Even though we have 15 MLB games on the schedule on Friday, September 2, this divisional clash is perhaps the most interesting, so make sure you don’t miss the best Twins vs. White Sox Rays betting pick and odds.

Minnesota and Chicago will play the first of a three-game series at Guaranteed Rate Field, and the Twins are -125 moneyline favorites on BetOnline Sportsbook, while the total is set at 8 runs. These American League Central foes have faced ten times this season, and the Twins lead 6-4.

Twins narrowly failed to sweep the Red Sox

The Minnesota Twins responded to a six-game losing streak with the series sweep over the San Francisco Giants. They were close to sweeping the Boston Red Sox as well, but following two victories, the Twins lost the final game of the series. Along with the Cleveland Guardians and Chicago White Sox, Minnesota is one of the candidates for the AL Central title.

The Twins couldn’t handle the Red Sox, particularly Xander Bogaerts, who blasted a grand slam in the third inning. Boston had a 6-2 lead after the first six innings, and although Minnesota tried to make a comeback – it fell short in a 6-5 loss. Joe Ryan (10-7) took a loss after allowing five runs on eight hits with eight strikeouts and a walks in 5.0 innings. Luis Arraez and Nick Gordon combined for five RBIs in this one.

Sonny Gray (7-4) will start on the mound for the 21st time this year when he takes on Chicago on Friday. The 32-year-old righty owns a rock-solid 3.04 ERA, 1.11 WHIP, and 99/32 K/BB ratio across 100.2 innings of work.

White Sox came from behind to win the series over the Royals

The Chicago White Sox were in a disastrous form of ten losses in 12 games before a pair of victories against the Kansas City Royals. Chicago opened the series with a loss but bounced back with 4-2 and 7-1 wins to return to one game below .500.

Johnny Cueto (7-6) returned to his usual following his worst display of the campaign against Arizona and recorded a win after surrendering one run on five hits with five strikeouts and no walks over 5.0 innings. Andrew Vaughn and A.J. Pollock chipped in with a two-run homer apiece as the White Sox secured a 7-1 W, despite committing three errors in the game.

Davis Martin (2-4) will start for the 6th time this year when he faces Minnesota on Friday. The 25-year-old righty has a 4.62 ERA, 1.31 WHIP, and 28/14 K/BB ratio in 39.0 innings.

Trends:

Minnesota:

  • 5-1 in the last six overall
  • 4-0 in the last four vs. American League Central rivals
  • 4-1 in the last five games vs. a right-handed starter

Chicago:

  • 0-5 in the last five during game 1 of a series
  • 0-4 in the last four games vs. a right-handed starter

Minnesota Twins vs. Chicago White Sox Odds Pick  

These divisional rivalry games are always interesting and it could go either way, so it’s not going to be easy to predict the winner. Still, I think the Twins are in a better position at the moment, and they have an experienced starter on the mound, unlike the White Sox, who will have to rely on a rookie early in the game. Gray will be desperate for revenge after the White Sox handed him his worst start of the season in which he allowed six runs. I am backing Sonny to keep the White Sox’s batter in control here and help his team in getting the win. Chicago is not batting very well against righties (4.07 runs per nine innings), so Gray should have a quality start.

Pick: Take the Twins to win (-125)

The Total

I must note that Gray didn’t surrender more than three runs in each of seven starts following that disastrous display against the White Sox in mid-July. Although I am sure he will keep the hosts to two or three runs in the opening five to six innings, I am not sure about Davis Martin, who is not yet reliable enough to start games in the MLB. Only because of him I am going with Over here. Over is 6-1-2 in the last nine H2H meetings, while Over is 4-0-2 in the previous six H2H duels in Chicago.

Pick: Go Over 8 runs (-110)