MLB Lines – Padres vs White Sox
This interleague match-up features a punchless offense (the visiting Padres) doing battle with an offense that’s been downright Mike Tyson-esque so far this season. It will be interesting to see if anything bucks the trend on Friday night.
Date/Time: Friday, May 30 2014, 7:10 EST
Venue: US Cellular Field, Chicago IL
San Diego, Chicago (no odds yet listed)
Pitching Match-up: Ian Kennedy (3-6, 3.59 ERA) vs. John Danks (3-4, 4.90 ERA)
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The reality on the South Side of Chicago may be rather different than the numbers suggest, because White Sox (28-27) big bopper Jose Abreu has been placed on the disabled list.
The Padres (24-30) have been unreliable in the run support department, and it shows with the starter on the hill tomorrow night. Ian Kennedy has pitched really well so far; his peripheral stats look enticing (a 1.14 WHIP to go with the ERA in the mid threes) but the Friars simply don’t help his win/loss record because they don’t push many runs across.
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San Diego ranks right near the bottom of the league in all estimable offensive categories. Certain players have been especially shocking: 2B Jedd Gyorko leads the team in RBI with only 24, but he’s hitting only .193 and is barely cracking .200 with his on-base percentage. Numbers like that should get you shipped to Triple A.
The Padres don’t have any better options, mind, so while pitchers like Kennedy, the injured Andrew Cashner and Tyson Ross continue to pitch brilliantly, they are seldom rewarded with wins.
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If the Padres can find any consistent offensive dynamic, they’ll be a much scarier team to play. That hasn’t been a concern for the White Sox.
Slugger Abreu has led most of the offensive fireworks for the Pale Hose, so his absence from the lineup is noteworthy. Still, the Sox have enjoyed steady hitting from SS Alexei Ramirez and OF Adam Eaton (Eaton also brings game-changing speed to the table).
The prolific batting order has made Chicago a tough customer so far and sees the Sox above .500 and currently in second place in the AL Central division.
One area of concern on Friday night is the performance of pitcher John Danks. The veteran Texan was long a crucial cog in the Sox starting rotation, but various ailments have kind of derailed his career. His ERA and WHIP are notably above his career norms and he must find his form, because all the pitching can’t be done by ace Chris Sale and overachiever Jose Quintana.
If Danks can have a strong outing and unsung heroes like Blue Jays castoff Moises Sierra keep leaving an impact (Sierra won a game in extras for the Sox on Wednesday night), the White Sox should be favored at home.
Kennedy has been on his game lately and will look to keep it going, but the lifeless bats make putting faith in the Padres uncomfortable.
MLB Prediction
If clueless San Diego hitters can get to Danks early, then the visitors will have something to work with. However, that is not a safe bet and some hot Chicago bats should pick up a struggling Danks for a victory against his National League opposition.
Chicago 7, San Diego 5
