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The Texas Rangers (60-71) and Chicago White Sox (31-101) play the 1st and 2nd games of a 3-game set at Guaranteed Rate Field Wednesday. First pitch in Game 2 of the doubleheader is scheduled for 8:10 p.m. ET. Let’s analyze BetMGM Sportsbook’s lines around the Rangers vs. White Sox odds and make our expert MLB picks and predictions for the best bets.
(Records, trends and stats do not include the 1st game of Wednesday’s doubleheader.)
Season series: Rangers lead 4-0
Tuesday’s series opener was suspended after just 4 pitches in the 1st inning and will resume as Game 1 of Wednesday’s doubleheader at 5:10 p.m. ET.
The Rangers are coming off a 2-1 series loss at the Cleveland Guardians over the weekend. They wrapped up the series with a 4-2 loss as +109 underdogs Sunday with the Under (8) hitting. The reigning World Series champions are in 3rd place in the AL West, 9½ games back of the division-leading Houston Astros. They have a 0.2% chance to make the playoffs, according to FanGraphs.com, and are +20000 (bet $100 to win $20,000) to win the division at BetMGM Sportsbook.
The MLB-worst White Sox were swept in 4 games by the visiting Detroit Tigers. They lost 6-3 as +116 underdogs in the Monday finale as the total (9) pushed. Chicago was outscored 33-13 in the series and has lost 8 of its last 9 games, all by 2 or more runs.
Rangers at White Sox projected starters
RHP Jack Leiter vs. TBD
Leiter (0-1, 16.39 ERA) makes his 4th career start. The rookie has a 2.57 WHIP, 5.8 BB/9 and 6.8 K/9 in 9 1/3 IP.
- Last start: Loss, 1 2/3 IP, 6 ER, 3 H (1 HR), 3 BB, 1 K in 7-4 home defeat vs. Cleveland Guardians May 14
- 2024 road stats: 0-0, 12.91 ERA (7 2/3 IP, 11 ER), 15 H, 3 BB, 6 K in 2 starts
- Has never faced White Sox
- 2024 stats with Triple-A Round Rock: 6-4, 3.51 ERA (77 IP, 30 ER), 1.26 WHIP, 12.9 K/9 in 17 appearances (16 starts)
The White Sox had not yet announced a Game 2 starter, but RHP Chris Flexen (2-12, 5.34 ERA) is expected to make his 26th start and 28th appearance. He has a 1.50 WHIP, 3.7 BB/9 and 6.3 K/9 in 128 IP.
- Last start: No-decision, 6 IP, 2 ER, 5 H, 2 BB, 5 K in 5-2 home setback vs. Tigers Friday
- 2024 home stats: 1-5, 4.26 ERA (76 IP, 36 ER), 1.46 WHIP, 5.9 K/9 in 15 starts
- 2024 vs. Rangers: 0-1, 1 road start (July 24), 4 2/3 IP, 3 ER, 7 H, 2 BB, 3 K in 10-2 defeat
- Career vs. Rangers: 6-1, 3.38 ERA (53 1/3 IP, 20 ER), 1.20 WHIP, 7.3 K/9 in 13 appearances (8 starts)
Who’s going yard? Here’s a breakdown of today’s best home run props with our top picks. Include the BetMGM bonus code SBWIRE to score a $1,500 first-bet offer.
Rangers 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 11:34 a.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): Rangers -175 (bet $175 to win $100) | White Sox +145 (bet $100 to win $145)
- Run line (RL)/Against the spread (ATS): Rangers -1.5 (-110) | White Sox +1.5 (+110)
- Over/Under (O/U): 9 (O: -115 | U: -105)
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Rangers at White Sox picks and predictions
Prediction
Rangers 6, White Sox 5
Moneyline
The RANGERS (-175) are an expensive bet — I rarely recommend MLs at -180 or higher — but they’re facing the least profitable pitcher in MLB this season, according to OddsShark.com. A $100 bettor would be down $1,915 on the year if they were to bet White Sox ML in every Flexen start.
While Leiter has been a liability, allowing 6-plus runs in each start, the Rangers are still 2-1 in his outings, and anything is better than backing Flexen.
BET RANGERS (-175).
Run line/Against the spread
While Texas -1.5 (-110) isn’t a horrible bet, I worry that the Rangers may struggle to win by multiple runs with Leiter taking the mound.
PASS. Bet the ML and/or total instead.
Over/Under
Nine seems a little low considering Leiter has allowed 19 runs in just 9 1/3 career IP and Flexen has a 6.89 ERA (15 2/3 IP, 12 ER) in 4 August starts. I would play this line up to 10 runs, and Over 5 (-110) in the 1st 5 innings is also a decent play for those who want to solely focus on the starting pitchers.
BET OVER 9 (-115).
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