Chicago (35-65) vs Tampa Bay (52-48)
July 21, 2025 at 07:35 PM EDT
The Line: Betting Odds: Tampa Bay -1.5 — Over/Under: +9
In this article, we will formulate a White Sox vs Rays prediction for this MLB game on Monday, July 21, at George M. Steinbrenner Field in Tampa, Florida. Let’s take a look at the prediction for this MLB matchup.
Chicago White Sox Betting Preview
The Chicago White Sox (35-65, 14-36 Away) opened the second half of the season in style after securing their first sweep of the campaign by defeating the Pittsburgh Pirates in three games on the road. Chicago scored ten runs in Game 1 and Game 2, while they recorded a 7-2 victory on Sunday to clinch the series. Miguel Vargas and Mike Tauchman led the offense with three RBI apiece, while Aaron Civale got the win after allowing one run (not earned) on three hits with six strikeouts and one walk across 6.0 innings of work.
This season, the White Sox average 3.59 runs per game (27th in the MLB) on a .223/.298/.351 triple-slash. When it comes to pitching, the White Sox’s staff has a 4.07 ERA (19th) and 1.37 WHIP (25th). Miguel Vargas leads the White Sox with a .222 batting average, 11 home runs, and 38 RBI this season.
Sean Burke will take the mound for the White Sox on Monday. The 25-year-old right-hander has a 4-8 record in 16 starts this year with a 4.36 ERA and 1.40 WHIP in 97.0 innings.
Tampa Bay Rays Betting Preview
The Tampa Bay Rays (52-48, 30-26 Home) were swept in the final series of the first half by the Boston Red Sox, but responded with a series win over the Baltimore Orioles at home. Tampa had a chance to sweep the O’s, but lost Game 3 on Sunday, 5-3. Three batters had an RBI apiece, while Ryan Pepiot took the loss after allowing five runs on six hits with eight strikeouts and one walk in 6.0 innings.
This year, the Rays average 4.67 runs per game (9th in the MLB) on a .258/.320/.406 triple-slash. When it comes to pitching, the Rays’ staff has a 3.75 ERA (10th) and 1.20 WHIP (3rd). Junior Caminero leads the Rays with a .259 batting average, 25 home runs, and 65 RBI this season.
The projected starting pitcher for the Rays is Shane Baz, who is 8-5 in 19 starts this season, with a 4.17 ERA and 1.25 WHIP in 110.0 innings.
Total Runs Facts
Nine of the White Sox’s last 10 games against AL East opponents have gone UNDER the total runs line.
Five of the Rays’ last six games after playing the previous day have gone UNDER the total runs line.
The ‘Inning 1 UNDER 0.5 runs’ market has hit in each of the last six night games between the White Sox and Rays.
The ‘Inning 1 UNDER 0.5 runs’ market has hit in each of the White Sox’s last four games against AL East opponents.
Matchup/League Facts
The Rays rank 4th in the league for hits this season (870).
The Rays are one of only four teams in the league to rank top 10 in both steals and batting average this season.
The White Sox rank 29th in the league for slugging percentage this season (.351).
The White Sox rank 29th in the league for strikeouts this season (720).
White Sox vs Rays Prediction
The teams have traded wins in the past couple of years, each recording five in the previous ten H2H encounters. Seven of Tampa Bay’s last ten games went Under, which is one of the reasons I expect a low-scoring affair today. Another reason is a pitching matchup. Sean Burke kept the opponents to two or fewer runs in four of his previous five starts, and he shouldn’t allow more than three in this one. Shane Baz, on the other hand, improved in the last two months following a disastrous May. He recorded four consecutive quality starts and surrendered only seven runs in that span. He’s the reason I am leaning toward the Rays, but I don’t like the low odds, so I’ll go with Under.