Cleveland Indians vs. Chicago White Sox Match Preview

Two A.L. Central rivals will square off Monday in the first of a three-game series as the Cleveland Indians (5-3) square off with the Chicago White Sox (4-5). Chicago will host this one at Guaranteed Rate Field, with first pitch scheduled for 8:10 pm ET.

After a disappointing first series against the Tigers, where the Indians dropped two of three, they have been rolling as of late. Coming into play, they have won four in a row, including a 5-2 win over Detroit Sunday. In the win, Logan Allen pitched five innings of one-run ball, and Emmanuel Clase picked up his second save.

Chicago was not so fortunate on Sunday. They have now lost two of their last three, including a 4-3 loss to the Royals Sunday. In the extra-inning loss, Adam Eaton hit his second home run of the season.

The White Sox are the favorites in this one playing at home. They are -138 to win while the Indians’ moneyline is +118. The runline features Cleveland +1.5, while the over/under for total runs is nine.

Pitching Matchup

Cleveland will send righty Triston McKenzie (0-0, 2.45 ERA) to the mound Monday. This will be his first start of the season as this is actually the first time Cleveland has needed a fifth starter due to off days. He has pitched just under four innings in relief, allowing just a single run.

Carlos Rodon (1-0, 0.00 ERA) was rather impressive in his first start of the season and will look to replicate it against the Tribe. In his first outing, a 6-0 win over the Mariners, Rodon went five innings allowing just two hits and three walks while striking out nine.

By The Numbers

Offensively, the White Sox have been the stronger of the two teams early on. They rank fourth in scoring averaging six runs per game. The Indians rank 12th, averaging 4.57 runs.

Defensively, it is all Cleveland. They rank second in the league in runs allowed per game at just 2.86. The White Sox fall to 17th, allowing an average of 4.50 runs.

Cleveland Hopes To Keep Winning Streak Going

It may have been a dismal start to the season, losing the opening series to the Detroit Tigers, but the Indians got their revenge this last weekend sweeping the Tigers at home. Currently holding the third-best odds to win the Central (+950), the Indians are trying to take down the favorites in Chicago.

Offensively, Franmil Reyes has been lights out thus far. He is currently hitting .333/.375/.800 with four home runs and seven runs batted in.

Behind Reyes, the Indians have three players who have hit two home runs apiece in Jordan Luplow, Roberto Perez, and Jose Ramirez.

White Sox Hope To Get Back On Track

It is early in the season, so while the panic has not set in, the White Sox have shown that they are not a flawless team. With injuries to Eloy Jimenez and Tim Anderson, they have both issues in their offense and defense. Still, at -110 to win the Central, they will hope to get back on track against a division rival.

Leading the way offensively for the White Sox has been surprise slugger Yermin Mercedes. On the season, he is hitting an astounding .536/.594/.857 with two home runs and seven runs batted in.

Defending A.L. MVP Jose Abreu has also had a decent start. While he is hitting just .216 and has 13 strikeouts, he also is tied for the club lead in home runs (two) and leads the club in runs batted in (nine).

Taking Cleveland On The Runline

This is a classic matchup of offense versus defense. The White Sox are more apt at scoring, but the Indians are better at keeping runs off the board.

It may come down to the starters. Triston McKenzie is making his debut, but he showed last year he can be electric when on. Carlos Rodon was lights out in his first start, but he doesn’t have the strongest track record of consistency.

There is certainly something to be said about momentum, though, and right now, the Indians have it.