Chicago White Sox vs. Toronto Blue Jays: Odds, Prediction
Toronto is a -190 favourite on the MLB odds with a total of nine runs.
Betting Analysis
This already has been a good year for White Sox fans. Oh, the team is still among the worst in the majors and sitting last in the AL Central at 23-52. But the Pale Hose have taken steps forward after a record-setting 121 losses in 2024. Chicago probably still loses 100 games but won’t approach that 121 number again under first-year manager Will Venable.
In addition, the White Sox’s modern-day record of defeats might be exceeded this year by the Colorado Rockies. Perhaps even better news for many White Sox fans was that embattled owner Jerry Reinsdorf signed a deal to sell the club. It just won’t happen likely until next decade.
Chicago’s big offseason trade was shipping ace Garrett Crochet to the Red Sox, and while the overall grades on that deal won’t be made for months, the White Sox have gotten one good everyday starter out of that so far in rookie shortstop Chase Meidroth. But the lineup is still among the weakest in the league. Center fielder Luis Robert was thought to be the team’s other big trade chip and while he is still playing terrific defence and has stolen 22 bases, he’s hitting below .200 and basically un-tradeable at the moment.
Toronto hasn’t lost a season series to the White Sox since 2021 and went 5-1 last year, including 2-1 at Rogers Centre. The Jays visit the on the South Side of Chicago from July 7-9.
Chicago White Sox
The Sox were swept in a home doubleheader on Thursday by St. Louis and have now lost a season-high-tying eight straight games but generally have been competitive in those. The two losses Thursday were by a combined three runs, but the bullpen is thinned-out after the twin-bill. Chicago has now been swept in eight series overall.
The Sox’s 26-man roster features eight rookies, tied for the most in MLB. Outfielder and sometimes leadoff hitter Mike Tauchman, a veteran, exited the second game Thursday with right groin soreness, so he’s likely out tonight.
Righty Davis Martin (2-7, 3.79 ERA) takes the mound, and he’s 1-5 with a 4.62 ERA on the road. The 28-year-old hasn’t personally won since May 14 in Cincinnati. Martin’s lone appearance vs. the Jays was in relief on June 21, 2022, and he blew a save in allowing three runs on three hits in just a third of an inning.
Andres Gimenez has seen Martin the most of any Blue Jays batter career and is 2-for-5. The White Sox are 1-12 in the past 13 overall meetings and outscored 77-30.
Toronto Blue Jays
The Jays had a chance to sweep visiting Arizona in a three-game set on Thursday, but Kevin Gausman didn’t have it in a 9-5 loss. Gausman allowed a season-worst seven runs and seven hits in 4 1/3 innings and has been horrible in June at 0-2 with a 7.65 ERA in four starts.
One bright spot was two homers from Alejandro Kirk, his fifth career multi-homer game. Kirk entered having gone 0-for-16 over his last four starts. Outfielder Alan Roden was a late scratch due to right knee inflammation. Will Robertson started in his place. Fellow outfielder Myles Straw sprained his right ankle in Tuesday’s win and hasn’t played since but is expected to avoid the injured list.
Journeyman righty Spencer Turnbull (1-0, 2.08 ERA) gets the start tonight but likely won’t go the full five to qualify for a win as the 32-year-old hasn’t gone more than 2.1 innings in two relief appearances for the Jays. So he’s basically an opener, but the Toronto bullpen is in good shape after Thursday’s loss. Turnbull has made six career starts vs. the White Sox and is 1-3 with a 4.78 ERA. Andrew Benintendi is 4-for-10 off him. The Sox are a brutal 7-31 on the road.
CHW
TOR