The Boston Red Sox (80-63) meet the Chicago White Sox (81-60) Saturday for the second game of a three-game series at Guaranteed Rate Field. First pitch is scheduled for 7:10 p.m. ET. Let’s analyze the lines around the Red Sox vs. White Sox odds with MLB picks and predictions.
Chicago won the series opener Friday 4-3 as White Sox starting LHP Carlos Rodon had 5 IP with 1 ER, 3 H, 0 BB and 7 K and the Red Sox were unable to climb out of the 4-0 hole they were in after the fourth inning.
Season series: White Sox lead 3-2.
RHP Connor Seabold is projected to start in his first major-league debut for the Red Sox. Seabold is 2-3 with a 3.61 ERA (47 1/3 IP, 19 ER), 1.06 WHIP, 3.0 BB/9 and 10.6 K/9 over 10 starts in the minors this season for two Boston affiliates.
RHP Dylan Cease is Chicago’s projected starter. Cease is 11-7 with a 3.87 ERA (148 2/3 IP, 64 ER), 1.22 WHIP, 3.6 BB/9 and 11.9 K/9 in 28 starts.
- Last outing: Loss, 6-0, with 5 IP, 3 ER, 4 H, 3 BB and 9 K Sunday at the Kansas City Royals.
- Cease earned a no-decision in an April 17 start in Boston with a stat line of 4 2/3 IP, 2 ER, 6H, 3 BB and 6 K in a 7-4 loss.
- vs. Red Sox on the current roster: 7.01 FIP with a .417 batting average, .451 wOBA, .604 expected slugging percentage, 19.2 K% and 87.5 mph exit velocity in 26 plate appearances.
Red Sox at White Sox odds, lines, picks and prediction
MLB odds provided by Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports for a full list. Odds last updated at 12:41 p.m. ET.
- Money line: Red Sox +155 (bet $100 to win $155) | White Sox -190 (bet $190 to win $100)
- Against the spread/ATS: Red Sox +1.5 (-135) | White Sox -1.5 (+110)
- Over/Under: 9.5 (O: -105 | U: -120)
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Prediction
White Sox 7, Red Sox 3
Money line (ML)
“LEAN” to the WHITE SOX (-190) because they have an edge in starting and relief pitching and hitting. Albeit Chicago’s hitting edge is real slight but should get a little boost since the White Sox are facing a rookie in his MLB debut.
Chicago is 22 games above .500 as a home favorite and Boston is 21-22 as a road underdog. However, the White Sox are just 24-28 overall against winning teams and Cease’s pitching peripherals vs. the Red Sox are worrisome.
If I’m betting Chicago’s money line, I’m risking 1 unit rather than betting 1 unit. If your standard wager is $100, put that on WHITE SOX (-190) to earn a $52 profit.
Another way to get down on Chicago’s money line is to add it as a parlay leg with the Milwaukee Brewers’ money line.
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Run line/Against the spread (ATS)
Slight “LEAN” to the WHITE SOX -1.5 (+110) for a tiny wager, if at all, because I much prefer the plays discussed above. But both sides of the market are betting Chicago’s run line, which has caused oddsmakers to lessen the payout.
Plus, the White Sox’s bullpen ranks atop most advanced pitching categories following the All-Star Game and Boston’s bullpen has been a below-average unit over that same time span.
Another hesitation I have with Chicago’s run line is Boston’s 29-14 ATS record as a road underdog and that includes the series opener’s outcome.
Over/Under (O/U)
“LEAN” to the OVER 9.5 (-105) for a half unit because both sides of the market are barreling into the Over, which is why sportsbooks have the total up from the flat-9 opener.
More importantly, both lineups can mash and there are reasons to like how each stacks up against their respective opposing starter.
Boston is 21-22 O/U as a road underdog and Chicago is 26-33-3 O/U as a home favorite.
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