AL Central rivals will continue a crucial three-game series on Saturday evening when the Chicago White Sox take on the Cleveland Guardians at Progressive Field. Friday's series finale ended with a 5-2 score in favor of the Guardians, who cashed in as a -135 favorite. Chicago is 3.5 games back in the division race at 61-59, while Cleveland holds down first place with a record of 64-55.
The Guardians have found success in the season series thus far with a 9-5 head-to-head advantage.
All the momentum Chicago had earlier this week has been undone by a three-game losing streak, and Friday's opener in Cleveland was only made worse by Eloy Jimenez and Andrew Vaughn leaving with injuries. Jose Abreu and Yoan Moncada both had RBI singles in the first inning, but that was it for an offense that went 2-6 with runners in scoring position.
Lance Lynn tossed 5.2 innings of one-run ball, allowing five hits and one walks while striking out six. Reynaldo Lopez was charged with the loss, allowing three runs in one inning of work. Abreu had the only multi hit game for the White Sox.
The White Sox are down a fair amount on the money line this season while going 54-66 on the run line. Overs are 53-60-7 for the White Sox, with two of their last three games going under the betting total.
Chicago's offense is having a disappointing campaign, aver aging 4.24 runs per game on a .701 combined OPS. The White Sox are also below average on the mound with a 4.01 collective ERA including a mark of 4.13 out of a shaky bullpen.
Abreu has been Chicago's most steady hitter, batting .306/.381/.463 with 14 homers and 56 RBI. Luis Robert is also having a strong campaign, batting .301/.336/.454 with 12 homers, 11 stolen bases and 56 driven in.
Veteran Johnny Cueto will make his 18th appearance and 17th start of the year, hoping to continue a resurgerent campaign as he's 5-5 with a 2.78 ERA over 110 innings, The 36-year-old is coming off an impressive win over the Houston Astros on Monday, when he allowed two runs on six hits and one walk across eighth innings, striking out three.
Chicago is without one of its best players in shortstop Tim Anderson (hand surgery) with utilitymen Danny Mendick (torn knee ligament) and Leury Garcia (strained back). Starting pitcher Jo nathan Stiever is recovering from a strained lat. Relievers Aaron Bummer (strained lat), Kyle Crick (elbow inflammation) and Garrett Crochet (Tommy John surgery) are sidelined.