MLB Betting Preview (May 29): Blue Jays vs. White Sox predictions
By Greg Warren
1 month agoThe Toronto Blue Jays will have a chance to sweep their three-game series with the White Sox in Chicago on Wednesday evening.
After two lengthy rain delays, the Blue Jays slugged their way to a 7-2 victory on Tuesday over the White Sox to improve to 4-1 against lowly Chicago this season. Davis Schneider led the way with three hits and three RBIs and Kevin Gausman held the White Sox to one run over six innings.
Chicago has now lost seven straight games entering play Wednesday, scoring just 19 total runs (average of 2.7 per game) during the skid.
Let’s dive into the game odds for Wednesday’s series finale between the Blue Jays and White Sox courtesy of bet365:
Blue Jays vs. White Sox odds
| Blue Jays Moneyline Odds | -170 |
| White Sox Moneyline Odds | +145 |
| Runline Odds | Blue Jays -1.5 (-105), White Sox +1.5 (-115) |
| Over/Under | Over 8.5 runs (+100), Under 8.5 runs (-120) |
| Time/Date | May 29, 7:40 p.m. ET |
| TV | Broadcast: Sportsnet 1, Sportsnet+ |
Betting Toronto Blue Jays (25-29 SU, 27-27 ATS, 23-31 o/u)
Every player in the starting lineup except Kevin Kiermaier notched at least one hit Tuesday, which gave the Blue Jays a total of 13 on the night. This team has largely struggled offensively this season, but the bats have come alive over the last three games, producing 23 runs. The offensive outburst has bumped Toronto’s average runs per game to four, which ranks 22nd in the majors. It’ll be interesting to see if the Blue Jays can continue to put runs on the board heading into the weekend against a Pittsburgh Pirates squad that boasts much better pitching than the White Sox.
Prior to Tuesday’s game, the Blue Jays made the difficult decision to demote struggling reliever Erik Swanson to Triple-A Buffalo. Swanson was awful through his first 17 appearances, coughing up 14 earned runs over 13 2/3 innings pitched. Toronto activated right-hander Chad Green to take his roster spot and he immediately made an impact by earning a hold with a scoreless inning of work Tuesday.
It was also revealed Tuesday that right-hander Chris Bassitt is dealing with neck spasms, though it didn’t seem to affect his performance on the mound Monday when he tossed five scoreless innings against the White Sox. He threw just 81 pitches in that contest, though, citing his ailing neck as the reason for the short outing. He has not been placed on the injured list as of Wednesday morning.
Betting Chicago White Sox (15-41 SU, 23-33 ATS, 25-29-2 o/u)
There really isn’t anything positive to say about the White Sox these days. They’re the worst team in baseball with a 15-41 record and they rank towards the back of the pack in nearly every offensive and defensive statistical category. Runs have been especially hard to come by, as evidenced by their league-worst 2.9 per game average, which ranks dead last in MLB.
Injuries to stars Eloy Jimenez, Luis Robert, and Yoan Moncada are partially to blame for the slow start.
Probable starting pitchers
Toronto: RHP Alek Manoah (1-2, 3.97 ERA, 9.13 K/9, 1.06 WHIP)
Is Manoah really back to his dominant 2022 form? The jury is still out on that one. After two outings without surrendering an earned run, Manoah was tagged for four against the Detroit Tigers last time out and he didn’t make it through the fifth inning. Detroit took him deep twice and ran his pitch count up to just below 100 very quickly. However, this is a great spot for the big righty to get back on track against Chicago’s soft bats.
Chicago: RHP Chris Flexen (2-4, 5.69 ERA, 6.61 K/9, 1.37 WHIP)
Flexen hasn’t pitched past the fifth inning in each of his last three forgettable starts. The right-hander has been torched for 14 earned runs during that stretch, although two of those outings came against the potent bats of the Baltimore Orioles and New York Yankees. The Yankees really roughed him up earlier this month, swatting two homers en route to putting up eight runs – seven earned – on the board. Toronto’s bats are also hot right now, which means it could be another short outing for Flexen.
Weather
Forecasts are calling for clear skies and temperatures around 14 C at first pitch. Winds will be blowing from left field to right field at 11 mph.
MLB betting trends
- The White Sox are 0-7 straight-up and 0-7 on the runline in the last seven games.
- The Blue Jays haven’t scored a run in the first inning in 20 consecutive games.
MLB player prop trends
- Blue Jays third baseman Isiah Kiner-Falefa has hit safely in seven straight games. He’s -220 to get a hit.
- Schneider has driven in at least one run in five straight games, compiling eight RBIs during that span. He’s +145 to record at least one RBI.
Blue Jays vs. White Sox predictions
- It was a late night for both teams after they endured two rain delays on Tuesday so don’t be surprised if the starting lineups include some bench players on Wednesday to give the regulars a rest. And with both of these teams scheduled for a day off Thursday, it might be worth taking a look at the under 8.5 runs (-120). Chicago isn’t hitting anything right now and the Jays will be anxious to score a quick win and then head back home to the Rogers Centre before Friday’s series opener with the Pirates.
- Blue Jays runline -1.5 (-105). If you take a quick glance at Toronto’s roster against Flexen in the past, you’ll see six players with an OPS over 1.000 and seven different players with a homer against him. The Blue Jays have momentum and should complete the sweep Wednesday, winning by two runs or more.
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