On Thursday afternoon, two struggling teams from the American League will conclude their three-game series in Chicago, featuring the Los Angeles Angels and the Chicago White Sox. The Angels are set to finish last in the AL West Division, while the White Sox are closing out a historic season marked by unprecedented losses. The pitching duel will see Angels’ left-hander Tyler Anderson (10-14, 3.70) square off against White Sox southpaw Garrett Crochet (6-12, 3.68). Fans can anticipate the first pitch at 2:10 pm EST.
Angels Rely on Anderson’s Experience
The Los Angeles Angels’ 2024 season has been largely forgettable, with only four games left to play. As they prepare for an uncertain offseason, the team aims to build around their talented but often-injured star, Mike Trout, for the next season. Entering this series, the Angels had lost three out of four games, struggling in both opening matchups against the White Sox, losing 3-2 and 4-3 in extra innings.
In the series finale, the Angels turn to Tyler Anderson. Despite the overall team struggles, Anderson has enjoyed one of the best seasons of his career. With 10 wins and 14 losses across 30 starts, he has recorded 12 quality starts heading into his final outing. His season statistics include a 3.70 ERA and a 1.28 WHIP, with 154 hits allowed over 175 innings pitched. He is just three innings shy of his career-high and is poised to finish with his second-most victories and third-best ERA. Additionally, he has tallied 70 walks and 140 strikeouts in what has been a productive year for him.
Key Injuries: RP Jose Marte, SP Jose Soriano, and CF Bryce Teodosio are currently sidelined.
White Sox to Showcase Crochet’s Potential
The 2024 season has been a monumental disappointment for the Chicago White Sox. They are on track to set the record for the most losses in a single season in modern MLB history. As the team heads into the offseason, they face a critical evaluation of their roster to identify areas needing improvement. Despite their challenges, the White Sox have not yet succumbed to the idea of breaking the loss record, currently standing at 120 after victories in the first two games of this series, winning 3-2 and then 4-3 in a thrilling 10-inning game.
In a bright spot for the White Sox, Garrett Crochet takes the mound for the series finale. Crochet’s strong performance in the first half of the season showcased his potential as a future ace. However, he has been managed cautiously, not pitching more than four innings in his last 14 starts. With a 3.68 ERA and a 1.06 WHIP, he has allowed 119 hits in 142 innings, striking out a team-leading 203 batters with 32 walks. All of these figures represent career highs in his first full season as a starting pitcher.
Key Injuries: 2B Brooks Baldwin, RP Matt Foster, RP Steven Wilson, SP Ky Bush, and SP Drew Thorpe are currently unavailable.
Best Bets for Los Angeles Angels vs. Chicago White Sox
Despite both teams finishing in the lower tier of their divisions, there is a compelling case to support Anderson in this matchup. He is motivated to conclude a solid season, aiming to surpass his career-high in innings pitched while securing his 11th win, which would be the second-most of his career. In contrast, Crochet has struggled to exceed four innings in his recent outings, and once he exits, the White Sox will turn to their struggling bullpen. It’s important to note that the White Sox have lost each of Crochet’s last five starts, often despite him leaving the game with the lead. The Angels may not be a powerhouse offensively, but they possess enough talent to capitalize against the White Sox’s bullpen, especially in the later innings.
