On Tuesday evening, two struggling teams will face off in a matchup that holds significance for both. The Texas Rangers, the reigning champions with a record of 60-71 (26-40 on the road), will take on the Chicago White Sox, who have a dismal record of 31-100 (18-47 at home). After sweeping Chicago in Arlington, the Rangers return to the Windy City for a three-game series, kicking off at 8:10 p.m. EST at Guaranteed Rate Field. Will Texas extend their winning streak to nine games against the Southsiders, or will Chicago put an end to the Rangers’ dominance?
For insightful MLB picks, check out our MLB Predictions.
Rangers’ Title Defense in Jeopardy
The Texas Rangers are finding their first championship defense challenging, as it seems unlikely they will make a return to the postseason. This season has been plagued by an underperforming offense and a pitching staff that has struggled to stay healthy. As they approach Tuesday’s game, they will rely on Andrew Heaney, a left-handed pitcher with a 4.72 ERA in the second half of the season. Heaney’s recent road performances have been shaky, allowing 14 runs (13 earned) in just 14 innings. The Rangers’ bullpen, ranked 20th in WAR and 25th in ERA, will also need to step up against the White Sox.
At the plate, the Rangers are managing only 4.18 runs per game, ranking 22nd in the league, a stark contrast to their championship-caliber lineup from the previous season. While the team ranks ninth in strikeout rate and 13th in walk rate, their batting average sits at 20th, and they struggle with on-base percentage and slugging. With 18th in homers and 23rd in stolen bases, the Rangers will need to find a way to ignite their offense against a struggling White Sox pitching staff.
White Sox Struggle for Success
The Chicago White Sox have reached a troubling milestone, becoming the fastest team to 100 losses by games played (131) since the 1916 Philadelphia Athletics. Their offense is averaging a mere 3.11 runs per game, placing them 30th in the league. With a batting average and on-base percentage that ranks at the bottom of the MLB, scoring has become a significant challenge. The team also finds itself last in slugging percentage and near the bottom in other offensive categories.
The pitching staff has also faltered, allowing fewer runs only than a team playing in a high-altitude environment. The rotation has been affected by trades, and Garrett Crochet, once expected to be dealt, remains with the team. After the All-Star break, Crochet has struggled with a 6.75 ERA, despite a strong performance against Texas earlier this season. The White Sox’s relievers sit near the bottom in multiple pitching metrics, raising questions about their ability to contain the Rangers’ lineup.
Betting Insights for Rangers vs. White Sox
Since August 10, every White Sox loss has been by multiple runs, reflecting their struggles this season. Given their poor performance and low winning percentage, it seems likely that Texas will cover the run line in this matchup.
With Crochet’s recent struggles and the White Sox’s lackluster offense, Heaney and the Rangers may find some breathing room. The late-game performance of Chicago’s bullpen has not been reliable, making the Rangers a strong candidate to take the game by a significant margin.
