SAM CLAYTON
Saturday, August 8
25 dime - White Sox
Truth be told, the White Sox dropping last night's opener against the Indians might have set the table for tonight's relatively low line. Chicago has won 10 of 15 games at Comiskey Park, including series wins against Baltimore, Tampa Bay, New York and Los Angeles. Call me naive, but the South Siders are not going to drop two straight to the pewtrid Indians, who've lost 32 of 53 games on the highway this season. Carlos Torres gets the call for the Sox and he did a hell of a job in his MLB debut on July 22 against the Rays, allowing only three runs in six innings pitched. Torres is the type of pitcher that throws to contact and his odds are great tonight as Cleveland's roster is depleted after trading away Victor Martinez and Ryan Garko. The Tribe is 15 games under .500 and tonight they start a career middle reliever in Justin Masterson, who has given up 16 runs his last four starts, good for a 0-2 mark with a 6.00 ERA. I don't like Masterson's chances against a hungry White Sox lineup that's out to even the series after a abysmal outing last night. Chicago has plated 47 runs in seven games and I expect them to come out firing on all cylinders tonight in order to even the series at one game a piece. Cleveland's bullpen is in shambles and if the Sox get to Masterson early, this one could get very ugly real quick. Play the South Siders as your Saturday top play and second consecutive 25 dime winner.