Scott Delaney
Al DeMarco Thursday's Play 5 Dime - CHICAGO WHITE SOX (Buehrle) - 1 1/2 Runs over Kansas City (Chen)
The White Sox offense plated 23 runs in a three-game sweep at Cleveland completed last night. Chicago has averaged 6.64 runs during its current 9-2 spurt, scoring six or more in eight of those 11 contests. Tonight the Pale Hose march into Kansas City to face Bruce Chen, who last Saturday made his first major league start since August of 2006 following elbow surgery. The lefthander allowed seven hits and four runs - all earned - in 6.1 innings while losing to a light-hitting Pittsburgh team.
Chicago hurler Mark Buehrle struggled in his last start against the Cubs, giving up six hits and five runs - three earned - while walking three in just 5.2 innings. He received a no-decision in that game, but it did mark another White Sox victory, their 11th in his 15 outings this season. And Buehrle carries a 19-8 record and 3.48 career ERA against Kansas City into his third start versus the Royals this season. He failed to record a decision in either of the first two outings, but pitched well enough to win both, allowing five runs in 12.1 innings.
Buehrle will face a KC attack that's mustered just 26 runs in its last nine games, scoring no more than four in any of those contests.
Chicago swept a three-game series at Kauffman Stadium in its first trip to Kansas City in the closing days of May. The White Sox are on a 13-4 run on the road, where they're hitting over .280 this season. And, they've scored 37 runs and batted over .300 during their current five-game winning streak with Paul Konerko (5 HR last 11 games), Jermaine Dye (.486 last nine games) and Gordon Beckham (.579 and 6 RBI in last six games) powering the offense.
Considering my bankroll, I wouldn't mind playing this game on the moneyline. But, as you know, my limit is around -150 and you don't need any handicapper to tell you to bet on an overwhelming favorite in such situations, even if that line isn't that overwhelming. In reality, however, the prudent move and wise investment strategy tonight is to take the White Sox on the Run Line, making one of the hottest teams in baseball a great buy since we're laying - 1 1/2 runs. And considering they're averaging 6.64 runs in their last 11 games while the Royals have managed a total of 26 runs in their last nine, making this a Run Line release at - 1 1/2 runs is the mathematically-wise strategy.
BOUGHT,PAID AND CONFIRMED BY IRONHORSE AND ME-------GL GUYS
Thanks cork, but it is De Marco or Delaneys Pick???
