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The Tampa Bay Rays (13-13) visit the Chicago White Sox (3-22) Friday for the opener of a 3-game series. First pitch from Guaranteed Rate Field is set for 7:40 p.m. ET (Apple TV+). Let’s analyze BetMGM Sportsbook’s lines around the Rays vs. White Sox odds and make our expert MLB picks and predictions for the best bets.
Season series: First meeting; Rays won 6-1 last season
The Rays snapped a 3-game losing streak and avoided a 3-game sweep by the visiting Detroit Tigers Wednesday with a 7-5 win, covering as slight +101 underdogs. CF Randy Arozarena and 2B Curtis Mead each homered in the win.
The White Sox enter on a 7-game losing streak and have been swept in back-to-back series after falling 6-3 at the Minnesota Twins Thursday, failing to cover as +178 road underdogs. After taking a 2-0 lead into the 6th, Chicago allowed 6 runs in 3 innings, which proved to be fatal. LHP Tanner Banks yielded a run and 3 hits without recording an out to pick up the loss in relief.
Rays at White Sox projected starters
RHP Zach Eflin vs. RHP Chris Flexen
Eflin (1-2, 3.68 ERA) makes his 6th start of 2024. He has a 1.06 WHIP, an MLB-best 0.6 BB/9 and 8.0 K/9 through 29 1/3 innings.
- Rays are 2-3 in Eflin’s 5 starts, scoring 3 runs or fewer in 4 of the 5 games
- Allowed 12 ER and 4 HR in his 5 starts, while striking out 26 and walking just 2
Flexen (0-3, 6.41 ERA) makes his 4th start. He has a 1.42 WHIP, 3.2 BB/9 and 5.0 K/9 through 19 2/3 innings.
- White Sox are 0-5 in Flexen’s starts this season with the righty allowing 3 or more runs in 3 of the 5 games
- Allowed 14 ER and 4 HR in his 5 appearances, while striking out 11 and walking 7
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Rays at White Sox odds
Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 10:54 a.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): Rays -250 (bet $250 to win $100) | White Sox +200 (bet $100 to win $200)
- Run line (RL)/Against the spread (ATS): Rays -1.5 (-140) | White Sox +1.5 (+115)
- Over/Under (O/U): 7.5 (O: -110 | U: -110)
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Rays at White Sox picks and predictions
Prediction
Rays 6, White Sox 4
Moneyline
PASS.
There is minimal value on the Rays (-250) to beat the White Sox (+200), who hold the worst record in the MLB.
Run line/Against the spread
BET RAYS -1.5 (-140).
The White Sox are 1-13 in their last 14 games. Excluding the 1st setback of that stretch, a 7-6 defeat in 10 innings, the Sox lost each by 2 or more runs. They have allowed 6 or more runs in each of their last 6 games and have scored 3 or fewer runs in 10 of their last 13.
Meanwhile, each of the Rays’ last 2 wins have come by 2 or more runs. Overall, 9 of their 13 wins have been by 2 or more runs.
Over/Under
BET OVER 7.5 (-110).
The Rays have hit the Over in 3 of their last 4 games and have scored 3 or more runs in 6 of their last 10. They face a Chicago team that has allowed 6 or more runs in each of their last 7. The White Sox have scored 3 or more runs in 4 of their last 6.
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