The Tampa Bay Rays will head north to face the Chicago White Sox at Guaranteed Rate Field. This AL matchup will get going at 2:10 p.m. ET and WGN will showcase the game.
Tampa Bay Rays vs. Chicago White Sox Odds
Vegas has listed Chicago (-120) as the narrow favorite over Tampa Bay (+100). The total sits at eight runs and bettors can wager on the over for +100 and the under for -120. Bettors can also wager on the game’s runline with the most recent odds standing at Rays -1.5 runs (-145) and White Sox +1.5 runs (+135).
The Rays are just 1-8 SU and have gone 5-3 against the spread (ATS). They’ve lost 5.5 units for gamblers taking the moneyline this year, but have gained 1.1 units ATS. The White Sox are 3-5 SU and 2-5 ATS. The team has lost 0.5 units for moneyline bettors and 3.8 units ATS.
Chicago games have an over/under record of 3-4 so far in 2018. The Rays have an over/under record of 4-4.
The Rays have lost 4.0 units and are 2-2 ATS when facing a righty starter this season. The over has cashed in two of those games, compared to two that’ve gone under against right-handed starting pitchers. On the other hand, the White Sox have netted 0.5 units and are 1-3 ATS when facing a right-handed starting pitcher. The over has hit in one of those games, as opposed to three which went under the total.
Chris Archer (0-0, 6.55 ERA) will get the nod for the visiting Rays. The right-handed Archer recorded 249 strikeouts across 201 innings last year with only 60 walks while finishing the season 10-12 overall with a 4.07 ERA and a 1.26 WHIP. He made two starts against the White Sox in 2017 and compiled a 0-2 record against them with a 5.14 ERA and 11 strikeouts.
The White Sox are turning to righty Miguel Gonzalez (0-1, 9.00 ERA), who started 27 games last year while finishing the season 8-13 overall with a 4.62 ERA and a 1.42 WHIP.
Chicago’s pitching staff has allowed 5.9 runs per game overall this year as a unit. Its starting pitching staff has a 4.73 ERA, 1.25 WHIP and 5.1 strikeouts per nine innings. The bullpen has a 7.11 ERA, 1.62 WHIP and 9.6 K/9.
The Chicago offense has put up 4.6 runs per contest, including 3.4 per game over its last five. The team has slashed .237/.321/.396 over its last five matchups and is 1-4 SU during that stretch.
Matt Davidson and Tim Anderson have led the White Sox offense so far. Davidson is hitting .250/.400/.714 with seven hits, eight RBIs and nine runs scored, while Anderson’s line is .276/.364/.586 with eight hits, four RBIs, seven runs and five stolen bases.
Compared to his total season slash line of .257/.276/.402, Anderson appeared to take a step back when facing right-handed pitchers at home in 2017, producing .210/.238/.332 across 214 plate appearances.
In the visiting dugout, Tampa Bay’s pitching staff allowed 5.4 runs per game and its starting pitchers own a 6.00 ERA, 1.50 WHIP and 7.25 K/9. The bullpen has logged an ERA of 4.78, along with a WHIP of 1.50.
The Rays offense has slashed .201/.274/.295 on its way to 3.0 runs scored per game this season, including over the team’s last five outings (0-5 SU).
Tampa Bay’s offense has been led by second baseman Daniel Robertson and second baseman Joey Wendle. Robertson is slashing .333/.556/.417 with four hits, zero RBIs and four runs scored, while Wendle is hitting .333/.316/.556 with six hits, two RBIs and two runs scored.
Tampa Bay Rays vs. Chicago White Sox Free MLB Tip
Predictions: SU Winner – Rays, ATS Winner – Rays, O/U – OVER
Notes
Betting Trends
The Rays went 3-3 SU against the White Sox in 2017.
The White Sox have lost five of their last six games SU
The Rays’ bullpen posted 3.10 ERA against the White Sox last year.
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