Minnesota Twins (33-44) vs. Chicago White Sox (46-31)
July 1, 2021 2:10 pm EDT
The Line: Chicago White Sox -135 / Minnesota Twins +125; Over/Under: +8
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The Minnesota Twins and the Chicago White Sox meet Thursday in MLB action from Guaranteed Rate Field. This will be the final installment in a three-game set between these teams this week. The White Sox won Tuesday by one run, then in the Wednesday game two Chicago kept it going with a 10-run victory. Check back all season long for free MLB picks at Sports Chat Place.
Minnesota had an early lead Tuesday but couldn’t keep up in what was ultimately a 7-6 loss. In the Wednesday game, the Twins gave up 12 hits in a 13-3 defeat. Starter Bailey Ober went 3.1 innings with five earned on four hits and two walks.
For the starter job in the Thursday finale, the Twins will send out Jose Berrios. Over his 89.2 innings this year, Berrios has 74 hits, 36 runs (34 earned), 10 homers allowed, 23 walks, 96 Ks and a 3.41 ERA.
Over on the White Sox’ side, they managed four runs in the fifth inning during the Tuesday victory. On Wednesday, Chicago posted six runs in the fifth inning on the way to the win. Dylan Cease posted 6.0 innings with two earned on three hits and three walks.
For Thursday’s finale, the White Sox will send Carlos Rodon to the mound for the starting role. Across 78.2 innings in 13 starts this year, Rodon has a 6-3 record with a 2.06 ERA and 113 strikeouts.
The Twins are 5-1 in their last six in game three of a series and 2-5 in their last seven Thursday games. Minnesota is 4-11 in their last 15 road games versus a team with a winning record and the over is 4-1 in their last five Thursday games.
Meanwhile, the White Sox are 6-1 in their last seven Thursday games and 4-1 in their last five in game three of a series. Chicago is 45-18 in their last 63 home games and 41-14 in their last 55 versus a team with a losing record.
PICK: I’m going to stick with the White Sox. Rodon hasn’t had much luck record-wise over his last seven games, with a 1-2 record. He’s given up 27 hits and 12 earned runs over 42.0 finings in that span, however. As for Berrios, he’s coming off a nice start versus the Indians with 6.1 innings, four hits, two walks and one earned. This one should be a great starter battle but I like Rodon and the Sox to eke out the win.
