Thursday, June 18, 2015

U.S. Cellular Field

For Updated Odds on This Game Click Here

Probable Pitchers: Gerrit Cole (10-2) vs. Jeff Samardzija (4-4)

The Chicago White Sox host the Pittsburgh Pirates at U.S. Cellular Field on Thursday. The Pirates send Gerrit Cole to the mound to face Jeff Samardzija of the White Sox. The opening line for this matchup has Pittsburgh at -135 and Chicago at +125. The over/under was set at 7.5. The Pirates have a 25-31 over/under record and a 32-32 run line mark, meaning they cover 50% of the time. The White Sox are 24-39 against the run line and have a 26-36 over/under record. They cover the spread 38% of the time.

The Pirates come into this game with a 37-27 record, and they are 16-16 away from home. Gerrit Cole has a 10-2 record on the season, an earned run average of 1.71 and a 1.08 WHIP. In his starts, the Pirates are 10-3 over his 84 innings pitched this season while giving up 72 hits during those innings. The Pirates are also 3-8 against the over/under in his starts. His teammates are averaging 3.9 runs a game when he pitches. The bullpen's earned run average is currently 2.57 and they've given up 171 hits on the season. Opposing teams are hitting .238 against the Pirates bullpen while walking 57 times and striking out 162 times. Pittsburgh is averaging 8.01 strikeouts per game while getting 8.01 hits per nine innings as a team. They rank 2nd in baseball in team earned run average at 2.75.

Pittsburgh ranks 11th in the league in team batting average at .257 while hitting .252 on the road. Ranked at 15th in the league in on-base percentage, the Pirates sit at .316 and they hold a .385 team slugging percentage. Starling Marte leads the team in hits with 69 while the team ranks 8th in baseball with 8.91 hits per game.

With a 28-35 overall record, Chicago will come into this game 16-12 at home. Jeff Samardzija has a record of 4-4 while sporting an earned run average of 4.84 on the year with a 1.33 WHIP. In his starts, the White Sox are 6-7 and he has allowed 100 hits over 87.1 innings pitched this season. The White Sox are also 8-5 against the over/under in his starts. His teammates score an average of 4 runs a game when he pitches. The bullpen's earned run average is currently at 3.95 and they have given up 188 hits on the season. Opposing teams are hitting .274 against the White Sox bullpen while walking 66 times and striking out 162 times. Chicago is averaging 8.34 strikeouts per game while getting 9.52 hits per nine innings as a team. They rank 24th in the league in team earned run average at 4.24.

They rank 26th in the league in team batting average with a .239 average while hitting .235 at home. Ranked at 28th in the league in on-base percentage, the White Sox sit at .293 and they hold a .348 team slugging percentage. Jose Abreu leads the team in hits with 65 while the team ranks 24th in baseball with 8.05 hits a game.

The Pirates have committed 45 errors and have combined for 762 assists and 1,760 put outs leading to a .982 team fielding percentage. The White Sox have committed 45 errors on the season with 618 assists and 1,670 put outs leading to a team fielding percentage of .981 on the year.

Pittsburgh Pirates Betting Trends

The Pittsburgh Pirates are 25-31 against the over/under so far this season

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

Chicago White Sox Betting Trends

The Chicago White Sox are 26-36 against the over/under so far this season

The Chicago White Sox are 24-39 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

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