Chicago southpaw Jose Quintana is one of the most consistent starting pitchers in Major League Baseball, posting an ERA under 3.50 over the last three years together with a 14.5% strikeout minus walk rate (38th best ). In 2013, Quintana posted a 3.51 ERA and 3.82 FIP; in 2014, he posted a 3.32 ERA and 2.81 FIP; and in 2015, he posted a 3.36 ERA and 3.18 FIP. The 27-year-old’s SIERA has also been remarkably consistent over the past three years: 3.85, 3.50 and 3.62.
Quintana also finished the 2015 campaign in excellent form, going 2-0 with a 1.50 ERA, 0.97 WHIP and a 4.1 strikeout-to-walk ratio in five starts in September. The talented left-hander is coming off a solid start in his season-opener, limiting the Athletics to two runs over 5 2/3-innings of work (7/0 K/BB). Quintana is also 5-1 with a 2.80 ERA and 1.18 WHIP in twelve career starts against the Indians, including limiting Cleveland to just two earned runs in 22 innings pitched last season (3 starts, 22 IP, 18 H, 18 K, 6BB, 0.82 ERA).
Quintana’s counterpart, Josh Tomlin, possesses elite command and control as evidenced by his 3% walk rate over the last two years. However, the right-hander gives up a lot of fly balls and his 15% home run per fly ball rate since 2013 is the fourth highest in baseball over that span. After being named Cleveland’s fifth starter to open the season, Tomlin has not pitched since March 29 due to a series of weather-related postponements.
From a technical standpoint, Cleveland is a money-burning 19-33 (-18.9 units) in the month of April over the last three seasons and 33-44 (-20.1 units) versus division foes over the last two seasons, while the home team is 11-4 in home plate umpire Tony Randazzo’s last fifteen games behind the plate (9-4 L/13 games involving Chicago).
Finally, entering Saturday’s game, Chicago’s bullpen owned a 2.03 ERA and 1.05 WHIP over 13.3 inning of work (7 H, 14 K). Take the White Sox behind one of the most reliable starting pitchers in Major League Baseball and invest with confidence.
Oskeim Sports’ Free Major League Baseball Sports Pick: Chicago White Sox (-122)