If you glance at Framber Valdez raw strikeout numbers it may appear he is having a down season but if we peak under the hood, he has run very cold with strikeouts and is a major positive regression candidate. Framber's 10.7% SwStr% is right in line with his career average of 10.8%, however his 18.6% K Rate is significantly down compared to his career average of 23.0%. This is a very strong indicator that Valdez is both running cold and due for an uptick in strikeouts. He gets a fantastic matchup against a White Sox team that possesses a top 5 K Rate against opposing lefties both over the season and in the month of June. Couldn't ask for a better spot for Framber.

Yeah he looked splendid vs the M's last time out, but would not be surprised if young Jonathan Canning is only good for 3 innings or so in this one, which is not out of the question for him. He hasn't exactly faced elite lineups yet is carrying an ERA around 5. Framber Valdez hasn't been great but this is a really depleted Chicago lineup. Pale Hose 2-9 ATS in their last 11 at home.