The Chicago White Sox (70-50) host the Oakland Athletics (68-52) for the third game of their four-game series at Guaranteed Rate Field Thursday. First pitch is scheduled for 8:10 p.m. ET. Let’s analyze the lines around the Athletics vs. White Sox odds with MLB picks and predictions.
Chicago won the first two games of the series by a combined score of 14-2 including the White Sox’s 9-0 victory Tuesday. Athletics starting RHP Chris Bassitt exited in the 2nd inning Tuesday after taking a line drive off the face and will need to undergo surgery, although he has been released from hospital.
Season series: White Sox lead 2-0.
LHP Cole Irvin makes his 24th start for the A’s. Irvin is 8-11 with a 3.52 ERA (135 1/3 IP, 53 ER), 1.18 WHIP, 1.7 BB/9 and 6.4 K/9 this year.
- Last outing: Loss, 8-6, with 5 IP, 3 ER, 8 H, 1 BB and 2 K at the Texas Rangers Friday.
- 2021 road splits: 4-6 with a 3.30 ERA (62 2/3 IP, 23 ER), 1.18 WHIP and 4.3 K/BB in 11 starts.
RHP Lance Lynn gets the start for the White Sox. Lynn is 10-3 with a 2.26 ERA (119 2/3 IP, 30 ER), 1.05 WHIP, 2.8 BB/9 and 10.3 K/9 in 21 starts.
- Last outing: No-decision with 5 IP, 4 ER, 4 H, 2 BB and 7 K in Chicago’s 9-8 victory over the New York Yankees Thursday.
- 2021 home splits: 6-2 with a 2.13 ERA (76 IP, 18 ER), 0.92 WHIP and 4.6 K/BB in 13 starts.
- vs. A’s on the current roster (181 PA): 4.66 FIP with a .286 batting average, .382 wOBA, .415 expected slugging percentage, 22.7 K% and 89.4 mph exit velocity.
Athletics at White Sox odds, lines, picks and prediction
MLB odds courtesy of Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports for a full list. Odds last updated at 3:50 p.m. ET.
- Money line: Athletics +155 (bet $100 to win $155) | White Sox -190 (bet $190 to win $100)
- Against the spread/ATS: Athletics +1.5 (-140) | White Sox -1.5 (+111)
- Over/Under: 8.5 (O: -125 | U: +100)
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Prediction
White Sox 6, Athletics 1
Money line (ML)
Chicago’s advantage in the three most important phases of baseball (starting and bullpen pitching and hitting) are baked into the White Sox (-190) price, which I don’t see much value in betting outright.
Since -180 money line favorites have consistently cashed for backers in the second half of the year in the last five seasons, I’ll slightly “LEAN” to the WHITE SOX (-190) but would rather pair it up with another favorite in a money line parlay.
Furthermore, Chicago’s lineup ranks in the top 8 against left-handed pitching in wRC+ and wOBA. Also, the White Sox have the fourth-best winning percentage at home and are 21-12 vs. lefty starters this season.
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Run line/Against the spread (ATS)
PASS because Oakland is 17-7 ATS as a road underdog hence the A’s +1.5 being -140 despite being a pretty sizeable underdog on the money line.
Given the options, I’d prefer to just stick with Chicago in a money line parlay or just put a tiny wager on the White Sox to win outright.
Over/Under (O/U)
BET the UNDER 8.5 (+100) for 1 unit because we are getting “sharp line movement” towards the Under as Athletics-White Sox opened with a 9-run total but has been steamed down to the current number.
Also, these teams have a combined 16-26 O/U record when these starters take the mound and each team plays more to the Under in their location-based situational trends.
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