In Oakland, the White Sox and Athletics will play the rubber match of their three-game series on Thursday afternoon. It’s time to continue our MLB odds series and make a White Sox-Athletics prediction and pick.
While the White Sox have a strong hold of the AL Central division lead, the Athletics remain in the thick of the playoff race as well. The A's are just three games behind the Yankees for the final AL Wild Card spot, although Oakland does have two other teams to jump over as well. This likely is not a playoff preview, given the White Sox will probably claim the AL's #2 or #3 seed, but this matchup still brings together two of the best offenses in baseball.
Here’s how the bookmakers have set the lines for Wednesday's game.
MLB Odds: White Sox-Athletics Odds
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Chicago White Sox (+128)
Oakland Athletics (-138)
Over 8 runs (-120)
Under 8 runs (+100)
Why The White Sox Could Win
Reynaldo Lopez has pitched as both a starter and reliever this season, and his 2.08 season ERA since his first 2021 appearance on July 16 tells the story of his successful season on the hill. On August 17 against these A's, Lopez pitched five shutout innings, allowing just one hit and two walks. In earning the win, Lopez also struck out four Oakland batters. Out of relief, threw five shutout frames against the Cubs later in August, tacking on 7 K's. The White Sox offense ranks fifth in the AL with 693 runs, and the top of the lineup which includes Robert, Moncada, Abreu, and Jimenez is among the best in the entire league. If Lopez can find the success he had against Oakland earlier this season, the usually-strong White Sox lineup should bounce back from last night's game, when they only scored one run.
Why The Athletics Could Win
After a difficult August for Sean Manaea (9.90 ERA), the A's starting pitcher bounced back in his last start, allowing just five hits and two runs across seven innings. His nine strikeouts against the Blue Jays were also his most in a game since July 28. For his career, Manaea has faced the White Sox just once. However, it was in 2018 that he threw seven innings against the White Sox, allowing just five hits and one win, which was good enough to earn the victory. It is a VERY small sample size, but that 1.29 career ERA against Chicago's AL team is a promising stat heading into this afternoon. Keep in mind that this is the Athletics last game above an over .500 ballclub until September 20. Following today, Oakland will face Texas at home, and then travel to Kansas City and Anaheim. Getting back on a winning streak headed into this easier stretch of this season would be huge for momentum purposes as the A's aim to make one last playoff push.
Final White Sox-Athletics Prediction & Pick
Backed by another strong performance from Lopez against the A's, the White Sox win the rubber match, 5-1. Lopez pitches five innings, allows no more than one run, and Jose Abreu connects for a home run to support his pitcher. The A's losing ways continue, as the team continues to struggle in early September.
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