White Sox (Lynn, 10-4, 2.50) vs Rangers (Howard, 0-4, 7.09)

It is out of the MLB frying pan and into the fire for the Rangers, losing 3 of 4 to the Astros, before facing the White Sox in Chicago. The Sox haven’t been their usual first-place selves of late at only 5-5, but they do have Lance Lynn on the mound on Saturday. Lynn missed a start, but came back just as ever, pitching five strong innings of 2 hit shut-out ball. He might be on a shorter leash as innings-count goes. He is backed by a very strong White Sox pen, with a 2.01 ERA in the last three weeks.

Spenser Howard, the Rangers starter, is more of an opener/long relief pitcher, whether by plan or ineffectiveness. He has not had much of a season, as his ERA might suggest, and his outings are very short. It could be a long day for the Texas bullpen. The Rangers relievers are worse than usual in their last 7 games, at a collective 4.81 ERA.

Texas has been light-hitting all season and at the moment, sits 26th in batting in MLB. They are 32 -40 at home and a remarkably poor 30-61 versus right-handers. This does not bode well against Lance Lynn.

The White Sox are a decent road team, good vs right-handers, hitting just about as expected, and a very strong road favorite team.

I like the White Sox in this situation. The are a heavy favorite but I think they are worth the extra runs today. Take the White Sox -1.5.