Highlights
Preview
CLEVELAND (Interstat) — The Chicago White Sox and Cleveland Guardians will continue their holiday weekend series Saturday with a Fourth of July matinee at Progressive Field. First pitch is set for 4:10 p.m. EDT under cloudy skies and 88-degree heat. The White Sox (45-41) sit one game behind the Guardians (46-42) in the American League Central standings, adding extra weight to the rivalry matchup. Chicago has dropped three of its last four games, including a 6-5 loss to Cleveland on Thursday in which second baseman Chase Meidroth homered and drove in two runs. The Guardians have won four of five, with shortstop Brayan Rocchio also going deep and collecting three RBIs in that same game. Meidroth has been streaky over his past 10 games. He went 4 for 5 with two RBIs in a 22-1 rout of Kansas City on June 26, but has since managed only two hits in his last four contests. In 10 games against the Guardians this season, he is batting .250 with two home runs. Rocchio has been more consistent, hitting safely in seven of his last nine games. He is batting .357 in his last four meetings with Chicago and delivered the game-winning hit in the series opener Thursday. The game features contrasting recent trends. The Guardians have won four of the last five head-to-head meetings, including the last two in Cleveland. The White Sox are 6-4 in their last 10 overall. According to Interstat’s game simulator, the White Sox are projected to win 6-5. The Guardians opened as -1.5 favorites on the run line, with an over/under of 7.5 total runs. Chicago will look to Meidroth to spark an offense that scored just once in Wednesday’s 6-1 loss at Baltimore before rebounding with five runs Thursday. Cleveland will counter with Rocchio, who is 5 for 15 with two homers and six RBIs against Chicago pitching this season. The White Sox continue their road trip Sunday with the series finale before returning home to host Boston. The Guardians will travel to Minnesota after the holiday weekend for a three-game set against the Twins.

