Guardians (54-57) vs. White Sox (44-68) Game Preview | 8/6 12:05 PM

August 6, 2023

Andy Billman

Series Finale Against the Chicago White Sox


3 Things Preview For Todays Game:

1 – About Last Night 

After the game, manager Terry Francona spoke to the press and mentioned how emotions were stirred with White Sox second baseman Tim Anderson chirping to first baseman Gaberial Arias.  Francona said, “Before it started, Tim Anderson was yelling at Gabriel Arias. The umpire went over and told them to knock it off.” 

More from Francona, “I did know that some things were going between Anderson and Gabby that our guys didn’t appreciate.

“I didn’t appreciate the fact that Anderson when he had 11 or 12 guys in between him, that’s when he started talking.

“I said something to him. That’s probably what their manager was yelling about.”

Later, Francona would say, “But it’s hard to let somebody speak to you like that and not say anything. It’s emotions, but that’s OK.”

2 – JRAM on Last Night 

Jose Ramirez on why it started “Then, as soon as the play happened, he tagged me again really hard, more than needed. His reaction was that he wanted to fight. I had to defend myself.”   Later, Ramirez was asked if he felt like he got Anderson, “I felt I was able to land one.”

Ramirez explained the frustration building up regarding Anderson’s play and chatter on the field.  Ramirez said, “He’s been disrespecting the game for a while. I’ve had a chance to tell him during the game, ‘Don’t do this stuff. Don’t be disrespectful. Don’t tag people that way.’ We’re here trying to provide for our families, and you can take somebody out of the game that way.”

All comments from Ramirez were through interpreter Agustin Rivero.

3 – Moving Forward 

Xzavion Curry is back on the bump today in an early 12 pm EST start for the Guardians.


Guardians Notes

Xzavion Curry of the Guardians is set to take the mound as they seek to wrap up the series. Curry, who has primarily been a bullpen asset, is now being tested as a starting pitcher. The rookie has been showcasing an exceptional season, evident from his recent 1.2 innings of scoreless play against the Astros. Notably, he boasts an impressive 2.90 ERA and a 1.18 WHIP, maintaining a perfect 3-0 record across 59 innings pitched. His skill has been evident against the White Sox, allowing only two runs over 7.1 innings, all within this season.

Cleveland bid farewell to slugger Josh Bell, who had been struggling through a lackluster season. Their struggles to generate runs are evident, having scored three or fewer runs in each game during a series sweep by the Astros prior to this matchup. They managed to plate four runs in Friday’s triumph. Despite these challenges, the Guardians are just two games away from securing the top spot and have maintained a balanced record of 5 wins and 5 losses in their last ten games. Unfortunately, Josh Naylor finds himself on the injured list.

The departure of key hitters means that much will now fall upon Andres Gimenez. The 24-year-old second baseman has stepped up, recording 42 RBIs this season, though his overall OPS stands at a modest .696. However, he has shown his mettle against the White Sox, amassing four RBIs and an impressive .800 OPS. Gimenez even showcased his power with a home run during Friday’s victory.

Cleveland’s performance at the plate has declined, averaging 4.09 runs, placing them 25th in the league. On the bright side, their pitching staff remains formidable, boasting a commendable 3.83 team ERA, securing them a respectable sixth-place ranking.

Guardians Stats and Insights

GUARDIANS PROBABLE PITCHER – Xzavion Curry

  • Curry and his team are 1-2-0 ATS this season when he starts.
  • The right-hander’s last appearance came in relief on Wednesday when he threw 1 2/3 scoreless innings out of the bullpen against the Houston Astros while allowing two hits.
  • Curry’s team is 1-1 this season when he starts and they’re favored on the money line.
  • Curry’s team is 1-2 when he starts this season.
  • Games Curry has started this season hit over two times in three chances.

