It’s a quick turnaround for the Chicago White Sox after losing 7-6 to the Chicago Cubs on Wednesday night. The Pale Hose return home to face the Boston Red Sox looking to snap a 13-game losing skid that’s kept them in the MLB basement.
Boston sends breakout starter Tanner Houck to toe the rubber, and he headlines my Red Sox vs. White Sox predictions.
Here are our free MLB picks for Game 1 between the Red Sox and White Sox on Thursday, June 6.
Red Sox vs White Sox prediction
My best bet
Tanner Houck Over 18.5 outs (+135 at BetRivers)
Best odds available in your region
My analysis
The Chicago White Sox have the worst wOBA (.276) and wRC+ (77) against right-handed pitchers in the majors, and Boston Red Sox starter Tanner Houck has been a force since abandoning his four-seam fastball over the winter.
Houck has averaged 96 pitchers per start this season, and he’s recorded 17 or more outs in five of his past nine trips to the bump. His 1.85 ERA ranks third among qualified starters, and Houck has backed it up with an eighth-ranked 2.89 xFIP across 78 innings — the 10th most in the majors.
In addition to an improved pitch mix, Houck has also cut down on his free passes, which has helped him pitch deeper into games. His walk rate is down to 4.8% from an 8.9% mark last year, and the White Sox are fourth last with a 7.3% walk rate against righties.
Of course, it also helps that the White Sox have multiple everyday players injured, and Houck holds the platoon advantage over a heavy right-handed hitting lineup, sporting a nasty 2.48 xFIP and 25.9% strikeout-to-walk rate against hand-handed lumber this season.
Red Sox vs White Sox same-game parlay (SGP)
Tanner Houck Over 18.5 outs
Tanner Houck to record the win
Considering the Red Sox are -150 on the -1.5 run line at bet365, betting Houck to record the win is an alternative correlated leg to provide longer odds for this same-game parlay. Houck pitching deep into the game gives the Boston offense extra time to build a lead, and the bullpen has been solid with a ninth-ranked 3.57 ERA and fifth-ranked 3.63 xFIP.
Additionally, Chicago righty Jake Woodford is making just his second big-league start this season, and he wasn’t sharp in Triple-A with a 5.26 ERA across 10 appearances. Woodford also allowed three runs through just 4 1/3 innings in his season debut against the Toronto Blue Jays last Tuesday, and I expect Boston to put runs on the board against him Thursday.
Learn how to bet a same-game parlay with these helpful tips and strategies.
Red Sox vs White Sox odds
Red Sox vs White Sox live odds
Red Sox vs White Sox opening odds
- Run line: Boston -1.5 (-140) | Chicago +1.5 (+120)
- Moneyline: Boston -220 | Chicago +180
- Over/Under: Over 8 (-120) | Under 8 (+100)
Red Sox vs White Sox spread and Over/Under analysis
- Boston is the largest favorite on today's MLB docket, and there has been consensus movement to the Red Sox side of this moneyline.
- Pinnacle opened Boston -208, and the number has moved to -233 as of Thursday morning.
- The total has also been on the move across the industry. Pinnacle opened at 8.0 with the Over at -115 on Wednesday evening, and it moved to 9.0 for multiple stretches before returning to 8.5 with a -121 vig on the Over.
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Red Sox vs White Sox trend
The White Sox have lost 13 consecutive games. Find more MLB betting trends for Red Sox vs. White Sox
Red Sox vs White Sox game info
| Location: | Guaranteed Rate Field, Chicago, IL |
| Date: | Thursday, 6-6-2024 |
| First pitch: | 8:10 p.m. ET |
| TV: | NESN, NBC Sports Chicago |
| Red Sox starting pitcher: | Tanner Houck (5-5, 1.85 ERA) |
| White Sox starting pitcher: | Jake Woodford (0-1, 6.23 ERA) |
Red Sox vs White Sox latest injuries
Red Sox vs White Sox weather
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