AL Series of the Week: Yankees at White Sox

The American League East division is in a dead heat for the top spot between the New York Yankees and the Tampa Bay Rays. The Yankees (currently +500 to win it all) will be looking to get out in front as they head to Chicago for a four-game series against the White Sox.

Meanwhile, the White Sox can’t seem to stand out in an American League Central division that has been dominated by the Minnesota Twins all season. This series could be a good chance to make some moves, and both teams will be playing hard to take it.

WHAT ARE THE ODDS?

It’s not hard to call this one in favor of the Yankees. They’re tied for 3rd place in a very competitive AL. They’re the third most favored team to win the 2019 World Series. And they’re holding their own in the only division in the majors with two teams over 40 wins on the season. The Yankees are doing just fine, and it’s not a huge mystery why.

Arguably, the more interesting question is why the White Sox aren’t doing better than they are. On paper, they appear like they should be at least long-shot contenders. Their decent offence hasn’t exactly failed to produce. James McCann and Tim Anderson are batting over .300, while Yoan Moncada and Jose Abreu have been reliably racking up RBIs, with 39 and 52 (tied with Eddie Rosario for most in the AL) respectively. Even DH Yonder Alonso’s disappointing .181 BA comes with 27 BBs and 26 RBIs.

But on the other side of the ball it’s a different story. The White Sox’ pitching staff has struggled so far with a team W-L% of .485 and a team ERA of 4.94, good for 4th worst in the AL. And that struggling staff has been backed up with a run defence that’s been downright lousy, with the second worst fielding percentage in the AL at .977, and the third most fielding errors on the season.

Notably, however, the Yankees haven’t exactly had outstanding fielding this season either, sitting only two spots ahead of the White Sox in fielding percentage, and one spot worse in total errors. So with similarly bad defence, you can learn a lot from say, a stat like run differential. And with the Yankees sitting at a solid +70 runs, compared the White Sox’ -55, a vivid picture is painted.

WHAT TO WATCH FOR

Expect the bats to be the deciding factor in just about each of the four games. With neither team’s starting rotation really performing, any game out of this series could end up being a real shootout. Yankees veteran CC Sabathia is chasing his 250th career win, but he recently came off the injured list and has lost twice since.

He’s scheduled to get the start on Friday against Chicago RHP Lucas Giolito, who is the unsung gem of the Sox’ rotation, with a 9-1 record on the season. He’s also the only White Sox starter with an ERA under 3.00, sitting at a cool 2.28.

That’s a pretty hot matchup, which should make Friday’s game the standout for bettors.