Baseball fans are gearing up for an exciting three-game series as the Tampa Bay Rays host the Chicago White Sox, starting Monday, July 21, at George M. Steinbrenner Field. The Rays enter as strong favorites, looking to extend their winning record, while the White Sox aim to defy expectations as underdogs. This series promises intriguing matchups and betting opportunities.
Series Schedule and Pitching Matchups
Monday, July 21, 7:35 p.m. ET: Shane Baz (Rays) vs. Sean Burke (White Sox)
Tuesday, July 22, 7:35 p.m. ET: Drew Rasmussen (Rays) vs. TBD (White Sox)
Wednesday, July 23, 7:35 p.m. ET: Taj Bradley (Rays) vs. Jonathan Cannon (White Sox)
All games will be broadcast on FDSSUN and CHSN, with livestreaming available via Fubo.
Betting Insights and Odds
The Rays are heavily favored in the opening game, with moneyline odds around -224, while the White Sox are listed at +183. The total runs for Monday’s game are set at 9. The Rays have a strong track record as favorites, winning 58.5% of games when favored this season. Conversely, the White Sox have struggled as underdogs, winning only 34.7% of such contests.
Team Performance and Key Players
Tampa Bay Rays:
Offense: The Rays are the eighth-highest scoring team in MLB, averaging 4.7 runs per game, and rank second in batting average (.258).
Pitching: Their pitching staff holds a collective ERA of 3.76, ranking 10th in MLB.
Key Hitters: Yandy Diaz (.294 AVG, 15 HR, 57 RBI), Junior Caminero (25 HR, 65 RBI), and Jonathan Aranda (.316 AVG) lead the offense.
Key Pitchers: Shane Baz (8-5, 4.17 ERA), Drew Rasmussen (7-5, 2.86 ERA), and Taj Bradley (6-6, 4.35 ERA) are the projected starters.
Chicago White Sox:
Offense: The White Sox rank 27th in MLB with 3.6 runs per game and 29th in team batting average (.223).
Pitching: Their pitching staff has a 4.08 ERA, ranking 19th in MLB.
Key Hitters: Miguel Vargas (11 HR, 38 RBI) and Lenyn Sosa (.270 AVG) are key offensive contributors.
Key Pitchers: Sean Burke (4-8, 4.36 ERA) will start the series opener.
Predictions
Expert predictions lean heavily towards the Rays, with a common score prediction of Rays 5, White Sox 3 for the first game. The total runs are often predicted to go under 9. The Rays’ strong offensive and pitching statistics, combined with their favorable home record, position them as strong contenders to win the series.
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