The Chicago White Sox are running away with the American League Central. They own a 10.5-game lead over second-place Cleveland and are the only team in the division with a positive run differential.
Now, they carry a three-game winning streak into a series with the basement-dwelling Minnesota Twins. The White Sox hand the ball to Lucas Giolito for the opener, but he has not been at his best lately, so is he worth the roughly -200 MLB betting price tag in this matchup?
Check out our free picks and predictions for White Sox vs. Twins on Monday, August 9.
White Sox vs Twins game info
• Location: Target Field, Minneapolis, MN
• Date: Monday, August 9, 2021
• Time: 8:10 p.m. ET
• TV: ESPN
White Sox vs Twins odds
Odds via the Covers Line, an average comprised of odds from multiple sportsbooks.
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White Sox vs Twins betting preview
Starting pitchers
Lucas Giolito (8-8, 3.98 ERA): Giolito goes through stretches where he looks unhittable but far too often, he has games where he loses his release point and struggles. The right-hander is coming off a start where he allowed six runs on eight hits against the Royals.
Beau Burrows (0-0, 11.00 ERA): The rookie right-hander is set to make his first career start after making four long-relief appearances for the Twins since coming over from the Tigers. The 24-year-old relies mostly on a fastball and slider combo to get batters out.
Weather
Be sure to monitor the gametime conditions with our MLB weather info.
Key injuries
White Sox: Yasmani Grandal C (Out), Luis Robert OF (Out), Evan Marshall RP (Out).
Twins: Josh Donaldson 3B (Questionable), Derek Law RP (Questionable), Bryon Buxton CF (Out), Luke Farrell RP (Out), Randy Dobnak RP (Out), Devin Smeltzer RP (Out), Joe Harvey RP (Out), Taylor Rogers RP (Out).
Find our latest MLB injury reports.
Betting trend to know
The White Sox are 12-4 in 16 meetings against the Twins this season. Find more MLB betting trends for White Sox vs. Twins.
Runline pick
The White Sox come into this AL Central battle on a three-game winning streak, but the Twins aren’t feeling too bad about themselves either after taking three of four from the Astros in Houston. While Chicago has lost Giolito’s last three starts he is in a good position to bounce back.
The right-hander has struggled on the road at points this season but has 2.07 ERA and a 1.38 WHIP over his last three starts away from home. He also has a 2.57 ERA and a 1.14 WHIP in two starts against the Twins this season. Now, he faces a Twins lineup that ranks 19th in the MLB in batting average when facing right-handed pitching.
A big part of the Twins' success in the series against the Astros was their starting pitching. They got at least five innings from all four starters in that series. That likely won’t be the case in Burrows' first career start. Then he will have to hand the ball to a bullpen that ranks 26th in ERA and 27th in opponent batting average.
On top of that, in the White Sox’s 12 wins against the Twins this season they have covered the runline 10 times. The Pale Hose runline is likely the best value bet in this one.
PREDICTION: White Sox -1.5 (-125)
Over/Under pick
The total for this matchup hit the board at an even 10, and at first glance, that seems a little high with Giolito on the bump. Yes, he does have his issues at times, but if he is on, he can be one of the most dominant pitchers in the American League.
When he is on, he also works deep into games and averages nearly six innings per start. Then, the White Sox can quickly hand the ball to their best relievers like Craig Kimbrell and Liam Hendricks. While the Twins have a solid offense, they have struggled a little more against the White Sox, plating just over four runs per game in their 16 meetings this season
The White Sox should score some in this one, but the Twins won’t do enough to send this one Over. Bet this one to sneak below the total.
PREDICTION: Under 10 (-110)
White Sox vs Twins betting card
- White Sox -1.5 (-125)
- Under 10 (-110)
Picks made on 8/9/2021 at 2:00 p.m. ET
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