White Sox vs Rays Predictions, Odds & Same-Game Parlay (April 21)

• The White Sox vs Rays odds list Tampa Bay as -170 moneyline favorites on Friday
• Tampa Bay is an MLB best 16-3, with a +83 run differential through 19 games
• See the White Sox vs Rays predictions below, plus same-game parlay picks

So much for the Rays slump. After racing out to a historic 13-0 start, Tampa Bay dropped three of their next four games prompting pundits to question just how dominant they really are. Well, the Rays (16-3, 10-0 home) have made an emphatic statement over their last two games, outscoring their opponents 18-0.

Online sportsbooks expect Tampa Bay’s impressive play to continue in Friday’s MLB odds, as they begin a three-game set with the White Sox (7-12, 4-6 away).

 White Sox vs Rays Odds

The Rays are currently -170 moneyline favorites, in a contest that features a total of 8.5. First pitch is scheduled for 6:40 pm ET inside Tropicana Field, in St. Petersburg, Florida, a stadium where Tampa Bay is 10-0 at this season.

Odds as of April 20 at FanDuel. Claim the FanDuel Sportsbook promo code.

Chicago vs Tampa Bay Probable Pitchers

The Rays enter play with the sixth shortest World Series odds at +1000, after starting the season with a price tag more than twice as long. They’ll use reliever Calvin Faucher as an opener on Friday, as the team is dealing with injuries to two of their top-four starters.

You might think the White Sox batters in the MLB starting lineups would have an advantage facing nothing but relievers, but that couldn’t be further from the truth. Tampa Bay’s bullpen owns a collective 2.89 ERA, and a 75.5% strand rate.

They’ve induced the lowest batting average on balls in play of any group of relievers, while only two bullpens have surrendered a lower home run rate.

Kopech vs Faucher Stats

Chicago meanwhile, will turn Michael Kopech who’s been hit as hard as anyone in baseball. The 26-year-old has coughed up seven home runs in three starts, allowing 11 total runs over 15.2 innings.

The long ball has never been a major problem for him in the past, but his control has. Kopech averaged roughly a base on balls every two innings last season, and so far in 2023 his walk rate is even higher. He’s issued 10 free passes already, just five fewer than his total amount of strikeouts.

Putting runners on base is a recipe for disaster against Tampa Bay, and if Kopech can’t keep the ball down in the strike zone, the Rays batters will absolutely tee off on him.

White Sox vs Rays Betting Trends

Tampa Bay is averaging seven runs per game thus far. That’s nearly a full run more than anyone else, and they’ve scored at least eight runs more times (10) than the White Sox have wins (7).

The Rays also lead the league in home runs with 42, nine more than any other club. As a result, they boast an MLB best .542 slugging percentage and an absurd .903 OPS. Despite the ridiculous numbers, you can’t point to one dominant bat. No Tampa Bay hitter has more than six home runs or more than 18 RBI. They’re getting production from every spot in the lineup, which is incredibly dangerous.

Thought we'd just pick up where we left off last night pic.twitter.com/fwqNXTBQpo

— Tampa Bay Rays (@RaysBaseball) April 19, 2023

Chicago on the other hand, ranks below league average in most offensive categories. That includes runs, home runs, on base percentage and slugging percentage. They’ve dropped six of their last eight outings coming in, scoring four or fewer runs seven times.

White Sox vs Rays Predictions

This is a major mismatch and Tampa Bay would be favored by plenty more if they weren’t throwing a bullpen game. Nevertheless, expect their home dominance to continue.

The Rays have a +58 run differential at home, and boast a slash line of .287/.377/.573 at the Trop. If that wasn’t enough incentive to back them on Friday, it should be noted that their pitching at home has been nearly as impressive.

White Sox vs Rays Same-Game Parlay

Tampa Bay pitchers have a 2.00 ERA in their own stadium and a 0.83 WHIP. They’re averaging 4.59 strikeouts for every walk, and have limited enemy hitters to a .168 batting average, and a .260 slugging percentage.

Pick: Same Game Parlay (+105)