White Sox at Reds 9/18/20 - MLB Picks & Predictions

The Chicago White Sox open a three-game interleague series on the road Friday against the Cincinnati Reds. The White Sox are 32-17 following a 5-1 loss on Wednesday to the Minnesota Twins. Chicago leads the American League Central by two games over the Twins. The loss to Minnesota snapped a six-game winning streak for the White Sox, but nonetheless Chicago has won 10 of its last 12.

Shortstop Tim Anderson is batting .373 to lead Chicago and has a team-high .410 on-base percentage. First baseman Jose Abreu is leading the White Sox in home runs with 16, RBIs with 49 and hits with 66. Chicago has not yet announced its starting pitcher for Friday's series opener against the Cincinnati Reds.

Cincinnati improved to 25-26 following its 1-0 victory over the Pittsburgh Pirates on Wednesday. The Reds have won five straight and six of the last seven. Cincinnati is tied for second place in the National League Central with the St. Louis Cardinals 5 ½ games behind the first place Chicago Cubs. The Reds are now a part of the playoff picture.

Center fielder Shogo Akiyama is batting .239 to lead Cincinnati and has a team high .354 on-base percentage. Third baseman Eugenio Suarez is leading Cincinnati in home runs with 13 and RBIs with 30, while right fielder Nick Castellanos is the leader in hits with 43. On Friday, Cincinnati will send Tejay Antone to the mound. The right-hander is 0-2 with an ERA of 2.76, 37 Ks and 15 BBs.