Chicago White Sox at Texas Rangers Free MLB Picks & Odds
by Tony Sink - 4/19/2014
Sunday, April 20, 3:05 PM on CSCh, FSSW
Globe Life Park in Arlington, Arlington, Texas
Chicago - Johnson, E (0-1) vs. Texas - Ross, R (1-0)
For Updated Odds on This Game Click Here
The White Sox expect big things from their youngster Erik Johnson (0-1) and he's been progressively working towards reaching that potential. He'll get another crack to put it all in together as Chicago finishes out their weekend series on Easter Sunday in Arlington against Robbie Ross (1-0). Johnson started off his first full season as a starter rough, giving up 7 ER in 4 2/3 against Kansas City. He followed that with a 5 2/3, 4 runs allowed start against Colorado and most recently an impressive 3 hit, 1 ER, 9 SO, game against Boston that was still a no-decision.
Johnson has never made an appearance against Texas but has faced one of their players but it hasn't been pretty for Chicago. Texas' Prince Fielder is 4 for 6 with 2 HR so White Sox manager Robin Ventura better have the intentional walk signal fresh on his mind.
24-year-old lefty Robbie Ross is off to a hot start in his first season in the rotation after a dominant 2 years in the bullpen. Ross was 10-2 out of the pen in his first two seasons appearing in a whopping 123 games. Ross learned that ball control is the key to winning as a starter his last time out. The previous game against Boston Ross walked 6 Red Sox batters and couldn't get out of the 6th despite allowing 0 ER. On April 15th against Seattle Ross didn't walk a single Mariner and pitched into the 8th for his 1st career win as a starter. Ross got 16 ground ball outs which was the most of any pitcher in the AL this year and dropped the young star's ERA to 1.00 on the year.
Ross has 6 scoreless relief appearances against the White Sox in his career and the current roster is only 3 for 16 against him.
Chicago Betting Trends
Chicago is 11-6-0 against the Over/Under
Run differential for Chicago is -0.6
Texas Betting Trends
Texas is 7-10-0 against the Over/Under
Run differential for Texas is +0.3
Injuries to Watch
Chicago
04/10/14 RF Avisail Garcia Shoulder 15-day DL (4/9); out for season
04/04/14 P Nate Jones Hip 15-day DL (4/4)
03/30/14 2B Gordon Beckham Oblique 15-day DL (3/21)
03/30/14 2B Jeff Keppinger Shoulder 15-day DL (3/21)
Texas
04/18/14 P Tanner Scheppers Elbow 15-day DL (4/18)
04/13/14 3B Adrian Beltre Quad 15-day DL (4/9)
04/08/14 P Joe Saunders Ankle 15-day DL (4/5)
03/31/14 C Geovany Soto Knee 60-day DL (3/30)
03/31/14 2B Jurickson Profar Shoulder 60-day DL (3/23)
03/31/14 P Matt Harrison Back 15-day DL (3/29)
03/28/14 P Derek Holland Knee 60-day DL (3/3)
03/28/14 RF Engel Beltre Leg 60-day DL (3/26)
03/28/14 P Joe Ortiz Foot 60-day DL (2/14)
Tony's Pick: Take Texas
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