New York at Chicago

The Chicago White Sox are a home dog, but have won two in a row and nine of 13 after cashing yesterday as a dog at Houston, 4-1. Now they start a six-game homestand. Chicago is #11 in baseball in team pitching and faces a bad New York offense, #24 in runs scored, #23 in on-base percentage, and #27 in slugging. That's remarkable when you realize the "Bronx Bombers" play half their games in a small, home run happy park. 35-year old C.C. Sabathia has been rocked his last two starts, allowing 15 hits in 11+ innings and 12 runs. New York has a losing road mark, and the Yankees are 2-10 away against a team with a winning record. The White Sox have won four straight series to move two games over .500 and back in the Wild Card hunt. White Sox 1B Jose Abreu, batting .308 in 13 games versus New York, has hit safely in his last six contests overall. Chicago goes with newcomer James Shields, who comes off a win. Shields went 6+ innings, allowed one run against Minnesota, and has allowed just four runs his last 11+ innings, so grab the home dog. Play the Chicago White Sox.