Chicago White Sox (14-22) AT L.A. Angels (20-16)
May 10, 2011 at 10:05 PM EST
Opening Moneyline: LAA -145, CWS +125
Current Moneyline: LAA -120, CWS +110
Opening Total: 8
Current Total: 7.5
SP: CWS- J. Danks, LAA- J. Pineiro
Things haven’t been easy for the White Sox this season. They fell 11 games below .500 for the first time since 2007 after Friday’s defeat to the Mariners, but since then the club has managed to win three straight, mainly due to some very strong pitching.
The White Sox’s starting pitchers have accrued a 1.37 ERA in the last 7 games and the offense has provided some help, providing 6.33 runs per game and 13.33 hits per game over the last three contests. “The last couple of days we started to swing the bat better, and we carried it into today’s game,” White Sox manager Ozzie Guillen beamed.
White Sox starter John Danks has been good this year, giving up only 20 runs in 47 innings pitched, but due to lack of run support he has managed to lose all five of his decisions. His 3.83 ERA would ordinarily dictate 2 or 3 wins out of 5, but the Sox’s hitting had been abysmal. Danks has also only allowed 5 home runs in 47 innings pitched. Danks’ PECOTA projection for the year predicted an 11-9 record with a 4.35 ERA. While his ERA has been better than expected, slightly, it is doubtful he can put up a record over .500 give the lack of run support.
“It’s getting a little old,” Danks, as he’s only getting 3.26 runs in support over his 7 outings. Against the Angels, Danks is 2-0 with a 1.71 ERA. He last pitched to them September 25th last season and the Sox won the game 6-2. Danks pitched 8 innings that game and gave up only 2 runs.
The Angels will send Joel Pineiro to the mound. He has been very successful at home. Last season he went 7-2 at Anaheim with a 2.18 ERA in 13 starts. He has also won his last 6 decisions at home. In the 11-0 shutout of Boston on Thursday, Pineiro gave up only 3 hits in 5 2/3rds innings pitched. “My sinker was running all over the place,” he commented. He will have to contend with Paul Konerko and Adam Dunn who have each nailed 3 homers against Pineiro. Carlos Quentin has also been red hot for the Sox and leads the majors with 23 extra base hits.
Some betting trends:
The total has gone UNDER In 5 of the White Sox’s last 7 games and the White Sox are 7-18 SU in their last 25 games. The total has gone UNDER in 6 of the White Sox’s last 9 games on the road and the White Sox are 8-3 SU in their last 11 against the Angels. The total has gone UNDER in 7 of the White Sox’ last 10 games against the LA Angels. The Chicago White Sox are 5-1 SU in their last 6 on the road against the Angels.
The total has gone OVER in 6 of the Angels’ last 9 games and the Angels are 4-2 SU in their last 6 games. The total has gone UNDER in 13 of the Angels’ last 19 games at home while they are 3-8 SU in their last 11 against the Chicago White Sox. The total has gone UNDER in 7 of the Angels’ last 10 games against the White Sox and the total has also gone UNDER in 7 of their last 9 games at home against the Whilte Sox. The Angels are 1-5 SU in their last 6 games at home against the White Sox.
Danks may be up for his first victory of the season with the much improved White Sox offense. The Angels are favored and Pineiro is a very effective pitcher. Given the strength of the pitching, the total is set pretty low already, but there is a good chance that it goes under, in fact.
