The Chicago White Sox and Cleveland Indians begin a four-game series on Monday night. The Indians are in the mix for a potential playoff spot, while the White Sox are just playing out the season.
Playing It Out
The White Sox are now 60-76 after taking a loss in their last game against the Braves, bringing their losing streak to six. They are sitting in third place in the AL Central, 24 games behind the Minnesota Twins.
While the White Sox no longer have a real shot at the playoffs this season, they have some good young pieces to build around. They are one of the best-looking teams for the next five seasons, as long as players like Anderson, Jimenez, and Yoan Moncada keep progressing, and the Sox can get pieces around them.
As a team, the White Sox are hitting .254 with 142 home runs this season. Their team ERA is 4.91, and they have allowed at least eight runs in four of their last five games.
Getting the start for the White Sox in this game will be Ross Detwiler. The 33-year-old had three losses and one win in August, bringing his record this season to 2-4 with a 6.45 ERA and 40 strikeouts. Detwiler allowed five runs over four innings in his last outing.
First baseman Jose Abreu and young third baseman Moncada are leading the Sox from the plate. Abreu leads the team with 28 home runs and 103 runs batted in. Moncada carries a .288 batting average, while he also has 22 home runs this season and 64 RBI.
Chicago has Jake Burger listed as day-to-day, while Jon Jay is on the 10-day IL.
Needing Some Wins
After dropping their last three games, the Indians are now 79-58 this season, putting them in second place in the AL Central, 5.5 games behind the Twins.
The Indians’ team batting average is .251, and they have hit 191 home runs this season. They have a team ERA of 3.69 after giving up eight and nine runs over their last two games.
The Indians are currently holding the second Wild Card spot in the American League. They will have to get out of their current slump quickly if they want to hold that spot with teams like Oakland and Boston right behind them. Oakland is just a half-game back, while Boston is five games behind them.
Aaron Civale will get the start for the Indians to kick off their series against the Sox. In his last start, the 24-year-old Civale got the win while allowing just two runs over seven innings against the Tigers. The win brought his record to 2-3 this season with a 1.96 ERA and 30 strikeouts.
Carlos Santana and Francisco Lindor lead the team on offense. The star 25-year-old shortstop Lindor is batting .296 with 26 home runs and 62 runs batted in. Indians veteran first baseman Santana has a .290 batting average with a team-leading 31 home runs and 82 runs batted in.
The Indians have had a solid season and still have playoff hopes if they can get out of their current slump. A big series at home against the White Sox gives them a chance to get things turned around hold onto their Wild Card spot.
The Indians have A.J. Cole, Tyler Olson and Tyler Naquin on the IL, while Jason Kipnis is listed as day-to-day.
What To Expect
Both teams are trying to get out of their current losing streaks, but the Indians are at home, where they are 41-27 this season. The White Sox have a solid roster all around, but the Indians are just going to be too much to handle with Civale on the mound. I like the Indians to take this one in a high-scoring game.
