The 2022 MLB season goes on Friday, June 3, with the American league battle at Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg, Florida, so we have prepared the best White Sox vs. Rays betting pick along with the latest odds update on Bookmaker Sportsbook.  

Chicago and Tampa start a three-game set, and the Rays are listed as firm -195 home favorites for Friday’s clash. The White Sox, who won two of their three home contests against Tampa in April, sit at +179 moneyline odds, and the totals are set at 7.0 runs. 

The Chi Sox continue their tough six-game road trip                       

Thursday’s games have been excluded from the analysis, and the 23-25 Chicago White Sox were looking to beat the Blue Jays and avoid a sweep in a three-game series at Rogers Centre in Toronto. After a narrow 6-5 defeat in the opening contest this past Tuesday, the Chi Sox suffered a 7-3 loss in the middle game. 

The White Sox have gone 1-4 in their previous five outings, outlasting the Chicago Cubs 5-4 in 12 innings in the process. Over the last seven days of action, they’ve recorded the tenth-lowest OPS (.678) and the 11th-highest ERA (4.26) in the majors. 

Vince Velasquez will toe the slab Friday, and the 29-year-old righty is 2-3 with a pedestrian 5.30 ERA and 1.40 WHIP in seven starts and one relief appearance in 2022. Velasquez has been awful for most of the season. He’s surrendered 11 earned runs over his previous two starts. 

The Rays open a six-game homestand                       

The 29-21 Tampa Bay Rays closed down their four-game road series against Texas on Thursday. After a 9-5 defeat in the opener and a 3-0 loss in Game 2, the Rays outlasted the Rangers 4-3 in 11 innings this past Wednesday. 

The Rays have dropped six of their previous 12 contests overall. Over the last couple of weeks, their offense has recorded the lowest OPS in baseball (.519) while batting only .175. Tampa Bay is missing Wander Franco, who’s recovering from a quadriceps injury. Franco is sporting a .270/.305/.421 triple-slash and a 117 OPS+ in 178 at-bats this season. 

Shane McClanahan will toe the rubber Friday, searching for his fourth consecutive win. The 25-year-old lefty is enjoying a wonderful season, tallying a 5-2 record, 2.01 ERA, 0.91 WHIP, and 81/12 K/BB ratio across 58.1 innings of work (ten starts). 

Trends:

Chi Sox: 

  • 1-4 in the last five games overall    

Tampa Bay:

  • 5-0 in Shane McClanahan’s last five starts  

Chicago White Sox vs. Tampa Bay Rays Pick 

The Rays’ bats will have a terrific opportunity to break out of their slump when they meet Vince Velasquez. On the other side, Shane McClanahan should dominate this game even though the White Sox hold a .760 OPS against the left-handed pitchers. 

McClanahan was unstoppable in May, posting a microscopic 1.15 ERA and 2.38 FIP in five starts, and the Rays went 5-0 in his five outings. The current Tampa Bay lineup owns a 1.040 OPS in 31 at-bats against Velasquez, so give me the hosts at moneyline odds. 

Pick: Take Tampa Bay Rays at -195                            

The Total:

Despite their recent form, I wouldn’t be surprised if the Rays hammer Vince Velasquez in this game. Hereof, I lean toward the over, as the line is set pretty low. Shane McClanahan could allow a run or two, as the White Sox’s lineup is more dangerous when facing the lefties. 

The Rays’ bullpen continues to impress, racking up a 2.25 ERA and 2.83 FIP in the last ten days. The White Sox’s relievers have struggled in that span, recording a 5.40 ERA, 4.31 FIP, and .363 BABIP. 

Pick: Go over 7.0 runs at -120