The Tampa Bay Rays (21-5) are on the road to face the Chicago White Sox (7-19) at Guaranteed Rate Field on Friday. The Rays took Thursday’s series opener 14-5, their fourth straight head-to-head victory, including all four games this season.
Starter Shane McClanahan went five innings, giving up two runs on five hits and striking out five, to get the win. Brandon Lowe was 3 for 4 with a home run and a triple in the win.
He scored three runs and had three RBIs. Yandy Diaz went 3 for 5 with a home run and two runs. Jake Burger went 2 for 3 with a home run and a double for the White Sox. He scored two runs and had two RBIs. Adam Haseley added a double, one run, and one RBI.
ON THE MOUND
Zach Eflin (3-0, 2.81 ERA) is in line for the start for Tampa Bay. The righty faces the White Sox in back-to-back starts. He allowed one run over five innings on Sunday, a 4-1 road win. He was credited with the win, scattering three hits while striking out four.
RHP Lucas Giolito (1-2, 4.50 ERA) takes the mound for Chicago. His only prior start against the Rays this season was his last outing, when Giolito gave up four runs over seven innings in a 4-1 road defeat on Sunday. He gave up five hits and walked two, while striking out five in the loss.
AT THE PLATE
Over the last five games, Tampa Bay has averaged only 5.2 runs a game, down from their season average of 6.6, while slashing worse across the board (.253/.319/.428). Against right-handed pitchers like Giolito this season, the Rays have an .857 OPS, highest in MLB.
Josh Lowe is the team’s biggest slugger against right-handers with a .661 SLG in 70 at-bats. Chicago is averaging only 1.6 runs per game in the last five, down from 3.9 for the season, with their slash line dropping across the board (.157/.198/.239).
The Sox have a .659 OPS against right-handers in 2023. With a .863 OPS over 56 at-bats, Yasmani Grandal has been their best hitter against right-handers.
HOME AND AWAY
Tampa Bay is on a three-game winning streak in road games, bringing their record to 7-3 in 2023. The Rays have scored 6.9 runs per game away from home, while allowing 3.5 runs.
Chicago has gone 3-7 in front of their home fans this season, averaging 4.4 runs per game while surrendering 7.7. In the last 10 games at Guaranteed Rate Field between the teams, Tampa Bay is 6-4 with an average scoreline of 6.3-3.4.
STANDINGS UPDATE
The Rays lead the AL East by three games over the Orioles. The White Sox are fourth in the AL Central, eight games behind the Twins.
SportsTips’ MLB Pick:
TB Rays (-150)
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*Odds correct at time of publication, courtesy of BetMGM.
