Mr. IWS
09-30-2008, 02:15 PM
Big Al
At 7:35 pm, our selection is on the Chicago White Sox over the Minnesota Twins. When the Chisox went into the Metrodome last week, it was no surprise that Minnesota swept them, as Chicago only won one game (against eight losses) on the road vs. the Twins this year. But at home, on the south side of Chicago, Ozzie Guillen's bunch is 7-2 vs. the Twins. Chicago is also 36-18 at home vs. righties, and 22-6 at home off a win of 4+ runs. Last week, Nick Blackburn started the middle game of the series and, although he only gave up 2 runs, he wasn't very effective and had to pitch in-and-out of trouble. He surrendered eight hits and two walks in just five innings pitched, and was fortunate to get the win. Blackburn has been a lot worse on the road this year, compared to at the Metrodome. His ERA away from home is 5.20, while it's 2.95 at home. And at night, his ERA is also much worse than in the day (4.64 compared to 2.95). The White Sox also have a .333 batting average vs. Blackburn this year (in five starts). His ERA vs. the Pale Hose is 5.67 and his WHIP is 1.70, and on the road at US Cellular Field this year, those numbers dip to 7.20 ERA and the Twins lost all three of his starts. Lefthander John Danks didn't start in the series last week vs. Minnesota, and at home this year, he has held opposing batters to a .247 batting average, and he has Chicago's best ERA of any starter this season at 3.47. Interestingly, after the game last week vs. the Twins and Blackburn, manager Ozzie Guillen ripped on Blackburn's performance, and chastised his team for not getting a breakthrough hit when his team had bases loaded, and 2nd and 3rd situations early in the game. Guillen didn't back off his criticism of Blackburn when reminded of his comments yesterday, and Guillen said the White Sox lost that game because they didn't approach hitting against Blackburn the right way. Look for Chicago to get it right today. Take the White Sox. Good luck, as always...Al McMordie.
At 7:35 pm, our selection is on the Chicago White Sox over the Minnesota Twins. When the Chisox went into the Metrodome last week, it was no surprise that Minnesota swept them, as Chicago only won one game (against eight losses) on the road vs. the Twins this year. But at home, on the south side of Chicago, Ozzie Guillen's bunch is 7-2 vs. the Twins. Chicago is also 36-18 at home vs. righties, and 22-6 at home off a win of 4+ runs. Last week, Nick Blackburn started the middle game of the series and, although he only gave up 2 runs, he wasn't very effective and had to pitch in-and-out of trouble. He surrendered eight hits and two walks in just five innings pitched, and was fortunate to get the win. Blackburn has been a lot worse on the road this year, compared to at the Metrodome. His ERA away from home is 5.20, while it's 2.95 at home. And at night, his ERA is also much worse than in the day (4.64 compared to 2.95). The White Sox also have a .333 batting average vs. Blackburn this year (in five starts). His ERA vs. the Pale Hose is 5.67 and his WHIP is 1.70, and on the road at US Cellular Field this year, those numbers dip to 7.20 ERA and the Twins lost all three of his starts. Lefthander John Danks didn't start in the series last week vs. Minnesota, and at home this year, he has held opposing batters to a .247 batting average, and he has Chicago's best ERA of any starter this season at 3.47. Interestingly, after the game last week vs. the Twins and Blackburn, manager Ozzie Guillen ripped on Blackburn's performance, and chastised his team for not getting a breakthrough hit when his team had bases loaded, and 2nd and 3rd situations early in the game. Guillen didn't back off his criticism of Blackburn when reminded of his comments yesterday, and Guillen said the White Sox lost that game because they didn't approach hitting against Blackburn the right way. Look for Chicago to get it right today. Take the White Sox. Good luck, as always...Al McMordie.