Cincinnati Reds vs. Chicago White Sox Prediction: Can Andrew Abbott Rack Up the Strikeouts Against White Sox?
The Cincinnati Reds travel to Chicago tonight to take on the White Sox. Can Andrew Abbott rack up the strikeouts against the White Sox? Ben Rajavuori answers.
Ben Rajavuori - April 12, 2024, 4:42 PM EDT
5 minCincinnati Reds vs. Chicago White Sox Prediction: Can Andrew Abbott Rack Up the Strikeouts Against White Sox?
The Cincinnati Reds travel to Chicago tonight to take on the White Sox from Guaranteed Rate Field in the windy city. The Reds are coming into this game off a series loss against the Brewers, dropping two of their three games at home earlier in the week. They fell to 6–6 on the season but have still had one of the best offenses early on in the season. The White Sox, meanwhile, have been one of the worst teams in baseball, sporting a record of 2–10 over their first 12 games. They are 1-6 in their last seven games and it does not look like it will be a great season for the pale hose. What should we expect in tonight‘s game?
Reds vs. White Sox DATE, TIME, AND WHERE TO WATCH
- Date: April 12, 2024
- Start Time: 7:40 p.m. ET
- Where to Watch: MLB Extra Innings
Cincinnati Reds vs. Chicago White Sox Prediction
Despite Cincinnati looking like the better side in tonight’s game, the money line has a pretty hefty price attached at -180. The way I am attacking this game instead will be by backing Andrew Abbott on his strikeouts prop.
Andrew Abbott had an impressive rookie season, sporting a 3.87 ERA across 21 starts last year. He also struck out 120 batters in 109 innings. This year, he is off to another decent start, giving up two earned runs in each of his first two starts against the Phillies and Mets, which has placed him with a 3.48 ERA over his first two appearances this season. Tonight, he faces one of the most struggling lineups in baseball right now in the White Sox. The White Sox are currently 26th in batting average with a .212 team batting average. They also have the 12th-highest strikeout rate. However, this is combining their splits against all pitchers. When you break it down against left-handed pitchers, they have struggled even more. Early on this season, the White Sox have the highest strikeout rate against left-handed pitching in the MLB, being the only team above a 30% strikeout rate against left-handed pitchers at 31%. they are also hitting just .198 against lefties. Andrew Abbott, being a lefty, should thrive in this matchup. Andrew Abbott is sitting at just 5.5 K's on his strikeout line tonight. Although he has hit just four in both of his first two starts this season, he is a guy who is usually getting a little more than a strikeout per inning on average going back to last season's stats. Considering the White Sox have struck out the most in the MLB against left-handed pitching, it’s safe to assume Abbott can easily hit six strikeouts if he pitches five or more innings, which he has done so in both starts this year and then nearly every start last year. Although there’s a little bit of juice to eat on this one, I do not doubt that this one hits.
Cincinnati Reds vs. Chicago White Sox Pick
Pick: Andrew Abbott Over 5.5 K's -145 Click here to see which sportsbook has the best odds
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