With all the early rain-out, my card does look so extensive, but the Rangers and Cubs both won their 1st 5s and the Cubs are leading in the 7th.
Here are thought on the late game.
CHI WS @ LAD
The 28-56 White Sox, who currently reside in the AL Central basement, 24.5 games behind the Tigers, now head to the West coast to open a series at the 53-32 Dodgers, after taking two of three from the visiting Giants. The Dodger, who now lead the NL West by 7.5 games over the Padres, return home after taking two of three from the Royals in KC.
Starting Pitchers
|
10:10
|
SP
|
GS +
|
GS -
|
WHIP
|
ERA
|
xERA
|
FIP
|
xFIP
|
SIERA
|
wOBA
|
xwOBA
|
K%
|
BB%
|
|
CHI WS
|
Smith - R
|
(9/15)
|
(6/15)
|
1.27
|
3.38
|
4.09
|
3.78
|
4.43
|
4.37
|
0.299
|
0.327
|
21.1%
|
9.9%
|
|
LAD
|
Yamamoto - R
|
(11/16)
|
(5/16)
|
1.05
|
2.61
|
3.04
|
3.24
|
3.07
|
3.26
|
0.266
|
0.285
|
28.4%
|
8.7%
|
Edge – LAD
Bullpens
|
Team
|
W
|
L
|
SV
|
BS
|
HLD
|
R/IP
|
Rk
|
WHIP
|
Rk
|
ERA
|
Rk
|
AVG
|
Rk
|
LOB%
|
Rk
|
K%
|
Rk
|
BB%
|
Rk
|
|
CHI WS
|
14
|
26
|
10
|
14
|
38
|
0.50
|
17
|
1.40
|
25
|
4.15
|
19
|
0.247
|
20
|
73.6%
|
7
|
20.3%
|
24
|
10.1%
|
24
|
|
LAD
|
30
|
13
|
28
|
10
|
71
|
0.51
|
19
|
1.32
|
19
|
4.24
|
20
|
0.250
|
22
|
72.2%
|
14
|
23.9%
|
9
|
8.3%
|
5
|
Edge – None
Offenses
|
Team
|
RPG
|
Rk
|
wOBA
|
Rk
|
wRC+
|
Rk
|
ISO
|
Rk
|
AVG
|
Rk
|
BABIP
|
Rk
|
BB%
|
Rk
|
BsR
|
Rk
|
K%
|
Rk
|
|
CHW
|
3.42
|
29
|
0.284
|
30
|
80
|
27
|
0.124
|
28
|
0.220
|
30
|
0.274
|
27
|
9.0%
|
8
|
-1.3
|
19
|
23.9%
|
26
|
|
LAD
|
5.61
|
1
|
0.347
|
1
|
124
|
1
|
0.198
|
1
|
0.265
|
1
|
0.301
|
6
|
9.6%
|
2
|
2.1
|
8
|
21.0%
|
10
|
Edge- LAD, big
Conclusion: There’s no question as to which team is better in this one. The Dodgers are and it’snot at all close. The Dodgers are the much better hitting team, averaging more than 2 runs more than the White Sox, with a whopping 63-point better wOBA and 44-point better wRC+. These two bullpens are both fairly close, but the starting pitching matchup points clearly to the Dodgers.
Shane Smitt has pitched surprisingly well, especially consider haw bad the white Sox truly are. He has now started 15 games with 9 grading as above average and 6 grading as below. Hi stat profile features a decent 1.27 WHIP, and solid 3.38 ERA, as well as a 68/32 K/BB ratio over 74.2 inniings, but his ERA metrics are all considerably higher than that ERA.
Smith was beaten by the Diamondbacks in Monday's game, giving up 5 runs on 4 hits and 2 walks over just 2 innings.
It was the second straight start in which Smith had given up that many runs and that’s concerning.
Yoshinubu Yamamoto has now delivered more than twice as many above as below average starts (11/5)featuring an excellent stat profile with a fine 1.05 WHIP and 2.51 ERAas well as a 101/31 K/BB ratio over 89.2 innings.
Yamamoto beat the Rockies on Wednesday, giving up just 1 hit and 1 walk while striking out 6 over 5 scoreless innings. He almost certainly would have gone longer if not for a rain delay that lasted for about an hour and a half. The win was his first since May 26, a span of five starts.
The Dodgers are the better team and Yamamoto is the better starting pitcher.
Pick – LAD 1st 5 and full game MLs