MLB Picks 4/29 – Tampa Bay Rays @ Chicago White Sox.

MLB Picks 4/29 – Tampa Bay Rays @ Chicago White Sox.

By Thomas Quaynor – MLB analyst for Wannamakeabet.com

The Tampa Bay Rays (22-5) are on the road facing the Chicago White Sox (7-20) in the third of four games at Guaranteed Rate Field. Tampa won the first two games of the series and has won all five meetings with Chicago on the season. Chicago has lost 9 games in a row, the franchise’s longest losing streak since a 10-game skid in 2013. Tonight’s starting pitchers are Calvin Faucher (0-1, 5.68 ERA) for Tampa and Lance Lynn (0-3, 7.52) for Chicago.

GAME ODDS

Moneyline:  Tampa Bay -130, Chicago +110 

Run Line: Tampa Bay -1.5 (+130), Chicago +1.5 (-158)

Run Total: over 9 (-120) under 9 (-102) 

GAME STORYLINES 

The Tampa Bay Rays own the best record in baseball at 22-5, they’ve also scored the most runs (174). given up the fewest (77) and lead the majors in home runs, hits and RBI. Leading the offensive surge for Tampa is left-fielder Randy Arozarena, who is batting .330 with 5 home runs and 24 RBI. Second baseman Brandon Lowe (.244, 7 HR, 18 RBI) and first baseman Yandi Diaz ( .319, 7 HR, 16 RBI) also provide lots of power to the lineup. At the moment, Tampa appears to be elite in every facet (hitting, pitching, fielding) of the game and are in a great position to win the franchise’s first ever World Series. 

The Chicago White Sox 2023 season has quickly spiraled downward as they enter tonight’s game on a 9-game losing skid and have the third worst record in baseball at 7-20. The 7-20 mark is the worst start to a season in franchise history and they have yet to win a series this year. One glimmer of hope for Chicago is 8 of the 9 straight losses have been to Tampa and the Toronto Blue Jays, two of the better teams in baseball. Maybe they can get things turned around when the schedule softens up.  

Injuries to shortstop Tim Anderson and third baseman Yoan Moncada have also played a role in the dismal start. Anderson has played in just 11 games this year after spraining his knee on April 11, Chicago was 5-6 with him and have gone 2-11 without him. Anderson missed 83 games in 2022 due to injuries. Moncada is dealing with a back injury that has limited him to just 9 games. 

Through all the losses and injury Chicago has endured in 2023, one bright spot has been the power displayed from third baseman Jake Burger. Burger is hitting .259 with a team-high 7 homers and 13 RBI across 19 games filling in for an injured Yoan Moncada. Moncada is expected to be out for a few more weeks but I expect Burger will remain the starter regardless of Moncada’s status.

THE PICK

The Tampa Bay Rays own Chicago(and most of baseball) this year, I don’t see anything changing tonight..take Tampa here!