Chicago White Sox at Minnesota Twins Betting Preview
The Chicago White Sox are trying to chase down the Minnesota Twins for first place in the AL Central. They’ll have a great opportunity to close the five-game gap as a four-game set gets underway at Target Field on Thursday night.
Minnesota is a -160 favorite as they try to build off Wednesday’s 4-1 walkoff win over the Brewers. Chicago (+134) comes into this series of a victory as well, beating Cleveland 2-1 on Wednesday to capture a four-game split. The White Sox have lost five straight games in the Twin Cities.
Sox Staying Afloat
Chicago has split consecutive four-game series with Detroit and Cleveland, so they’re not gaining any ground but also not falling back in the standings either. The White Sox did drop two of three at home to the Twins from July 4th-6th and are just 1-5 against the division leaders this year.
Chicago did pull out a 2-1 win on Wednesday as Lucas Giolito pitched into the 7th inning and did not allow an earned run. Johnny Cueto (3-4, 2.91 ERA) would take a similar performance on Thursday, and he has momentum following 8.0 IP of shutout ball last time out vs. the Tigers.
Cueto faced Minnesota on the 4th of July, giving up 2 ER over 6.0 IP. The Twins defense had a triple play in that game and scored four runs in the 10th inning for a 6-3 victory as Cueto got a no decision.
Twins Back on Track?
Minnesota was not able to pick up the sweep losing 9-8 last Wednesday against the White Sox. They then dropped two of three in Arlington to the Rangers but were able to salvage a two-game split with Milwaukee thanks to a Jose Miranda three-run HR off Josh Hader in the bottom of the 9th inning on Wednesday.
Now the Twins try to continue their dominance over the White Sox, who they have beaten in seven of the last eight meetings dating back to last season. MLB batting leader Luis Arraez has gone 2-3 with two doubles in his career against Cueto, so he has a good chance to add to his .346 mark in the series opener.
Sonny Gray (4-2, 3.03 ERA) looks for a rebound start after allowing 5ER over just 5.2 IP while picking up the loss against the Rangers. Gray is 2-0 with a 2.83 ERA at home this season.
White Sox vs. Twins Pick and Prediction
Chicago can close the gap between themselves and the Twins with a good weekend – but the Twins can also push them down in the standings heading into the All-Star break and possibly have Sox management considering a managerial change.
The South Siders have lost five straight at Target Field, and there should be an energetic crowd in attendance as Minnesota heads into the All-Star break in the first place. Have to go with the Twins in this spot.
Pick: Twins -1.5 (+125)
