The Chicago White Sox (7-13) play the 2nd contest in a 3-game series against the Tampa Bay Rays (17-3) Saturday. First pitch at Tropicana Field is scheduled for 4:05 p.m. ET (FOX). Let’s analyze BetMGM Sportsbook’s lines around the White Sox vs. Rays odds and make our expert MLB picks and predictions for the best bets.
Season series: Rays lead 1-0; White Sox won the regular-season series 4-2 in 2022.
The Rays picked up a wild 8-7 win over the White Sox Friday, their 3rd consecutive win. Tampa Bay has scored 8 or more runs in 3 in a row, and 4 of the past 5 outings. It leads MLB with 7.05 runs per game this season, a .905 OPS and 45 home runs. The Rays also lead the majors with a 2.80 ERA and are 2nd with a 1.10 team WHIP.
The White Sox have dropped 4 of the past 5 games overall. Their offense hasn’t been the issue, as they’ve averaged 4.5 runs per game across the past 6 games overall. However, the pitching staff has yielded 5 or more runs in 6 of the previous 7 outings.
The Chicago pitching staff has been horrendous to date, ranking 29th in the majors in both ERA (5.61) and WHIP (1.58).
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White Sox at Rays projected starters
RHP Dylan Cease vs. LHP Shane McClanahan
Cease (2-0, 2.01 ERA) makes his 5th start. He has a 1.08 WHIP, 4.8 BB/9 and 11.7 K/9 through 22 1/3 IP.
- Has posted a 1-0 record, 1.59 ERA and .119 opponent batting average (OBA) with 2 BB and 16 K across 11 1/3 IP in 2 road outings
- Went 1-0 with a 0.87 ERA with 13 K and a .121 OBA across 10 1/3 IP in 2 starts vs. Tampa Bay in 2022
McClanahan (4-0, 1.57 ERA) makes his 5th start. He has a 1.13 WHIP, 4.3 BB/9 and 10.6 K/9 through 23 IP.
- Is 2-0 with a 0.82 ERA with 15 K and a .158 OBA in 11 IP across 2 home starts
- Enjoys daytime starts, going 3-0 with a 1.50 ERA and .203 OBA across 3 day outings this season
White Sox at Rays odds
Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 8:06 a.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): White Sox +155 (bet $100 to win $155) | Rays -190 (bet $190 to win $100)
- Run line (RL)/Against the spread (ATS): White Sox +1.5 (-135) | Rays -1.5 (+110)
- Over/Under (O/U): 7 (O: -115 | U: -105)
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White Sox at Rays picks and predictions
Prediction
Rays 3, White Sox 2
Moneyline
The Rays (-190) will cost you nearly 2 times your potential return, and that’s just a little bit over my personal limit for a singular moneyline play. Even if you tossed Tampa Bay into a multi-team parlay, it would suck all of the value from your ticket.
PASS.
Run line/Against the spread
The WHITE SOX +1.5 (-135) aren’t priced out of line if you’d like a little bit of insurance on the visitors.
Chicago covered the run line in Friday’s opener despite not winning, and it is a respectable 5-4 on the run line as an underdog in the past 9 games. The White Sox have their most effective and consistent pitcher going, making them worth the play. McClanahan has been equally effective for Tampa, so expect a close, low-scoring affair.
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Over/Under
UNDER 7 (-105) is a strong play in the dome Saturday.
The Under is 3-1-1 in the past 5 games on the road, despite Friday’s over result. The Under is also 9-3 in the past 12 games against the AL Central for the Rays.
While all of that is well and good, it’s the pitching matchup of Cease and McClanahan which will keep the scores down.
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