MLB
8/24/22 7:05PM Eastern Time.
Moneyline: White Sox -120 / Orioles Even.
Spread: White Sox -1.5 +135 / Orioles +1.5 -165
Total: Over/Under 8.5.
The Chicago White Sox and Baltimore Orioles meet for game 2 of a 3-game set. The Orioles took the opener by a score of 5 to 3. Lucas Giolito is set to take the mound for Chicago and Spenser Watkins will start for Baltimore. First pitch is scheduled for 7:05PM Eastern Time.
Lucas Giolito
Giolito has had a disappointing 2022 campaign, failing to recapture his form from years past. It’s been a consistency issue; he’s been unable to string together consistent quality starts. He’s always owned better numbers on the road compared to at home but this year he has a 6.71 ERA in 10 home starts contrary to a 4.16 era in 12 road starts. His 4.16 road era suggests he’s been average, but he’s been rather dominant on the road. He’s allowed 2ER or fewer in 8 of his 12 road starts and has only given up more than 3ER in 2 of those 12 starts. In his last 5 road starts he has an era of 2.54.
Spenser Watkins
Watkins has put together a solid sophomore season in Baltimore. After a rookie season that saw him demoted to bullpen duties, he’s compiled 78 innings of solid work in 2022. He has an era of 4.04 in 17 appearances, 16 starts. He’s been hit or miss in August, a couple of strong appearances and 2 not so great. He does have a higher era at home (4.35) then on the road (3.75).
Offense
The Orioles offense has been playing well the past week, a productive slash line of .271/ .342/.464. The White Sox are slumping a bit but offensively the numbers aren’t too bad, .257/.354/.341. Last night is a strong indication of where the White Sox bats are headed. Although they scored just 3 runs, they did rack up 11 hits and 4 walks last night. They went just 2 for 13 with RISP and left 13 guys on base which is why it wasn’t a more productive day. Some of it was just tough luck, they had multiple hard-hit balls that resulted in outs simply because it was hit right at someone. Up and down the line-up Chicago took quality at bats last night.
The Pick
I expect a strong outing on the road from Giolito tonight where he’s been sharp all season. Apart from jumping on Cease early last night the Orioles managed just 3 hits outside of the 1st inning and 5 all game. This is a White Sox offense poised to break out, they have 21 hits and 11 walks in their L2 games and not many runs to show for all their quality at bats and hard contact. The ball will find some holes tonight.
