Point-Spreads.com Picks White Sox Over Athletics

Point-Spreads.com picks the Chicago White Sox over the Oakland Athletics in their July 3, 2008 matchup:

The Chicago White Sox have kept some breathing room between them and Minnesota in the American League Central by winning six straight as of Wednesday. The White Sox will try to keep this run going when they host the Oakland Athletics at Cellular Field on Thursday night to kick off a four-game series. BetOnline.com has the Chicago White Sox –127 odds baseball prediction favorite against the Oakland Athletics +107 odds with the total set at 8 runs and –105 reduced juice.

Justin Duchscherer (8-5, 1.91) had a four-game winning streak snapped in a 1-0 loss at home to San Francisco, giving up a run on only two hits over eight innings. Duchscherer is rocketing through his first year as a full-time starter in the big leagues, as he leads the American League in ERA and has now given up more than two runs in only one of his 13 starts in 2008. The 30-year-old righthander who is in his seventh major-league season made two relief appearances against the White Sox last season, blowing one save opportunity with an ERA of 9.00.

Javier Vazquez (7-6, 4.49) had his fifth straight outing of four earned runs or more as he took a no-decision in a 6-5 win at home over the Cubs, allowing five runs on nine hits in just 4 1/3 innings with seven strikeouts and three walks. Cellular Field has been very good to Vazquez this season, as he is 5-1 in eight home starts with an ERA of 4.68. Vazquez faced the Athletics once last season, earning a no-decision by giving up four runs on seven hits over six innings in an 8-5 loss at Oakland.

These two split a two-game set in Chicago in early April in a low-scoring affair, and this could be another one of those games if Vazquez can be more efficient. The 31-year-old threw 105 pitches in that outing against the Cubs, and is now averaging almost 105 pitcher per game, which is high for a pitcher that only gives up five to six innings. However, four of Duchscherer’s five losses have come on the road, so take the White Sox to come away with a close one on Thursday.

Oakland Athletics at Chicago White Sox – 8:11 PM ET

Free Baseball Prediction: Chicago White Sox

 

Source: Point-Spreads.com