Chicago White Sox at Tampa Bay Rays odds, picks and predictions
The Chicago White Sox (8-26) and Tampa Bay Rays (17-18) open a 3-game series Monday at Tropicana Field. First pitch is scheduled for 6:50 p.m. ET (FS1). 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: White Sox lead 3-0
The White Sox took 2 of 3 games on the road against the St. Louis Cardinals, outscoring the NL side by an 11-9 margin. The Under cashed at a 2-1 pace.
Chicago posted a 3-game sweep of Tampa Bay from April 26-28 at U.S. Cellular Field, with the Over going 2-1 in the series. The White Sox have won 2 in a row on the road after losing 9 in a row away from home from April 10-May 3.
The Rays posted a 3-game sweep against the New York Mets over the weekend under the dome, outscoring the Mets 20-15, with the Over going 2-1. Tampa Bay has won 4 in a row on its home field.
White Sox at Rays projected starters
RHP Mike Soroka vs. RHP Tyler Alexander
Soroka (0-3, 6.48 ERA) makes his 8th start. He has a 1.62 WHIP, 5.1 BB/9 and 4.3 K/9 in 33 1/3 IP.
- Last start: No-decision, 6 2/3 IP, 0 ER, 2 H, 1 BB, 14 K in 2-1 home loss vs. St. Louis Cardinals last Tuesday
- 2024 road splits: 0-2, 6.05 ERA, 19 1/3 IP, 13 ER, 20 H (5 HR), 8 BB, 9 K with .267 opponents' batting average (OBA) and 1.45 WHIP in 4 starts
Alexander (1-1, 5.02 ERA) makes his 4th start and 7th appearance. He has a 1.40 WHIP, 2.8 BB/9 and 7.2 K/9 in 28 2/3 IP.
- Last start: Loss, 4 IP, 3 ER, 6 H, 2 BB, 3 K in 8-2 road win vs. Milwaukee Brewers last Tuesday
- 2024 home splits: 1-0, 5.40 ERA, 15 IP, 9 ER, 15 H (3 HR), 4 BB, 12 K with .254 OBA and 1.27 WHIP in 0 starts and 3 relief appearances
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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 10:31 a.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): White Sox +150 (bet $100 to win $150) | Rays -185 (bet $185 to win $100)
- Run line (RL)/Against the spread (ATS): White Sox +1.5 (-140) | Rays -1.5 (+115)
- Over/Under (O/U): 7.5 (O: +100 | U: -120)
White Sox at Rays picks and predictions
Prediction
Rays 6, White Sox 3
Moneyline
The Rays (-185) are a little too expensive to play in the series opener on Monday night, costing nearly 2 times your potential return. Even with Tampa Bay getting the White Sox (+150) on their home field with revenge on its mind, AVOID.
Chicago has just 8 wins in 34 tries, but 3 of those victories came in 3 outings against Tampa Bay on the South Side of Chicago. It was a shocking 3-game sweep, the only one for Chicago, and just the 2nd series win of the season, and only one against an American League opponent.
Run line/Against the spread
If you're little more adventurous, consider the RAYS -1.5 (+115) on the run line.
This wager takes a little bit of a leap of faith, as the White Sox +1.5 (-140) swept the Rays April 26-28. However, Chicago is a bad team, and it is just 3-14 on the road with an MLB-worst minus-82 run differential. Roll with the Rays.
Over/Under
OVER 7.5 (+100) is a solid play at even-money.
The White Sox allowed just 9 total runs in the 3-game interleague series win in St. Louis over the weekend, cashing the Under in 2 of the past 3 games. The Under has a 4-3 edge in the past 7 outings, too. However, the Over is 6-3 in the past 9 games on the road for the Pale Hose.
The Over-Under is 3-3-1 in the past 7 games for the Rays, but the Over is 9-3 in the past 12 games at home for Tampa Bay.
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