The Oakland Athletics are set to face off against the Chicago White Sox at Guaranteed Rate Field in the 2 game of a doubleheader. NBC Sports – California will be airing this AL matchup and the action gets going at 8:10 p.m. ET.
Oakland Athletics at Chicago White Sox Odds
Vegas has listed Chicago (+130) as the underdog to Oakland (-140). The total sits at 9.5 runs and bettors can take the over for -115 and the under for -105. Gamblers can also wager on the game’s spread with the runline odds coming in at Athletics -1.5 runs (+105) and White Sox +1.5 runs (-125).
The Athletics have gone 38-36 SU this year and are 35-39 against the spread (ATS). They’ve gained 2.4 units for moneyline bettors, despite having lost 4.7 units ATS. Oakland’s covered the spread four times in its last seven games and the over has hit in six of those seven. The White Sox, on the other hand, are 24-49 SU and 35-38 ATS. They’ve lost 17.4 units for moneyline bettors and 9.3 units ATS. Chicago hasn’t covered the spread in any of its last seven games and the total has gone under in four of those seven.
Chicago games have a 29-39-5 over/under record so far in 2018. The Athletics have an over/under record of 36-34-4.
The right-handed Chris Bassitt is getting the nod for Oakland. Bassitt (0-2, 2.45 ERA) has recorded nine strikeouts in 11 innings so far. He has yet to face the White Sox this year and did not record a start against them in 2017, either.
The White Sox are putting the ball in the hands of righty Lucas Giolito (4-7, 7.19 ERA), who’s got 40 punchouts and 45 walks to his credit, as well as a WHIP of 1.64. Giolito did not record a start against the Athletics in 2017.
As a unit, Chicago’s pitchers have allowed 5.1 runs per game overall in 2018. Its starters have an ERA of 5.28, a WHIP of 1.47 and a strikeouts-per-nine of 6.4. The bullpen has a 3.88 ERA, 1.45 WHIP and 9.4 K/9.
The Chicago hitters are putting up 3.7 runs per outing, including 2.4 per game over its last 10 games and 2.2 per game over their last five. The team has a slash-line of .194/.244/.279 over its last five games and is 0-5 SU during that stretch.
First baseman Jose Abreu and third baseman Yolmer Sanchez have paced the White Sox offense this year. Abreu is slashing .281/.334/.495 with 11 home runs, 42 RBIs and 36 runs scored, while Sanchez’s line is .256/.306/.402 with four homers, 29 RBIs and 28 runs.
For the visiting squad, Oakland’s pitchers have allowed 4.4 runs per game and its starting pitchers own a 4.37 ERA, 1.22 WHIP and 6.59 K/9. The bullpen has an ERA of 3.43, along with a K/9 of 8.55.
Athletics hitters have slashed .241/.313/.417 on their way to 4.5 runs scored per game this season, including 4.6 runs per game over the team’s last 10 games and 6.4 per game over the team’s last five contests (4-1 SU).
Oakland’s offense has been powered by second baseman Jed Lowrie and shortstop Marcus Semien, who collectively have belted 18 home runs. Lowrie is slashing .285/.344/.476 with 11 home runs, 47 RBIs and 30 runs scored. Semien is hitting .257/.312/.386 with seven homers, 29 RBIs and 43 runs scored.
The Athletics have gained 4.5 units and are 21-26 ATS when facing a righty starter this season. The over has hit in 24 of those games, compared to 21 that’ve gone under against right-handed starting pitchers. On the other hand, the White Sox have lost 14.6 units and are 26-30 ATS when facing a righty starter. The over has hit in 21 of those games, compared to 30 that’ve gone under.
Oakland Athletics vs. Chicago White Sox Free MLB Pick
Predictions: SU Winner – Athletics, ATS Winner – Athletics, O/U – OVER
Betting Notes,
- Oakland has recorded 19 extra-base hits over its last five outings. Chicago has nine XBH over its last five.
- Chicago has recorded 15.4 Runs + Hits + Errors per game over its last 10 outings and 15.0 over its last five.
- The Athletics have hit 17 home runs in their last 10 games, including 11 over their last five.
