The Chicago White Sox and the Tampa Bay Rays meet Wednesday in MLB action from Tropicana Field. Here’s a Tampa Bay Rays vs Chicago White Sox prediction. This will be the final installment in a three-game series. We will look at this from a betting perspective and determine the best bets for the game.
Chicago White Sox Betting Preview
The White Sox took on the St. Louis Cardinals over the weekend, losing 3-0 in game one before a pair of victories to take the series from there. After an 8-2 loss to the Rays on Monday, in game two Chicago gave up four runs in the first three innings during a 5-1 loss. Michael Soroka went 5.0 innings in the starting role with three earned on three hits and four walks with four Ks.
In the starter role for the finale the White Sox will send out Chris Flexen. Over his seven starts this year Flexen is 1-3 with a 4.85 ERA and 17 Ks in 29.2 innings of work. Flexen is 28-37 with a 4.94 career ERA in 127 games (85 starts).
Tampa Bay Rays Betting Preview
Over on the Rays’ side, they played the New York Mets in their weekend matchup. Tampa Bay managed a sweep in that trio with wins 10-8, 3-1 and 7-6. Following their six-run win over the Sox on Monday, in game two the Rays got a combined two homers, there RBI, four hits and three runs from Randy Arozarena and Isaac Paredes. Starter Zach Eflin posted 7.0 innings, one earned, six hits and no walks.
It’ll be Aaron Civale in the starting pitcher role for the Rays on Wednesday. Across his seven starts this year Civale is 2-2 with a 6.14 ERA. He has 39 Ks in 36.2 innings. Civale is 33-28 with a 4.08 career ERA in 93 starts. The Rays will face the Yankees following this series.
White Sox vs Rays Injury Notes
The Rays optioned SP Jacob Waguespack to Triple-A Durham on Saturday. SP Taj Bradley (pectoral) is expected to make his season debut this week.
Why the Tampa Bay Rays will win
- Probable Starting Pitcher: Aaron Civale Record this season: 2-2 ERA: 6.14
- The White Sox have lost each of their last seven road games against American League opponents.
- The home team has won each of the Rays’ last seven games.
- The home team has covered the run line in each of the last six games between the White Sox and Rays.
- The White Sox have failed to cover the run line in each of their last four road games against American League opponents.
- The White Sox have trailed after 3 innings in each of their last eight road night games.
- The Rays have led after 5 innings in each of their last four games against the White Sox at Tropicana Field.
Why the Chicago White Sox will win
- Probable Starting Pitcher: Chris Flexen Record this season: 1-3 ERA: 4.85
- The Rays have lost five of their last seven games as favorites against American League opponents.
- The White Sox have won five of their last seven games as underdogs against AL East opponents.
- The Rays have failed to cover the run line in 10 of their last 12 games as favorites after playing the previous day.
- The underdogs have covered the run line in 13 of the Rays’ last 16 games at Tropicana Field.
- The Rays have trailed after 5 innings in five of their last seven games as favorites against American League opponents.
- The Rays have trailed after 3 innings in four of their last six games as home favorites against AL Central opponents.
Total Runs Facts
- Four of the White Sox’s last five road games against AL East opponents have gone UNDER the total runs line.
- Four of the Rays’ last five night games against AL Central opponents have gone OVER the total runs line.
- The ‘Inning 1 UNDER 0.5 runs’ market has hit in each of the White Sox’s last 16 night games against AL East opponents.
- The ‘Inning 1 UNDER 0.5 runs’ market has hit in each of the Rays’ last six games as favorites against AL Central opponents.
Tampa Bay Rays vs Chicago White Sox Prediction
I’ll try the White Sox. At least some of that is due to Civale’s struggles on the mound lately. Over his last three starts, Civale is 0-1 with 18 earned runs in 13.2 innings total. He hasn’t made it to 5.0 innings in any of those either. As for Flexen, he’s got two earned over 10.0 innings over his last two starts, going 1-0. Chicago should have some early opportunities at the plate if Civale can’t get it together.
On Tuesday the Sox had some trouble in the first few innings, but the good news is that things went well defensively after that. Chicago used just two pitchers for the whole game. Still, only four players had hits. The White Sox will obviously need a better effort at the plate Wednesday. I think they’ve got an outside shot, tough.