After losing the opener 4-3, the White Sox were able to bounce back Friday night with a 12-8 win over the Angels. It was an offensive explosion as the White Sox put up 12 runs, including a grand slam from 2020 AL MVP Jose Abreu and a solo shot from shortstop Tim Anderson.
In the loss, first baseman Albert Pujols hit his first home run of the season, while Shohei Ohtani also blasted one. Unfortunately, the Los Angeles pitching just couldn’t get it done as starter Andrew Heaney gave up seven earned runs in just three innings of work.
The pitching matchup for Saturday’s game features righty Lance Lynn going for the White Sox against the Angels’ Alex Cobb.
By The Numbers
Against Lynn, Mike Trout is a player to watch. In 23 at-bats against Lynn, Trout is hitting .261 with two home runs and a couple of runs batted in. Both Justin Upton and Jared Walsh have also homered off the righty.
No one on the White Sox has more than five at-bats against Cobb, but there are five players hitting .400 or better in those limited at-bats. Both Yoan Moncada and Leury Garcia have homered off Cobb, and both have three runs batted in off the righty.
White Sox Look To Live Up To Expectations
With the additions of manager Tony La Russa, closer Liam Hendricks and Lynn to an already loaded roster, expectations could not be higher for the White Sox. Even with Eloy Jimenez out with a torn pectoral muscle for the next several months, they are still the favorites to win the AL Central.
Lynn will make his debut Saturday after being acquired from the Texas Rangers over the offseason. Last year, Lynn went 6-3 with a 3.32 ERA, 1.06 WHIP and struck out 89 in 84 innings. After two games where both teams went deep into their bullpens, the White Sox hope to get a strong start from Lynn.
Offensively, the White Sox are loaded from top to bottom, but it is Abreu that leads the young squad. Last season, Abreu hit .317/.370/.617 with 19 home runs, 60 runs batted in and 43 runs scored in just 240 at-bats. When you add players like Luis Robert, Anderson, Yoan Moncada, Yasmani Grandal and others, there aren’t too many holes in this lineup.
Angels Trying To Get Enough Pitching
With Trout, Anthony Rendon, Ohtani and others driving the offense, putting up runs should not be an issue for the Angels. Unfortunately, their concern every year seems to be with the pitching staff and whether they can keep runs off the board. Last season, they ranked 27th in the majors, allowing 5.35 runs per game.
To help bolster the rotation, the Angels added Cobb this offseason, and he will take the mound on Saturday. Last season with the Orioles, Cobb went 2-5 with a 4.30 ERA, 1.33 WHIP and struck out 38 in 52 1/3 innings. He will have a tough task right out of the gates taking on the White Sox.
Offensively, you have to start any conversation with Trout. Like most seasons, he is the favorite to win the AL MVP at +220.
Last season, he hit .281/.390/.603 with 17 home runs, 46 runs batted in and 41 runs scored. Despite his unbelievable success, it has not translated to the team as he is still looking to win his first postseason series.
Strong Start On The Mound Pivotal
Despite being just the third game of the season, both of these bullpens have already been worked pretty hard. On Friday, the two bullpens combined to pitch 5 1/2 of the nine innings. With the bullpens stretched thin, a strong start is crucial in the outcome.
Between the two pitchers, Lynn is the one you have to feel more comfortable with. While he was at least in the conversation for the AL Cy Young last season, Cobb was rather pedestrian with the Orioles.
Granted, either offense can take over the game, but the saying is you are only as good as your next day’s starter, and the advantage there goes to the White Sox.
Free Pick: Chicago
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