Cleveland Indians vs. Chicago White Sox MLB Picks, Odds, Predictions 7/30/2021
Cleveland Indians (50-49) vs. Chicago White Sox (60-41)
July 30, 2021 8:10 pm EDT
The Line: Chicago White Sox -210 / Cleveland Indians +192; Over/Under: -8.5
(Get latest betting odds)
The Cleveland Indians and the Chicago White Sox meet Friday in MLB action from Guaranteed Rate Field. Cleveland is coming off a pair of games versus the Cardinals this week. The Indians lost Tuesday but won the Wednesday game for a split. As for the Sox, they played the Royals this week. Chicago lost two of the first three games there, then on Thursday the Sox put up a shutout defeat. Check back all season long for free MLB picks at Sports Chat Place.
Cleveland took a 4-2 loss at the hands of the Cardinals on Tuesday, but they were able to bounce back for a 7-2 win on Wednesday. In that one, Cleveland’s Zach Plesac posted a solid outing with 5.0 innings, seven hits, four Ks and two earned runs.
For the starter job on Friday, the Indians are going with JC Meija. Over his 40.2 innings in 12 games (nine starts) this year, Meija has a 1-6 record with 41 Ks and a 7.52 ERA.
Over on the White Sox’ side, they played the Royals this week. Chicago won Tuesday 5-3 but lost Monday 4-3 and Wednesday 3-2. In the Thursday finale, the Sox gave up four runs in the first three innings during a 5-0 loss. Carlos Rodon went 4.0 innings with eight hits and four earned runs.
For the starter gig in the Friday opener, the Sox will send out Lance Lynn. This year Lynn owns a 10-3 record with a nice 1.91 ERA and 115 strikeouts to his credit.
The Indians are 4-1 in their last five with a total of 7.0-8.5 and 3-8 in their last 11 road games. Cleveland is 2-10 in their salt 12 Friday games and 0-4 in their last four in game one of a series.
Meanwhile, the White Sox are 0-4 in their last four in game one of a series and 51-21 in their last 72 home games. Chicago is 26-12 in their last 38 versus the AL Central and the under is 3-0-1 in their last four in game one of a series.
PICK: I’m going to stick with the Sox. Meija has had some issues this year, and hasn’t been great over his last seven games. He’s posted an 0-5 record with an 8.44 ERA and 30 earned runs in 32.0 innings. The good news is that Meija posted 6.0 innings his last time up versus the Rays, but he also gave up five earned on seven hits and two walks. Unless Meija can suddenly regain form the Sox should have plenty of opportunities in this one.
