This installment of Friday MLB odds is served up Chicago-style, as the best game of the night takes place on the Southside of Chi-Town.
We are talking about the White Sox and the Rays, a matchup pitting two 2021 playoff teams against each other. Chicago checks in as a home favorite over a Tampa Bay team looking to rebound after a rough series against the surprisingly upstart Oakland A’s.
Props.com breaks down Rays-White Sox, plus the Cincinnati Reds at Los Angeles Dodgers as the Friday MLB odds menu features a full slate of 15 games.
Odds via WynnBet and updated as of 5:45 p.m. ET on April 15.
Tampa Bay Rays at Chicago White Sox
First Pitch/TV: 7:10 p.m. ET/Apple TV+
Chicago White Sox: 4-2 (3-3 O/U)
Tampa Bay: 4-3 (3-4 O/U)
Moneyline/Runline/Total: White Sox -135/White Sox -1.5 (+140)/8 (Under -115)
Pitching Matchup (2021 stats): TB RHP Drew Rasmussen 4-1, 2.84 ERA, 76.0 IP, 25 BB, 73 K, 3.09 FIP … CWS RHP Dylan Cease 13-7, 3.91 ERA, 165.2 IP, 68 BB, 226 SO, 1.62 FIP
Season Series: This is the first meeting of the season between the White Sox and Rays. The teams split six head-to-head games in 2021.
Did you know: It’s still early in the season, but Fangraphs gives the White Sox a 78% chance to make the playoffs. The prediction model isn’t as bullish on the Rays in the competitive AL East, giving Tampa Bay just a 48% chance to reach the postseason. Obviously, a series win on the road against an opponent as good as Chicago would improve Tampa’s postseason outlook.
MLB Friday Mood:
Breaking Down The Rays
About Tampa Bay: Even though Tampa Bay has won the last two AL East titles, the MLB odds market seems to be sleeping on the Rays. Tampa Bay just completed a seven-game season-opening homestand. It started with a three-game sweep of the Orioles but ended with three losses in four games against the rebuilding A’s. The Rays had the best road record in the American League last year at 48-33, tied for third-best in all of MLB.
About SP Drew Rasmussen: In his first start of the season Saturday, Rasmussen gave up two runs and three hits while striking out three in four innings of work against Baltimore. He got a no-decision the Rays’ 5-3 victory. The 26-year-old did not face the White Sox last year in what was his first extended stint in the majors. Behind Rasmussen stands a Rays bullpen that ranks top 10 in the league for collective WAR.
Injuries: The Rays everyday lineup is healthy. However, the team continues to be without several bullpen pieces, as relievers JT Chargois (oblique), Peter Fairbanks (lat muscle) and Nick Anderson (elbow) are all on the injured list.
Breaking Down the White Sox
About Chicago White Sox: Chicago ran away with the AL Central last season is an overwhelming favorite to repeat that feat in 2022. The Southsiders have started the season by taking two of three games against the Tigers and Mariners, respectively. Chicago CF Luis Robert, who many believe is a sleeper for AL MVP, has smacked a homer in two of his last three games.
About Dylan Cease: Cease is an absolute strikeout machine who racked up 226 punch-outs in 165 2/3 innings last season. That’s a lot of emphatic yelling from umpires. Cease had his best stuff on display in his season debut last week at Detroit, posting eight strikeouts with two hits and one run allowed through five innings. Looking past the starter, the White Sox rank fourth in MLB for collective bullpen WAR.
Injuries: 3B Yoan Moncada (oblique), C/DH Yermin Mercedes (hand), and RF AJ Pollock (hamstring) remain on the 10-day IL. Also, INF Josh Harrison (back) and OF Eloy Jimenez (ankle) are questionable. Neither played against Seattle on Thursday. .
Notable Trends
- White Sox are 10-2 in their last 12 as a favorite, dating to last season
- Rays have covered the +1.5 run line eight straight times as an underdog
- Under is 6-1-2 in the Rays’ last nine road games
For more trends on all MLB games, visit our trends page.
Tampa Bay Rays at Chicago White Sox Odds and Action
UPDATE 5:45 P.M. ET FRIDAY: The White Sox opened as -138 favorites at WynnBet and reached as high as -145 and as low as -127 before settling at -135. Chicago is taking 59% of bets, but 84% of money is on Tampa Bay. The total opened at 8.5 and went to 8.5 (Over -120) before slowly dropping to 8.5 (Under -120), then 8 (-110) and now 8 (Under -115), with 52% of bets/76% of money on the Under.
