Chicago White Sox at Cleveland Indians: 5 Bold Predictions

Apr 12, 2014; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago White Sox designated hitter Adam Dunn (44) hits a 2 RBI single during the first inning against the Cleveland Indians at U.S Cellular Field. Mandatory Credit: Dennis Wierzbicki-USA TODAY Sports

This weekend’s series between the Chicago White Sox and the Cleveland Indians in Cleveland is their second series against each other this season, with the White Sox holding the series lead in 2014 at 3-1.

These two teams faced each other on April 10-13 with the White Sox winning by scores of 7-3, 9-6 and 4-3. The one game the White Sox lost was on April 12, by a 12-6 score.

Entering this series, the White Sox are fourth in the AL Central with a 14-15 record after 29 games, but they are playing better than a team with a sub-.500 record and better than one with a two-game losing streak.

White Sox are 14-15 overall

The Indians enter this game last in the AL Central at 11-17 overall.

Currently, the leading batter for the White Sox is Tyler Flowers, in terms of batting average, at .354, followed by Jose Abreu with a .270 average and a team-high 10 home runs.

With those two, plus Alexei Ramirez, who has 40 hits on the season, the White Sox are poised to have more offense against the Indians this weekend in their three-game series. The problem and question that remain is how will their pitching perform this weekend at Progressive Field?

Here are “5 Bold Predictions” for the weekend.

Apr 29, 2014; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago White Sox first baseman Jose Abreu at bat against the Detroit Tigers at U.S Cellular Field. Mandatory Credit: Jerry Lai-USA TODAY Sports

The White Sox offense will continue to roll

The White Sox offense will keep on putting up the solid numbers they have all season. Chicago is scheduled to face Danny Salazar (0-3, 6.04 ERA), Justin Masterson (0-1, 4.84 ERA) and Jake Kluber (2-3, 4.14 ERA).

Against the White Sox for his career, Salazar is 1-1, with a 4.97 ERA. In his last start against the White Sox on April 12, Masterson has a no decision, with the White Sox gaining five earned runs against him.

Player to Watch Friday: Alexei Ramirez

There is no reason for the White Sox to struggle against the Indians’ pitching this weekend.

The player to watch on Friday against Salazar is Alexei Ramirez, as he holds a .800 batting average against the RHP in five at-bats.

Apr 22, 2014; Detroit, MI, USA; Chicago White Sox relief pitcher Scott Downs (37) pitches during the game against the Detroit Tigers at Comerica Park. Mandatory Credit: Tim Fuller-USA TODAY Sports

Fear the White Sox bullpen

That statement of fearing the White Sox bullpen could go either way, depending on who you are a fan of.

For White Sox fans, there is a fear of failure when this group reaches the mound, but on the other hand, if they have one of their rare “good days,” the Indians could fear the group of relievers.

Matt Lindstrom has just three saves on the season in 11 appearances. His ERA is 3.75 in 12 innings pitched, allowing five earned runs.

Lindstrom has 3.75 ERA in '14

Daniel Webb has his ERA down to 2.87, but Ronald Belisario‘s ERA rests at 6.32, and Scott Downs in 12 appearances has his ERA at 6.00.

But there are also some more positive ERA’s in this bullpen with Jake Petricka at 2.16 ERA (10 games), Zach Putnam (1.80 ERA) and Maikel Cleto (2.89 ERA).

This could go either way, but depending on who you cheer for … be in fear.

Apr 17, 2014; Detroit, MI, USA; Cleveland Indians right fielder David Murphy (7) hits an RBI single in the fourth inning against the Detroit Tigers at Comerica Park. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports

Indians player to watch out for: David Murphy

In his first season with the Indians (26 games), Murphy is batting .282 with 18 RBIs and 22 hits. With the White Sox not having the most consistent pitching in baseball, or even the American League, this could be the player that gives the White Sox some problems.

Murphy has BA of .282

Against Friday’s starter, John Danks, Murphy will bring in a .222 batting average against him in nine career at-bats.

In his past 10 games, Murphy has seven hits and three RBIs, as he’s batting .269 in that span. He’s also walked four times in that time frame with just three strikeouts in the 26 at-bats.

Apr 30, 2014; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago White Sox left fielder Alejandro De Aza (30) can

Series Prediction

If the White Sox win fewer than two games against the Indians this weekend, I’ll be surprised. There is no reason for the White Sox offense not to capitalize on the Indians’ pitching struggles as of late with the three starters they will be facing.

Masterson isn’t pitching like he did last season, and all three of the pitchers the Indians are sending to the mound this weekend have the potential to give up a lot of hits and runs.

But the same can be said about the White Sox visits.

• The Chicago White Sox love making things hard on themselves
• White Sox have seen a power surge since La Russa left
• It would be nice to see the White Sox sweep the Tigers
• The Chicago White Sox should have let TLR go three months ago
• Chicago White Sox: Lance Lynn came up huge when needed

If anything, this series should feature lots of offense.

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