Free MLB Picks Today: Chicago White Sox vs Boston Red Sox 6/23/23

The Boston Red Sox (39-37) take one of the best lineups in the American League on the road to face the Chicago White Sox (32-44) at Guaranteed Rate Field on Friday to open a three-game series.

The Red Sox are in the midst of a seven-game road trip. They split their last series against the Twins, dropping the finale 6-0 on Thursday at Target Field. Rafael Devers was 1 for 3. The White Sox are in the midst of a six-game homestand.

They lost two of three against the Rangers in their last series, dropping the finale 6-3 on Wednesday at Guaranteed Rate Field. Andrew Vaughn went 1 for 4 with a solo home run.

The teams are meeting for the first time this season. Last season, the White Sox won four of the six games between the teams, although they dropped two out of three in their most recent meeting at Guaranteed Rate Field in May.

ON THE MOUND

Brayan Bello (4-4, 3.49 ERA) is set to get the start for Boston. The right-hander allowed one run over seven innings in his last start, a 4-1 road win over the Yankees on Sunday. He got the win, scattering four hits while striking out eight and walking three.

Righty Lucas Giolito (5-4, 3.54 ERA) gets the start for Chicago. Giolito made one start against the Red Sox in 2022, throwing six innings in a 3-1 home win on May 25. He gave up five hits and walked four while striking out seven in the win.

In his last start on Saturday, Giolito took a no-decision on the road against the Mariners. He threw five innings and gave up three runs (2 ER) on eight hits, striking out five and walking three in the 4-3 win.

AT THE PLATE

The Boston offense is averaging 5.1 runs per game for the season, third-best in the AL, with a slash line of .265/.337/.434. Masataka Yoshida leads the team in OPS at .866.

The left fielder is slashing .308/.380/.486 with eight home runs, 39 RBIs, and 39 runs over 66 games. Against right-handed pitchers like Giolito this season, the Sox have a .769 OPS, the fifth highest in MLB.

Alex Verdugo is the team’s strongest performer against right-handers with a .894 OPS in 198 at-bats. Chicago is slashing .234/.292/.389 for the season and averaging 4.1 runs per game. Luis Robert Jr. leads the team with a .855 OPS.

The center fielder has 18 home runs, 38 RBIs, and 48 runs scored with a slash line of .263/.322/.533. The Sox have a .667 OPS against right-handers in 2023, the fourth lowest in MLB. With a .757 OPS over 220 at-bats, Robert Jr. also has been their best hitter against right-handers.

HOME AND AWAY

Boston is 18-19 in away games in 2023, scoring 4.2 runs per game while allowing 4.4 runs. Chicago has gone 18-19 at home this season, averaging 4.2 runs per game while surrendering 5.1. In the last 10 games at Guaranteed Rate Field between the teams, Boston is 6-4 with an average scoreline of 8.0-3.8.

STANDINGS UPDATE

The Red Sox are fifth in the AL East, 12 games behind the division-leading Rays. The White Sox are fourth in the AL Central, five games behind the Twins.