The Arizona Diamondbacks are taking a pretty big gamble on Saturday when they trot a rookie out to the mound in the middle of a playoff race. <\/p>\n
Bet On Baseball \u2013 Rangers vs. White Sox Preview & Pick<\/strong> Texas Rangers (72-53 through August 18)<\/strong> A sizzling 6-1 on their road trip through Thursday, the Texas Rangers are quickly distancing themselves in the American League West. Their bats are absolutely sizzling. Michael Young is well on his way to a career year at age 34, batting .342 with 85 RBI. Nelson Cruz and Josh Hamilton are contributing their usual prolific power numbers.<\/p>\n Rookie Alexi Ogando\u2019s overall stats still sparkle but the Rangers\u2019 offensive surge comes at an opportune time because he\u2019s starting to sag. He had a 2.92 ERA at the All-Star break but his mark is 4.54 in six starts since.<\/p>\n Chicago White Sox (61-62 through August 18)<\/strong> It looked like the Chicago White Sox were heating up just in time to contend in the American League Central. But losing two of three in a crucial series with Cleveland this week has them on the ropes again. [dfads params=’groups=10&limit=1&return_javascript=0′]<\/p>\n Someone other than Paul Konerko needs to chip in offensively for the Pale Hose. If not, the Sox will just have to hope John Danks can continue his improved recent play on the mound. Since returning from the DL on July 20, he\u2019s allowed two earned runs or fewer in three of five starts. Danks, however, has beaten Texas just once in seven career outings, going 1-4 with a 4.00 ERA<\/p>\n TEX are 8-1 in their last 9 road games. Ogando is struggling a bit of late, but here\u2019s a telling stat: he has a 7.04 ERA this month…but is unbeaten in three starts. He\u2019s had run support in spades from the outstanding Ranger bats.<\/p>\n Lefthanded swing be damned, Hamilton will be a guy to watch on Saturday. He\u2019s a .455 lifetime hitter against the lefty Danks. So is Elvis Andrus.<\/p>\n Hamilton is feeling it overall against the White Sox this season, batting .417, and should lead the Rangers over them on Saturday.<\/p>\n Factoring in Texas\u2019 hot hitting plus the struggles of pretty much every Chicago hitter not named Konerko, Texas looks like a solid road play.<\/p>\n
\nDate: <\/strong>Saturday, August 20, 2011
\nVenue: <\/strong>U.S. Cellular Field, Chicago, IL
\nBroadcast: <\/strong>FSH, WGN
\nTexas Rangers at Chicago White Sox Betting Lines from Bodog.com<\/strong>
\nMoney Line: Rangers -140<\/strong>
\nOver\/Under: 8<\/strong>
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\nAlexi Ogando (12-5, 3.33)<\/p>\n
\nJohn Danks (5-9, 3.95)<\/p>\nMLB Trends<\/h3>\n
\nTEX are 7-1 in their last 8 overall.
\nOver is 7-2-1 in TEX last 10 Sat. games.
\nCHW are 8-1 in their last 9 Sat. games.
\nUnder is 8-2 in CHW last 10 Sat. games.
\nCHW are 3-10 in their last 13 home games.
\nUnder is 8-2 in the last 10 meetings.<\/p>\nMLB Free pick: <\/h3>\n