GUARDIANS HITTING TRENDS

  • The Guardians have a 16-5 record in games this season when they hit at least two homers.
  • Cleveland is 16-5 in games this season when it has had five or more extra-base hits.
  • The club has notched at least eight hits 69 times this season and has a 38-31 record in those games.
  • Cleveland is 33-8 in games this season when it scored at least five runs.
  • The Guardians have drawn five or more walks in 26 games this season, and are 15-11 in those contests.

White Sox Notes

On Sunday afternoon, the White Sox will entrust Jessie Scholtens with the pitching duties. Scholtens showcased a remarkable performance in his previous outing, holding the potent Rangers offense to just one run over six innings, although the team suffered a loss. Despite being a rookie primarily used in relief, Scholtens has demonstrated a strong performance with a 3.07 ERA and a 1.23 WHIP, along with a 1-4 record over 44 innings pitched this year. This upcoming game will mark his first encounter with the Guardians.

Chicago underwent an intriguing transition by trading key veterans for promising prospects while maintaining a sturdy foundation of younger players. However, the team is currently facing challenges, having recorded a 2-8 record in their last ten games and failing to secure a series victory since mid-July. Before this series, the White Sox were swept in Texas, conceding a total of 18 runs. Unfortunately, their offensive struggles persisted in the recent loss on Friday.

Amidst the struggles, Andrew Vaughn has emerged as a shining star this season. The 25-year-old first baseman has managed to tally four RBIs in his past ten games, accumulating a total of 13 home runs, 58 RBIs, and an impressive .741 OPS for the season. Notably, Vaughn has excelled against the Guardians, boasting four RBIs and an outstanding .920 OPS in matchups against them.

Chicago’s average scoring stands at 4.07 runs per game, ranking them 26th in the league. Meanwhile, pitching has been an ongoing challenge throughout the season, with the team recording a 4.66 ERA, placing them at the 25th spot in the league’s pitching statistics.

White Sox Stats and Insights

WHITE SOX PROBABLE PITCHER – Jesse Scholtens

  • Scholtens (1-4 with a 3.07 ERA and 29 strikeouts in 44 2/3 innings pitched) gets the start for the White Sox, his fourth of the season.
  • In his last appearance on Wednesday, the righty tossed six innings against the Texas Rangers, allowing one earned run while surrendering three hits.
  • Scholtens will try to record his third game of five or more innings pitched this season. He’s averaging 2.6 innings per appearance.
  • He has made nine appearances this season in which he did not surrender an earned run.
  • The White Sox were the underdog on the money line for three Scholtens starts this season — they lost all of the games.
  • Scholtens’ team has lost all three of his starts this season.
  • Scholtens’ starts with a set total this season have hit the over in one of three contests.

WHITE SOX HITTING TRENDS

  • The Guardians have a 16-5 record in games this season when they hit at least two homers.
  • Cleveland is 16-5 in games this season when it has had five or more extra-base hits.
  • The club has notched at least eight hits 69 times this season and has a 38-31 record in those games.
  • Cleveland is 33-8 in games this season when it scored at least five runs.
  • The Guardians have drawn five or more walks in 26 games this season, and are 15-11 in those contests.

Final Thoughts/Pick

The Chicago White Sox find themselves without any meaningful objectives, while the Cleveland Guardians are fervently pursuing the top spot in the AL Central standings. The White Sox appear disheartened and have been performing dismally, having lost seven of their last ten games, including a 4-2 defeat just last Friday. In contrast, the Guardians have displayed consistency, securing victory in seven out of their last eleven home matches.

Adding to this, Xzavion Curry has transitioned to a starting role. Having showcased dominance from the bullpen, Curry boasts an impressive 2.90 ERA and a 1.19 WHIP. Notably, he has effectively contained the White Sox lineup, allowing them a mere two runs over 7.1 innings in the current season. Anticipating another formidable display, I foresee Curry delivering a strong performance against a struggling White Sox offense.

Our Pick: Take Guardians and the Money Line

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