TOM STRYKER’S FREE BASEBALL SELECTION SUNDAY, AUGUST 27TH
#970 CHICAGO with Clevinger (-132) over Oakland with Blackburn at 2:10 PM EST
In need of a victory to split the series with the A’s and staring at a rough three-game set on the road against the O’s up next, the White Sox will make sure they cash this ticket. Oakland remains the worst team in baseball and Chicago doesn’t want to drop three-of-four to the Athletics. That would be an embarrassment.
Right-hander Mike Clevinger will hit the hump for the home team. In four August starts versus the Mariners, Cubs, Yankees, and Guardians, No. 52 has pitched well allowing only eight earned runs and 20 hits in 23.0 innings of work. Big Mike struck out 19 and walked 10 on his way to a 1-2 mark with a strong 3.13 ERA. Equally impressive, with eight home starts in the books, Clevinger has surrendered just 12 earned runs and 34 hits in 41.0 frames. That’s good enough for a 3-2 record with a powerful 2.63 ERA.
Righty Paul Blackburn will counter for the visitors. Facing the Royals, Cardinals, Nationals, and Giants in his last four performances this month, No. 58 was scratched for six earned runs and 20 hits in 24.2 innings. Paul whiffed 24 and walked nine on his way to a 1-1 tally with a respectable 2.19 ERA. Thankfully, in his last three outings against the ChiSox, Blackburn was bombed for eight earned runs and 16 hits in 15.1 frames. After the math, that adds up to an 0-2 mark with a 4.70 ERA.
Three powerful team trends support this investment. Oakland has fallen in 47 of its last 65 on foreign soil, 43 of its last 52 in day games, and 67 of its last 91 matched up against a right-handed starter.
Even though the Pale Hose are having a down year, dropping a four-game set is something they don’t want to do, especially in their own backyard. Take Chicago with Clevinger. Thanks and best of luck, Tom.
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