Pick Favored Rays against struggling White Sox

Tony Reyes
By , Updated on: Apr 26, 2023 08:00 PM
Pick Favored Rays against struggling White Sox
  • When: Thursday, April 27 at 7:10 PM ET
  • Who: Rays at White Sox
  • Starting Pitchers: Dylan Cease and Shane McClanahan
  • Where: Guaranteed Rate Field in Chicago, Illinois

The Rays and White Sox are two division rivals that will start their series in Chicago this weekend. Both teams are coming off losing streaks, with the Rays losing their first series and home games of the season to the Astros earlier this week.

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The White Sox are in an awful slump losing their last 7 games and they're set to host the best team in baseball this weekend. Let's take a closer look at the matchup.

Game Preview

The White Sox will be sending out their best pitcher in Dylan Cease while the Rays will be sending out fellow ace Shane McClanahan to take the mound. Both pitchers have pitched well this season and neither have recorded a loss yet.

Cease is 2-0 with a 2.73 ERA and 34 strikeouts this season. He has a 1-1 record with an ERA of 3.72 and 22 strikeouts in 4 appearances against the Rays in his career.

He struggled in his previous start against the Rays, allowing 3 earned before being pulled after just 4 innings.

Meanwhile, the Rays are sending out Shane McClanahan, who has pitched spectacularly to start the season. He has a 4-0 record with an ERA of 1.86 and 37 strikeouts.

McClanahan is 1-1 with an ERA of 3.18 and 22 strikeouts in 3 appearances against the White Sox in his career.

While Cease struggled in their previous matchup, McClanahan thrived, striking out 10 in 6 innings despite the no decision.

Pitching Props

These prolific pitchers could be setting this game up for a pitching duel. Let's examine some of the strikeout props for both pitchers in this game.

Cease is best known for his slider and he certainly had some success with it last time he faced the Rays.

StrikeoutsBovadaBetOnlineBetUS
Cease O 6.5-105-105-110
Cease U 6.5-120-115-115
McClanahan O 6.5-105-105-110
McClanahan U 6.5-120-115-115

The strikeout prop for both Cease and McClanahan is set at 6.5 strikeouts which seems fair. McClanahan also had a ton of success the last time he saw the White Sox.

I have a feeling we are in for a pitcher's duel tomorrow and I'd advise taking over 6.5 strikeouts for both Dylan Cease and Shane McClanahan.

Dylan Cease Over 6.5 Strikeouts
-110
BetUS

Shane McClanahan Over 6.5 Strikeouts
-110
BetUS

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Total Runs

This total feels very low but is understandable considering the pitchers that are involved. 7.5 runs is a very low number and one would think the bullpens may come into play in this game.

Total RunsBovadaBetOnlineBetUS
Over 7 Runs-125+105-100
Under 7 Runs+105-125-120

Although I agree that both pitchers will have success in this game, it's difficult for me to see this game end with a total lower than 7 runs.

The Rays offense is too good and has been stymied with shutout losses the past two days.

I would recommend betting over 7.5 runs as the pick in this game.

Rays and White Sox Over 7.5 Runs
-105
BetUS

Money Line

The Rays being priced as -145 favorites feels strange considering the White Sox record this season. This feels like a trap by the oddsmakers with such a low price for the Rays.

Money LineBovadaBetOnlineBetUS
Rays-150-143-145
White Sox+126+132+130

If it's a trap, I'm going to fall right into it because it's tough for me to see the Rays lose their third game in a row. As much as I would like to advise betting on the White Sox because of Dylan Cease, they're only priced as +130 underdogs.

I would need much more favorable odds if I was going to bet on the White Sox in this one.

Let's not overthink it, the Rays money line is the pick in this game.

Rays To win game
-145
BetUS

Best Bet

I am very tempted to recommend betting over 7.5 runs as well as the Rays money line in this game, but I'm choosing the Rays money line as the pick for this game.

The best bet in this game is the Rays money line.

Rays To win game
-145
BetUS

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Meet the author

Tony Reyes

With years of experience as both a fan and analyst, Tony brings an expert voice to picks and predictions. His love of sports betting comes through in coverage that informs and entertains in equal measure. When not watching the games or covering them, you can find Tony s...

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