Cincinnati Reds at Los Angeles Dodgers
First Pitch/TV: 9:15 p.m. ET/Apple TV+
LA Dodgers: 4-2 (2-3-1 O/U)
Cincinnati: 2-5 (5-1-1 O/U)
Moneyline/Runline/Total: Dodgers -243/Dodgers -1.5 (-125)/9
Pitching Matchup (2021 stats): CIN RHP Vladimir Gutierrez 9-6, 4.74 ERA, 114.0 IP, 46 BB, 88 SO, 45.22 FIP … LAD RHP Tony Gonsolin 4-1, 3.23 ERA, 55.2 IP, 34 BB, 65 SO, 4.54 FIP
Season Series: The Dodgers took the first meeting of the season 9-3 on Thursday. L.A. and Cincy split the 2021 season series, 3-3.
Did you know: The Dodgers are celebrating their 60th season at Dodger Stadium in 2022, and they are doing it with a loaded team that seems like a sure thing to hit 100-plus wins. Meanwhile, Reds president Phil Castellini made headlines this week when he suggested to disgruntled fans that the team could move out of Cincinnati. Talk about two franchises heading in opposite directions.
Breaking Down The Reds
About Cincinnati: The Reds started the season 2-2 but enters Friday having dropped three in a row. They spotted the Dodgers a 3-0 first-inning lead Thursday and rallied to tie at 3-3 in the seventh. But Cincinnati’s bullpen surrendered six runs in the eighth and lost 9-3, leaving Cincinnati fans hanging their heads. Taking on the best team in the majors is not a great recipe to get back on track.
About RHP Vladimir Gutierrez: The Reds’ righty gave up two earned runs on six hits in 4.1 innings in his first start of the season Saturday at Atlanta. However, his offense backed him with just three hits in a 2-1 loss. Gutierrez pitches to contact with a low 7.00 K/9 rate throughout his career. He doesn’t issue many free passes, but a high contact rate against an incredible Dodgers offense could end up biting him. Behind him stands a Cincinnati bullpen that has the sixth-highest FIP (4.66) on the young season.
Injuries: Reds 2B Jonathan India (hamstring) is expected to remain out until at least Saturday. However, OF Tommy Pham (hand) might return Friday.
Breaking Down The Dodgers
About Los Angeles: The Dodgers stand as huge favorites to not only win the NL West but have the best record in baseball. After dropping two of three in Colorado, Los Angeles has lived up to its preseason billing with three straight victories. Those wins came in convincing fashion, as well, by a cumulative score of 26-5.
About RHP Tony Gonsolin: The Dodgers’ right-hander gave up one run on five hits with three strikeouts across five innings at Colorado on Saturday. Gonsolin posted a healthy 10.51 K/9 rate through 55.2 innings last season, although he sometimes struggled with command (5.50 BB/9). Still, the talented 27-year-old has a legitimate four-pitch arsenal, and he’s backed by a top five bullpen.
Injuries: The Dodgers are down a few relief pitchers, with Tommy Kahnle (elbow), Caleb Ferguson (elbow) and Victor Gonzalez (elbow) all on the injured list. On the bright side, Los Angeles has more than enough bullpen depth to pick up the slack.
Notable Trends
- Reds are 5-1-1 to the Over this season
- Over is 5-2 in last seven Reds-Dodgers games
- Dodgers have covered the -1.5 run line in three straight against the Reds.
- Dodgers have scored seven or more runs in three straight games.
- Reds have allowed six or more runs in three straight games.
For more trends on all MLB games, visit our trends page.
Cincinnati Reds at Los Angeles Dodgers Odds and Action
UPDATE 5:45 P.M. ET FRIDAY: The Dodgers opened as -240 favorites at WynnBet, then dropped to -227 before climbing back to -233 and now -243. Los Angeles is nabbing an overwhelming 93% of bets and 96% of money. The total opened at 9.5, then dropped to 9.5 (Under -125) before going to 9 (Over -120). The price declined all the way to 9 (Under -120) before going back to 9 flat (-110), with 64% of bets and a hefty 92% of money on the Under.