Houston Astros vs. Chicago White Sox June 9 Free Pick

By MLB

The 2014 MLB Draft was just one year ago, which brings back happy memories for Carlos Rodon. After going number two just a year ago, Rodon is already up with his big league club and he’s starting to make a difference in the rotation for the Sox. With three straight quality starts under his belt, Rodon goes for his fourth in a matchup of two lefties who could be among the game’s best for years to come.

Free Pick

That other left-hander is, of course, Houston Astros’ ace Dallas Keuchel who might be the American League Cy Young at this point into the season. Keuchel has been spectacular in his third season out of Arkansas, posting a 1.85 ERA along with a WHIP of just 0.92. He’s also been a workhorse, going at least six innings in every start this season, eight three times and the full nine twice. Keuchel’s ability to go deep into games has a lot to do with his tendency to pitch to contact and elicit the weak variety. He’s struck out just 67 in over 87 innings, but also has walked just 22. That said, he could be in for a higher-than-usual strikeout game on Tuesday night in sblChicago after punching out 11 less than two weeks ago when the White Sox visited Houston. Keuchel completed that shutout in 113 pitches, which included those 11 K’s to go along with four hits and no walks. And he won his seventh game of the season. Look for more of the same against a scuffling Chicago lineup.

But Rodon will embrace the challenge of going up against a guy he likely hopes to become. While he has allowed 25 base runners in his last three (quality) starts, they have translated into just three runs. That doesn’t necessarily fill me with confidence, but I think Rodon himself feels good coming into this one. He also pitched in that series down in H-Town and fired 6.1 one-run innings in a game his team won the day before Keuchel’s masterpiece. This one has the look of a pitcher’s duel in the Windy City.

Free Pick: Under 7.5 (-105)

YTD: 5-4-2 +0.36

2014: 45-28-3 +9.02


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