and Cesar Hernandez are the only players producing with any consistency. Ramirez is hitting .500 with six home runs and 16 RBIs over the past week, almost singlehandedly carrying the Indians to a playoff berth. He’s also 5 for 17 with two extra-base hits in his career against Giolito, although the Indians will need more than Ramirez to do damage against the White Sox ace.
The Future Cy Young
Cleveland will have Cy Young frontrunner Shane Bieber starting against Chicago on Wednesday. In his 11 starts this season, Bieber is 8-1 with a 1.74 ERA while striking out 112 batters in 72.1 innings. However, much like Giolito, he has slowed down a little in September. Bieber has given up three runs in each of his last two starts. However, he also pitched at least seven innings in both starts and continues to strike out batters at a high rate.
Bieber might be catching the White Sox at a good time. With their recent struggles, everyone not named Jose Abreu or Nick Madrigal is slumping right now. On the other hand, Abreu, Tim Anderson, and Yoan Moncada all have strong career numbers against Bieber.
Against the Grain
It’s usually not a good idea to go against Bieber. However, the White Sox got to him a little bit earlier this season. On August 9, Bieber gave up three runs on four hits and two walks in six innings against Chicago, but he did strike out eight batters in the no-decision.
Bieber has also been far from invincible lately. Considering Cleveland’s struggles scoring runs this year, and Chicago’s status as a considerable underdog with a decent payout, take a chance and bet on the White Sox on Wednesday.
