The New York Yankees and Chicago White Sox begin a four-game American League series Monday night at U.S. Cellular Field

New York Yankees at Chicago White Sox

New York opens up a crucial seven-game road trip that begins in the Windy City and ends in Beantown.  The Yankees won the final three games of their four-game series against the Orioles, outscoring them by a 29-8 margin in those contests.  Heading into a new week and coming off a 7-3 homestand, the club is still two games back in the standings.  New York will be making its lone trip to U.S. Cellular Field this season and have lost five of the last eight meetings at the venue.  Despite those woes, the Bronx Bombers have won 20 of the last 30 games between the teams.  New York is 27-20 on the road this season and 40-33 versus right-handed starters.

Yankees starting pitcher C.C. Sabathia is 15-5 with a 2.56 ERA in 23 starts this season and is coming off a brilliant month.  The left-hander posted a 4-1 record and 0.92 ERA in five July starts, as opponents managed to hit just .140 against him.  He will be toeing the rubber on the road for the 12th time tonight, coming in with an 8-3 mark and 2.21 ERA.  In 30 career starts versus the White Sox, Sabathia is 17-4 with a 3.68 ERA, including a 9-1 mark and 3.33 ERA in 15 outings at U.S. Cellular Field.  His owns the highest winning percentage (.810) of any pitcher with at least 10 wins against them.

Chicago has won five of its last eight games, but dropped a 5-3 home contest to the Red Sox Sunday afternoon.  The White Sox also got a major scare when first baseman Paul Konerko left the game with a bruised left calf and is likely to be out for the series opener.  He will be sorely missed due to his career .315 average and 20 home runs against the Yankees.  A major bright spot for the club during the month of July was the pitching staff, as it has compiled a 2.55 ERA since the All-Star break.  Chicago is 24-29 at home this season and 14-14 when facing left-handed starters.

White Sox starting pitcher Jake Peavy is an even 4-4 with a 5.26 ERA in 12 games (11 starts) this season.  The right-hander is looking for his first win since June 25, suffering from an 0-3 record and 6.85 ERA in four July starts.  He has tallied an even 3-3 mark and 5.35 ERA in six home starts, issuing 11 walks and registering 36 strikeouts.  Ih two career starts versus the Yankees, Peavy is 0-2 with a 3.60 ERA.  He has limited New York catcher Russell Martin to just four hits in 32 career at-bats against him (.125).

Bettors will be interested in backing the Yankees due to their 57-17 record in Sabathia’s starts as a favorite, while the White Sox are 1-6 as a home underdog