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Two MLB teams with disappointing seasons for their fans, who still do not feel all that improved, meet in one of the spring training MLB games on Thursday.
The Chicago White Sox had been good enough in the MLB standings to make two straight playoff appearances but fell short a season ago. The Colorado Rockies are in a more difficult place in one of the most top-heavy divisions and are an organization that has mismanaged its assets.
But the MLB schedule has reset, and spring training and the World Baseball Classic give way into a new season. Here are our White Sox vs Rockies predictions.
Chicago White Sox vs. Colorado Rockies Odds
Those making MLB picks will find the White Sox are -105 on the moneyline while the Rockies are -115.
This spring, the White Sox (2-3) are 2-3 on over/unders, while the Rockies (3-2) are 1-2. There is not enough data to determine White Sox vs Rockies predictions yet, so let’s dive into the specifics a little closer.
Chicago White Sox vs. Colorado Rockies Matchup Information
Chicago White Sox vs Colorado Rockies
Location of the Game: Salt River Fields at Talking Stick.
Date and Time: Thursday, March 2, 2023, 3:10 PM ET.
How to Watch: https://livestreamsports.co/
Chicago White Sox vs. Colorado Rockies Betting Preview
Chicago White Sox
A White Sox game is going to look different this year after they let star first baseman and former Most Valuable Player Jose Abreu walk in free agency, and closer Liam Hendriks was diagnosed with cancer. But the team may not be far off from its playoff level of play.
The White Sox were 19th in the league in scoring at 4.23 runs per game last season and were fifth in batting average. They needed to increase the power, and having a healthy Luis Robert and Eloy Jimenez could aid that, and perhaps Andrew Benintendi – who signed the richest contract in organization history as a free agent – can find his early MLB player stats form from slugging at least 15 home runs in three of his first six seasons.
Chicago White Sox Pitching Staff Looks Strong Despite Losing Hendriks
The pitching staff has also been excellent, with 67 quality starts and a bullpen which was 29-22 with 48 saves in 71 appearances. While Hendriks is certainly a loss, Michael Kopech should be healthier, and hard-throwing lefty Garrett Crochet is due back in May from an elbow injury, the MLB injury report shows. The staff also added Michael Clevinger to fill out the rotation after Johnny Cueto left.
Starting Thursday’s game will be veteran Lance Lynn. He allowed a run across three innings in his spring training debut. He is typically someone who works quickly, so the pitch clock works to his benefit.
The jokes about being in the best shape of one’s life at spring training are largely true. The White Sox have a new staff led by Pedro Grifol, and there are reports of a renewed energy within the club.
Former hitting champion Tim Anderson sought work at Driveline to help rebuild his groin strength in his swing, Andrew Vaughn is working on his timing to not roll over ground balls, and young sluggers are working on taking pitches to tone back their aggressiveness.
It will be an interesting season for the White Sox.
Colorado Rockies
Meanwhile, the Rockies are turning to Noah Davis, who allowed a run in 1.2 innings and got the win in his previous spring training outing. The Rockies, who were 68-94 and in the basement of the NL West, have a young core returning that hopes to climb out of the basement.
The organization called up top prospect Michael Toglia who will have to find a home with C.J. Cron likely at first base and Charlie Blackmon at designated hitter. That is with a veteran outfield of Kris Bryant, Yonathan Daza, and Randal Grichuk.
The infield is looking fairly young with shortstop Ezequiel Tovar, who turns 22 in August, Brendan Rodgers at second base, and Toglia as a bench bat. Ryan McMahon returns after slugging 20 home runs for the third time in four years, Rockies stats show.
Colorado Rockies’ Pitching Woes Continue Despite Strong Offense
Offense was not much of the issue for the Rockies as they were slightly above average in scoring 4.31 runs per game. But the pitching staff allowed a league-worst 5.39 runs per game, and there were seemingly no improvements to the rotation or the bullpen. Chad Kuhl is gone from the rotation, but seemingly everyone else is back, and the addition of lefty reliever Brent Suter does not add much.
It will likely be another frustrating season for Rockies fans, but the spring allows them to get a look at their prospects and see if there are pieces in the pipeline to build around and help turn the thing around, such as prospect Zac Veen.
Chicago White Sox vs. Colorado Rockies Betting Picks
A healthy Bryant will help the Rockies, and he has already homered twice this spring. Their hope is that Rodgers (shoulder, late March) and Grichuk (hernia, late March) are not out long to delay what is already a bleak outlook for the organization.
Even if the two teams use their lineups for half the game, the White Sox have more talent on the field.
Our White Sox vs Rockies predictions are to take the White Sox -105.
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