MLB Predictions Preview …The Chicago White Sox, in the midst of a pennant race, are leading the Minnesota Twins by a half-game in the AL Central Division standings. Monday the White Sox head out on the road for a three-game series with the Baltimore Orioles with hopes of keeping their slim divisional lead in tacked. The White Sox plan to start rookie left hander Clayton Richard (1-2, 6.75 ERA). The Orioles will counter with lefty Chris Waters (2-0, 4.98).
MLB Predictions Betting Line …Online oddsmakers at Sportsbook.com currently have the White Sox listed as – 121 money line favorites versus the Orioles, while the game's total is sitting at 11½. The Orioles are getting +111 money line odds as a home underdog.
In his last start, Richard earned his first Major League win with a dominating performance against the Mariners. The left-hander scattered five hits over six shutout innings. He struck out only two batters but issued just one free pass. In his next start, Richard will be facing the Orioles for the first time in his career. Of his four starts, the two at home were much better than the two on the road. Richard gave up nine runs in 4 1/3 innings at Kansas City on Aug. 3.
Waters has yet to follow up his dazzling Major League debut with anything even close to that eight-inning, one-hit performance, but he did show improvement in his last outing when he was able to overcome a shaky first two innings — where he allowed four runs — to settle down, get through five, and take home his second Major League win. He was given enough cushion to work with — the Orioles scored 11 runs in support of the left-hander — and was able to regain command of his fastball and challenge hitters in the third, fourth and fifth innings.
The White Sox defeated Tampa Bay 6-5 as a -165 favorite on Sunday. The 11 runs scored went OVER the posted over/under total (9.5).
Alexei Ramirez drove in the winning run in the bottom of the tenth inning for the White Sox, while Jim Thome was 3-4 with a home run and two RBI in the win.
The Orioles lost to the Yankees 8-7 as a +100 underdog on Sunday. The 15 runs scored went OVER the posted over/under total (11).
Brian Roberts and Aubrey Huff were both 3-5 with a home run and two RBI for Baltimore in the loss.
MLB Prediction …the Sox are playing good ball right now while the Orioles have little to play for. Take the White Sox -121 ML.
