Al DeMarco
Monday's Play
5 Dime - Chicago White Sox
The White Sox were pounded by Baltimore at home on Sunday in a 10-2 loss, but prior to that setback the Pale Hose had won 16 of 23. Keying their surge has been an offense that's averaged 6.39 runs in that stretch. And tonight Chicago's lineup gets its hacks against Tampa rookie David Price, who is 0-2 with a 7.27 ERA in four road starts this season.
White Sox hurler Gavin Floyd bounced back from a rough start to the season to quietly become one of the most effective pitchers in baseball in May and June. Although he was hit hard in his final two outings prior to the All Star break, allowing 10 earned runs in 13 innings, it's worth noting his long stretch of success prior to those bumps in the road as he allowed only nine earned runs in his previous eight starts covering 58.1 innings. And Floyd carries a 3-0 record and 1.73 ERA in his last six home starts, all of which were Chicago victories.
Tampa is coming off a three-game sweep of the lowly Royals in Kansas City, but the Rays are still five games under .500 on the road on the season at 21-26. Prior to their success in KC, they had lost four in a row on the highway.
With a rookie hurler on the mound who runs up high pitch counts and a bullpen that's been weakened by injuries, plus a hot Chicago team playing at home at a discounted price, the play here is to go against Tampa Bay and back Floyd and the White Sox.
Bought & confirmed by me.
GL!