Dodgers vs. White Sox Prediction and Odds for Tuesday, June 7 (Surprising Line Gives Dodgers Value)
By Joe Summers
Before the season, this series would have been billed as a potential World Series preview. Instead, it's a matchup between two struggling teams as the 25-27 Chicago White Sox host the 35-19 Los Angeles Dodgers at 8:10 PM EST tonight.
The Dodgers are still World Series favorites and have looked the part most of the year, but they're just 2-5 over their last seven and hope Mitch White can get them back on track today. Transitioning from reliever to starter, White has a 4.86 ERA in his new role and ranks in only the 23rd percentile in expected ERA.
Chicago has been perhaps the biggest disappointment in MLB, sitting third in the weak AL Central. They've won two straight after a four-game losing streak though, so maybe better times are ahead. Michael Kopech gets the nod after imploding against Toronto last week. In three innings, he gave up five runs and issued four walks, including two with the bases loaded.
Can Kopech rebound and give Chicago a third consecutive win or will the Dodgers' lineup prove too deadly and give White his first win as a starter?
Let's check out the odds from WynnBET Sportsbook to help find the value in this Dodgers vs White Sox matchup:
Dodgers vs White Sox Odds, Run Line and Total
Run Line:
- Dodgers -1.5 (+127)
- White Sox +1.5 (-155)
Moneyline:
- Dodgers: -121
- White Sox: +111
Total:
- 8.5 (Over -105/Under -115)
Dodgers vs White Sox Prediction and Pick
This is the lowest price I can remember on the Dodgers all season and you bet I am thrilled to back Los Angeles against the disappointing White Sox. Seriously, what has the poorly-managed, injury-riddled Chicago club done to justify this price?
The White Sox have been bad all year. Just go through the list with me:
Offense? Chicago ranks 28th in OPS against right-handed pitchers.
Defense? Chicago has -18 Outs Above Average, the worst mark in the American League.
Bullpen? Chicago has the fourth-worst bullpen ERA in the AL.
Okay, so surely starter Michael Kopech must be so dominant that he'll keep this game competitive and justify the odds? Um, not quite. His 4.67 expected FIP (Fielding Independent Pitching) implies he's been quite lucky to amass a 2.20 ERA this season, and Kopech's biggest issues happen to align with the Dodgers' biggest strengths.
Kopech is in the 12th percentile in walk rate as his command can be disastrous. At least once a start, it looks like his controller is dying and he just forgets where the strike zone is. That's bad news against a Los Angeles lineup that averages the most walks per game in the leauge.
The Dodgers have the most ferocious offense in MLB and will make Kopech pay for his mistakes. They're 11-4 in their last 15 as a road favorite while the White Sox are 1-5 in their last six as an underdog. Honestly, a dominant Kopech start is the only way to envision Chicago winning, but there's a plethora of paths that could lead to a Dodgers victory.
Back Los Angeles at a shockingly-low price and be thankful oddsmakers haven't yet realized that the White Sox just aren't good.
Pick: Dodgers (-121)
Follow all of Joe Summers' betting picks here.