Chicago White Sox vs. Toronto Blue Jays: Odds, Prediction
The Toronto Blue Jays are still in the hunt for the final AL wild card spot, but they’re not making it easy on themselves. After dropping two of three against Detroit at home over the weekend, they now sit 4.5 games back of Oakland for the AL’s second wild card spot. In town to open a four-game set at Rogers Centre is the Chicago White Sox. Chicago dropped two of three games against Tampa Bay this weekend, but they still have a commanding 9.5-game cushion to lead the AL Central.
This game opened as a pick’em on the MLB odds, with a total of 8.5.
Betting Analysis
These teams haven’t met since early June when the White Sox won two of three games in Chicago. Those two Chicago wins both went Under the total, while Toronto’s lone win was a push on the total.
Chicago has hit a bit of a snag on the road recently, dropping four of their last five games outside the Windy City. They’ve had more success in Toronto though, as they’re 9-4 straight up in their last 13 games in the Six. The total has gone Over in eight of the White Sox’s last 10 games against AL East opponents. They’re 51-39 against right-handed pitchers this season (Alek Manoah is pitching for Toronto).
The Blue Jays are faltering at the wrong time, dropping seven of their last nine games overall. The total has gone Under in four of their last five games against Chicago and five of their last seven at home. Toronto is 49-40 against right-handed pitchers this season (Lance Lynn is on the mound).
Chicago White Sox
Chicago will open the series with Lance Lynn on the mound. Lynn is arguably having the best season of his career at 34-years-old. He’s 10-3 with a 2.26 ERA (best of his career) over 22 starts, although it’s worth noting he’s struggled to pitch deep into games. The veteran ace has only pitched over five innings in one of his last four starts. Lynn allowed one run on three hits over four innings of work in his last start, a 3-2 win against Oakland last Wednesday.
Lynn hasn’t exactly thrived against the Jays in his career. In eight career games (seven starts) against Toronto, he’s 1-3 with a 4.73 ERA. Lynn was on the mound earlier this season in a 6-2 loss to Toronto. He pitched seven innings of one-run ball and didn’t get the decision. Over Lynn’s career, Blue Jays pitchers have hit .267 against him in 93 plate appearances.
Toronto Blue Jays
Toronto will turn to rookie Alek Manoah on Monday. The 23-year-old is 5-2 with a 3.34 ERA over 12 career starts. He’ll be looking to bounce back after a rough outing against Washington last week. Manoah gave up a season-high seven runs in a 12-6 loss and allowed six earned runs in just three innings of work. Manoah has looked much more comfortable at home. He’s been dominant in five home starts, going 3-0 with a 1.91 ERA. In seven road appearances this year, Manoah is 2-2 with a 4.54 ERA.
Despite those road struggles, the rookie has played above expectations overall. Per nine innings of work, Manoah has punched out 10.60 batters and walked just 3.19. He’s struck out 28.3 per cent of batters he’s faced and posted a 12.7 per cent swinging-strike rate. Manoah’s lone career start against the White Sox was the 6-2 Toronto win in June. He allowed two runs, one earned, over five innings, but didn’t get the decision. Chicago batters hit a combined .231 over 13 plate appearances against Manoah.
CHW
TOR