The Tampa Bay Rays (16-3) and their league-best lineup are set to host the Chicago White Sox (7-12) at Tropicana Field on Friday for the first of a three-game series. The White Sox are kicking off a six-game road trip after closing out a tough six-game homestand (2-4).
They won only one out of four in their last series against the Phillies, dropping the finale 5-2 on Wednesday at Guaranteed Rate Field. Andrew Vaughn was 2 for 4 with a home run and two RBIs. The Rays are playing the first of six games at home after concluding a six-game road trip (3-3).
They won two of three against the Reds in their last series, taking the finale 8-0 on Wednesday at Great American Ball Park. Yandy Diaz went 2 for 4 with a solo home run.
The teams are meeting for the first time this season. In 2022, the White Sox won four of the six games between the teams, including two out of three in their most recent meeting at Tropicana Field in June.
ON THE MOUND
Michael Kopech (0-2, 6.32 ERA) is in line for the start for Chicago. The right-hander allowed three runs over five innings in his last start, a 7-6 road win over the Orioles on Saturday. He gave up six hits while striking out four and walking four in the no-decision. Kopech made one start against the Rays in 2022, a 3-2 home victory on April 16.
He surrendered one run on one hit over five innings, striking out five and walking two. For Tampa Bay, righty Calvin Faucher (0-0, 4.15 ERA) takes the mound.
Faucher made one appearance against the White Sox in 2022, throwing one innings in a 6-3 home win on June 3. He gave up two hits with no walks and no strikeouts.
In his last start on Saturday, Faucher took a no-decision on the road against the Blue Jays. He threw 2.2 innings and gave up one run on two hits, striking out two and walking one in the 5-2 loss.
AT THE PLATE
The Chicago offense is averaging 4.4 runs per game for the season, with a slash line of .251/.304/.400. Luis Robert Jr. leads the team in OPS at .822. The right fielder is slashing .263/.282/.539 with five home runs, 13 RBIs, and 13 runs over 18 games.
Against right-handed pitchers like Faucher this season, the Sox have a .700 OPS. Yasmani Grandal is the team’s best hitter against right-handers with a .900 OPS in 44 at-bats.
Tampa Bay is slashing .288/.360/.542 for the season and averaging 7.0 runs per game, best in MLB. Four Rays hitters have an OPS of .800 or better, led by Brandon Lowe (1.018).
The third baseman has five home runs, 13 RBIs, and 15 runs scored with a slash line of .294/.410/.608. Tampa Bay is averaging only 5.8 runs per game in the last five with their slugging percentage dropping to .489. The Rays have ann .890 OPS against right-handers in 2023, highest in the league. With a 1.262 OPS over 39 at-bats, Josh Lowe has been their best hitter against right-handers.
HOME AND AWAY
Chicago is 4-6 on the road in 2023, scoring 4.4 runs per game while allowing 4.6 runs. Tampa Bay has won 10 in a row in front of their home fans.
The Rays are 10-0 at home this season, averaging 7.8 runs per game while surrendering 2.0. In the last 10 games at Tropicana Field between the teams, Chicago is 6-4 despite an average scoreline favoring Tampa Bay (4.9-4.4).
SportsTips’ MLB Pick:
TB Rays (-175)
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*Odds correct at time of publication, courtesy of BetMGM.
