The Chicago White Sox get set to host the Tampa Bay Rays for the second of a three-game set at Guaranteed Rate Field. It’s time to continue our MLB odds series and make a Rays-White Sox prediction and pick.
Tampa Bay took the series opener by a score of 5-2 on Monday night. The Rays are now 43-24 on the season and are clinging to a three-game lead in the American League East. Chicago is currently 41-25 and holds a solid 4.5-game lead in the American League Central. This battle between two division leaders is set to be a good one.
Here’s how sportsbooks have set the opening Rays-White Sox odds.
MLB Odds: Rays-White Sox Odds
Tampa Bay Rays +1.5 (-197)
Chicago White Sox -1.5 (+172)
Over 8.5 Runs (+105)
Under 8.5 Runs (-125)
Why The Rays Could Cover The Spread
The Tampa Bay Rays are red hot and seem to be back to the form that led them to a World Series appearance last season. They have been getting it done on the road with a record of 24-10 on the year. The Rays are 8-2 over their last 10 games, thanks in large part to their top-five pitching staff. Tampa Bay is known for their pitching, but the offense has taken huge strides this season, too. They average 4.97 runs per game, which is good for sixth in the Majors.
Tampa Bay will turn to left-hander Shane McClanahan for the second game of this series. McClanahan has been slumping lately with back-to-back short outings. He's been falling behind batters early and often and has allowed seven runs on 10 hits and five walks over his last two starts. The southpaw has appeared in just 6.10 innings during the two-game stretch and will need to get back on track for his club against a potent White Sox lineup. He had posted a 3.29 ERA in his six starts prior.
Why The White Sox Could Cover The Spread
The Chicago White Sox have been one of the best teams in baseball and it's thanks in large part to their play at home. The White Sox are currently 25-12 at Guaranteed Rate Field this season. They've been an offensive juggernaut as their .253 team batting average ranks fourth in all of baseball. They average the fifth-most runs at five per game and possess one of the most well-rounded pitching staff's as well. Chicago is 4-1 over their last five games and will look to bounce back and even this series on Tuesday night.
Chicago will turn to left-hander Dallas Keuchel for the second game of this series. Kuechel has been getting it done for the White Sox this season with a 5-1 record and 4.14 ERA. The veteran southpaw is coming off of a win against the Blue Jays that saw him fan a season-high eight batters across six innings of work. Kuechel has been great, but this Rays team has certainly had his number over his career. He is 1-5 with a 4.78 ERA in eight career starts against Tampa Bay.
Final Rays-White Sox Prediction & Pick
This series could very well be a American League Championship Series preview. Tampa Bay and Chicago are two of the best clubs in all of baseball and these matchup's will always be exciting to watch. This second game of the series will go to the Chicago White Sox for a few reasons. Chicago is 16-4 in 20 games against left-handed starters this season and McClanahan has been a bad one of late. The White Sox are also 25-12 at home this season, which makes it difficult to believe that they will drop two straight on their home field. The White Sox have an elite bullpen and as long as Kuechel can get through five, Chicago will be in a great spot.
FINAL RAYS-WHITE SOX PICK: Chicago White Sox ML (-110)
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