The Chicago White Sox (71-51) and Tampa Bay Rays (75-47) play the first game of a three-game series at Tropicana Field Friday, with a 7:10 p.m. ET first pitch. Let’s analyze the lines around the White Sox vs. Rays odds with MLB picks and predictions.
White Sox RHP Lucas Giolito (9-9, 3.83 ERA) makes his 25th start. He has a 1.15 WHIP, 2.7 BB/9 and 10.3 K/9 through 141 IP.
- Strikeout and walk rates are both down from last year.
- He surrendered 3 runs across 6 innings of work against the Rays June 16.
- He allowed 3 or fewer earned runs in 18 of his 24 starts.
Rays RHP Michael Wacha (2-4, 5.91 ERA) makes his 17th start and 22nd appearance of the season. He has a 1.50 WHIP, 2.5 BB/9 and 8.0 K/9 over 85 1/3 IP.
- Owns an 8.04 ERA with 44 hits allowed over 28 innings of work since the All-Star break.
- He is 1-1 with a 4.54 ERA over 41 2/3 IP spanning 10 games at home.
White Sox at Rays odds, lines, picks and prediction
MLB odds courtesy of Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports for a full list. Odds last updated at 5:30 p.m. ET.
- Money line: White Sox -115 (bet $115 to win $100) | Rays -105 (bet $105 to win $100)
- Against the spread/ATS: White Sox -1.5 (+135) | Rays +1.5 (-175)
- Over/Under: 8.5 (O: -107 | U: -115)
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Prediction
Rays 6, White Sox 5
Money line (ML)
Tampa Bay leads the AL East and currently has the best record in the American League, sitting 3.5 games ahead of the American League West-leading Houston Astros.
The White Sox lead the AL Central and are four games behind the Rays overall. Giolito failed to go more than 4 innings in two of his last three starts and during that time period, he is 1-2 with a 5.06 ERA.
The Rays won each of their last five home games.
Lean to the RAYS (-105).
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Run line/Against the spread (ATS)
Chicago’s revamped lineup has been pounding the baseball of late and the White Sox are 11.5 games in front of the division.
However, they’re only 17-16 since the All-Star break, while the Rays are 39-22 on their home turf.
Back TAMPA BAY +1.5 (-175).
Over/Under (O/U)
The White Sox have hit .251/.333/.419 and put up a 109 wRC+ for the season, while averaging 4.97 runs per game which is the seventh-best in MLB.
Chicago trail the Rays’ 5.26 runs per game which is good for second best.
Bet the OVER 8.5 (-107).
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