Wednesday, June 17, 2015

U.S. Cellular Field

For Updated Odds on This Game Click Here

Probable Pitchers: Jeff Locke (3-3) vs. John Danks (3-6)

The Chicago White Sox host the Pittsburgh Pirates at U.S. Cellular Field on Wednesday. The Pirates send Jeff Locke to the mound to face John Danks of the White Sox. The opening line for this matchup has Pittsburgh at -122 and Chicago at +112. The over/under was set at 8.5. The Pirates, with a 31-32 run line record, cover the spread 49% of the time. They also have a 25-30 over/under record. The White Sox are 24-38 against the run line and have a 26-35 over/under record. They cover the spread 39% of the time.

The Pirates head into this matchup with a 36-27 record, including 16-16 on the road. Starting pitcher Jeff Locke holds a 3-3 record with an earned run average of 4.90 and a WHIP of 1.50. He's pitched 68 innings thus far while surrendering 76 hits over that time and when he starts, the Pirates are 6-6. Their record against the over/under when he starts is 7-4. The team is averaging 4 runs when he starts. The bullpen has given up 171 hits on the season and have a earned run average of 2.60. Teams are hitting .241 against the bullpen while being struck out 162 times and walking 56 times this season. As a team, Pittsburgh has allowed 8.07 hits per nine innings while striking out 8.09 batters per nine. They are 2nd in the league in team earned run average at 2.79.

Pittsburgh is batting .257 as a team, which is good for 11th in the league and hitting .252 away from home. The Pirates on-base percentage sits at .314, which puts them at 17th in the league and they have a team slugging percentage of .383. They rank 8th in baseball with 8.89 hits per game and Starling Marte leads the team with 67.

With a 16-12 home record, Chicago will hope to improve on their 28-34 overall mark. With an earned run average of 5.16, John Danks will come into this game holding a 3-6 record and a 1.53 WHIP. He's pitched 68 innings thus far while surrendering 83 hits over that time in which the White Sox are 5-7. Their record against the over/under when he starts is 4-7. The team is averaging 3.8 runs when he takes the field. The bullpen has given up 187 hits on the season and have a team earned run average of 4.00. Teams are hitting .276 against the White Sox bullpen while being struck out 160 times and walking 64 times this season. As a team, Chicago has allowed 9.5 hits per nine innings while striking out 8.33 batters per nine. They are 26th in the league in team earned run average at 4.25.

They are batting .241 as a team, which is good for 25th in the league and hitting .235 at home. The White Sox on-base percentage sits at .295, which puts them at 28th in the league and they have a team slugging percentage of .352. They rank 23rd in baseball with 8.11 hits per game and Jose Abreu leads the team with 64.

In terms of team defense, the Pirates have a fielding percentage of .982 with 45 total errors, 746 assists and 1,733 put outs. For the home team, they hold a .980 team fielding percentage while committing 45 errors, accumulating 608 assists and compiling 1,646 put outs.

Pittsburgh Pirates Betting Trends

The Pittsburgh Pirates are 25-30 against the over/under so far this season

The Pittsburgh Pirates are 31-32 against the run line so far this season

Chicago White Sox Betting Trends

The Chicago White Sox are 26-35 against the over/under so far this season

The Chicago White Sox are 24-38 against the run line so far this season

Injuries to Watch

Pittsburgh Pirates

06/04/15 LF Jaff Decker Calf Injury is on the 15 day disabled list (3/30)
05/07/15 LF Andrew Lambo Plantar Fasciitis Injury is on the 15 day disabled list (5/4)
04/06/15 P Brandon Cumpton Elbow Injury is on the 60 day disabled list (3/27)
04/06/15 SS Justin Sellers Heel Injury is on the 60 day disabled list (3/27)

Chicago White Sox

06/09/15 P Dan Jennings Neck Injury is on the 15 day disabled list (6/5)
04/25/15 P Matt Albers Finger Injury is on the 15 day disabled list (4/20)
04/04/15 P Nate Jones Elbow Injury is on the 60 day disabled list (3/27)

Josh's Pick: Take the White Sox

Get $60 worth of FREE premium member picks. No Obligation. No Salesman. No Credit Card. Fast Sign up with Instant Access Click Here

Read more articles by Josh Schonwald