The Chicago White Sox and Minnesota Twins will conclude their three-game series at Guaranteed Rate Field on Thursday afternoon. It’s time to continue our MLB odds series and make a Twins – White Sox prediction and pick.
Chicago will look to complete the sweep as they have taken the first two games of this series by a comfortable margin. After pulling off a one-run victory in the opener, the White Sox exploded in a 13-3 victory in the second game on Wednesday night. These teams are trending in complete opposite directions, which has been very apparent through the first two games in Chicago.
Here’s how sportsbooks have set the opening Twins-White Sox odds.
MLB Odds: Twins-White Sox Odds
Minnesota Twins +1.5 (-160)
Chicago White Sox -1.5 (+140)
Over 8.5 Runs (-106)
Under 8.5 Runs (-114)
Why The Twins Could Cover The Spread
The Minnesota Twins came into this season with playoff aspirations and are certainly disappointed with their level of play through the first three months of the season. The Twins are now 33-45 on the season, which puts them 13.5 games back of the Chicago White Sox in the AL Central. Minnesota has lost four of their last six games and eight of their last nine games against the White Sox coming in. The injury list continues to grow and their chances of making the postseason continue to fade.
Despite all of their struggles, the Twins have actually been one of the better offensive clubs in the league this season. Minnesota is currently averaging 4.65 runs per game, which is good for 11th in the Majors. Their offensive numbers are actually better on the road and they have plated 4.5 runs per game through the first two of this series. Minnesota has scored at least six runs in five of their last seven games to date.
Minnesota will turn to right-hander Jose Berrios as they look to salvage the series. Berrios has been one of the lone bright spots in this rotation with a 7-2 record and 3.41 ERA through 15 starts. The hard-throwing right-hander is coming off of a one-run outing through 6.1 innings of work against the Indians. Berrios has tossed three-straight quality outings and has pitched into the sixth inning in each of his last six starts.
Why The White Sox Could Cover The Spread
The Chicago White Sox have been one of the best teams in the league this season and although they've struggled lately, they remain four games ahead of the Indians in the AL Central. Chicago went on a five-game losing streak last week, which was their worst stretch of the season. They have bounced back with three-straight wins and a chance to sweep a division rival on Thursday afternoon.
Chicago is one of the most complete teams in the Majors. They have scored 4.95 runs per game this season, which is the sixth-best mark in baseball. They get on base a ton and come up with timely hits regularly. Chicago put up 13 runs against the Twins on Wednesday and have now plated 20 runs through the first two games of this series. They've scored at least seven runs in each of their last three games and seem to be clicking on all cylinders at the plate.
Chicago will hand the ball to left-hander Carlos Rodon as they look to complete the sweep. Rodon is having a career year with a 6-3 record and 2.06 ERA through 13 starts. The surging southpaw is coming off of one of his worst starts of the season, though. Rodon gave up three runs on four walks through five innings against the Mariners. The White Sox ace will look to bounce back in a big way on Thursday afternoon.
Final Twins – White Sox Prediction & Pick
Although I have no doubt that the Chicago White Sox are the better team in this matchup, I like Minnesota's chances of having a solid day. Jose Berrios has been a stud on the bump and his team is 12-2 in his 17 career starts against the White Sox. Carlos Rodon struggled with his control in his last start and won't have a good outing against a solid hitting club if he has the same issues. Give me Minnesota with the run in the finale.
FINAL PICK: Minnesota Twins +1.5 (-160)
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