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MLB Betting – Texas vs. Chicago Preview & Pick

Shea weighs in with his MLB Free Pick for Saturday. It’s the Texas Rangers at Chicago White Sox matching up at U.S. Cellular Field, The Rangers are currently 140-moneyline favorites…

MLB Betting – Rangers vs White Sox Preview & Pick

The Arizona Diamondbacks are taking a pretty big gamble on Saturday when they trot a rookie out to the mound in the middle of a playoff race.

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Bet On Baseball – Rangers vs. White Sox Preview & Pick
Date: Saturday, August 20, 2011
Venue: U.S. Cellular Field, Chicago, IL
Broadcast: FSH, WGN
Texas Rangers at Chicago White Sox Betting Lines from Bodog.com
Money Line: Rangers -140
Over/Under: 8
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Texas Rangers (72-53 through August 18)
Alexi Ogando (12-5, 3.33)

A sizzling 6-1 on their road trip through Thursday, the Texas Rangers are quickly distancing themselves in the American League West. Their bats are absolutely sizzling. Michael Young is well on his way to a career year at age 34, batting .342 with 85 RBI. Nelson Cruz and Josh Hamilton are contributing their usual prolific power numbers.

Rookie Alexi Ogando’s overall stats still sparkle but the Rangers’ offensive surge comes at an opportune time because he’s starting to sag. He had a 2.92 ERA at the All-Star break but his mark is 4.54 in six starts since.

Chicago White Sox (61-62 through August 18)
John Danks (5-9, 3.95)

It looked like the Chicago White Sox were heating up just in time to contend in the American League Central. But losing two of three in a crucial series with Cleveland this week has them on the ropes again. [dfads params=’groups=10&limit=1&return_javascript=0′]

Someone other than Paul Konerko needs to chip in offensively for the Pale Hose. If not, the Sox will just have to hope John Danks can continue his improved recent play on the mound. Since returning from the DL on July 20, he’s allowed two earned runs or fewer in three of five starts. Danks, however, has beaten Texas just once in seven career outings, going 1-4 with a 4.00 ERA

MLB Trends

TEX are 8-1 in their last 9 road games.
TEX are 7-1 in their last 8 overall.
Over is 7-2-1 in TEX last 10 Sat. games.
CHW are 8-1 in their last 9 Sat. games.
Under is 8-2 in CHW last 10 Sat. games.
CHW are 3-10 in their last 13 home games.
Under is 8-2 in the last 10 meetings.

MLB Free pick:

Ogando is struggling a bit of late, but here’s a telling stat: he has a 7.04 ERA this month…but is unbeaten in three starts. He’s had run support in spades from the outstanding Ranger bats.

Lefthanded swing be damned, Hamilton will be a guy to watch on Saturday. He’s a .455 lifetime hitter against the lefty Danks. So is Elvis Andrus.

Hamilton is feeling it overall against the White Sox this season, batting .417, and should lead the Rangers over them on Saturday.

Factoring in Texas’ hot hitting plus the struggles of pretty much every Chicago hitter not named Konerko, Texas looks like a solid road play.

Rangers vs White Sox prediction: Rangers 5, White Sox 3

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By Shea Matthews

Shea Matthews the Senior Writer at CP. Lives and breathes sports. He made the transition from athlete to sports journalist at a young age, writing in TV & national papers. Shea applies his knowledge to sports betting + handicapping daily, and shares winning picks with the world.