Aug. 2, 2026, 6:50 a.m. ET
The Chicago White Sox (58-52) and Tampa Bay Rays (65-45) close out their 3-game series in St. Petersburg, Florida, on Sunday. First pitch from Tropicana Field is at 1:40 p.m. ET. Let’s analyze MLB odds around the White Sox vs. Rays odds and make our expert MLB picks and predictions for the best bets.
Season series: Rays lead 4-1
The White Sox lead the AL Central by 3 games over the Cleveland Guardians and Minnesota Twins. After winning the series opener 6-1 Friday, they had their 3-game winning streak snapped in a 1-0 loss Saturday. Rookie SP Noah Schultz took the loss, allowing the only run of the game in 5 innings of work, falling to 3-8. The offense was held to 5 singles, 2 by C Edgar Quero.
The Rays lead the AL East, holding a 3 1/2-game lead over the New York Yankees. They have won 9 of their last 12 games. C Nick Fortes’ RBI single in the fifth inning drove in the only run of the game. The Rays were held to only 5 hits. SP Drew Rasmussen (6 IP, 0 ER, 4 H, 1 BB, 10 K) picked up his 10th win, and closer Bryan Baker earned his 31st save.
Watch MLB on Fubo!White Sox at Rays projected starters
LHP Anthony Kay vs. RHP Griffin Jax
Kay (7-5, 4.25 ERA) makes his 21st start and 23rd appearance. He has a 1.36 WHIP, 3.6 BB/9 and 7.6 K/9 in 103 2/3 innings.
Last start: Loss, 5 1/3 IP, 3 ER, 3 H, 1 BB, 7 K in 3-2 home loss to New York Yankees TuesdayLast game vs. Rays (April 16): No-decision, 2 2/3 IP, 1 ER, 4 H, 1 BB, 1 K in relief in 5-3 loss in ChicagoCareer vs. Rays: 0-0, 3.86 ERA (21 IP, 9 ER), 1.67 WHIP, 8.1 K/9 in 8 games (2 starts)2026 road splits: 2-2, 5.56 ERA (45 1/3 IP, 28 ER), 1.46 WHIP, 7.7 K/9 in 10 starts
Jax (6-8, 3.74 ERA) makes his 18th start and 29th appearance. He has a 1.24 WHIP, 3.1 BB/9 and 9.6 K/9 in 86 2/3 innings.
Last start: Loss, 5 2/3 IP, 1 ER (2 R), 5 H, 3 BB, 10 K in 4-1 home loss to Texas Rangers TuesdayLast game vs. White Sox (April 16): No-decision, 2/3 IP, 0 ER, 1 H, 1 BB, 1 K in 5-3 win in Chicago in reliefCareer vs. White Sox: 3-2, 2.81 ERA (41 2/3 IP, 13 ER), 1.08 WHIP, 10.2 K/9 in 33 games (3 starts)2026 home splits: 3-3, 3.40 ERA (42 1/3 IP, 16 ER), 1.13 WHIP, 11.9 K/9 in 12 games (9 starts)White Sox at Rays odds
Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 6:43 a.m. ET.
Moneyline (ML): White Sox +125 (bet $100 to win $125) | Rays -155 (bet $155 to win $100)Run line (RL)/Against the spread (ATS): White Sox +1.5 (-175) | Rays -1.5 (+145)Over/Under (O/U): 8 (O: +100 | U: -120)
Slide into: BaseballHQ.com for your fantasy baseball news. For decades, BHQ has been helping players just like you win! BHQ offers full-season subscriptions. Sign up today!
White Sox at Rays picks and predictionsPrediction
Rays 5, White Sox 2
The White Sox are 24-31 on the road, although they have won 5 of their last 8 away games.
The Rays’ 41-17 home record is the best in baseball. They are 8-2-1 in their last 11 series. They have only lost 3 games in their last 12.
Expect the Rays to win, but Tampa is a solid bet to cover.
PASS.
The Rays are 25-16 ATS as home favorites, per Teamrankings.com. Three of their 4 wins over Chicago have been by more than 1 run. Nineteen of their last 22 wins have been by 2 or more runs.
The White Sox are 27-16 ATS as away underdogs and their last 4 losses with Kay pitching have only been by 1 run, but 4 of their last 6 losses have been by 2 or more runs.
BET RAYS -1.5 (+145).
Nine of the Rays’ last 10 games, including their last 7, have not reached 8 total runs. Four of both Jax’s and Kay’s last 5 starts have had totals of 7 or fewer runs.
The Rays are 47-61 O/U this season.
BET UNDER 8 (-120).
For more sports betting picks and tips, check out SportsbookWire.com and BetFTW.
Follow SportsbookWire on Twitter/X and like us on Facebook.
Our editors independently choose our recommendations. Some content is produced with paid support from a third party, however our editorial decisions remain independent. If you buy through our links, the USA TODAY Network may earn a commission. Prices and availability may change.
Gambling involves risk. Please only gamble with funds that you can comfortably afford to lose. While we do our utmost to offer good advice and information we cannot be held responsible for any loss that may be incurred as a result of gambling. We do our best to make sure all the information that we provide on this site is correct. However, from time to time mistakes will be made and we will not be held liable. Please check any stats or information if you are unsure how accurate they are. No guarantees are made with regards to results or financial gain. All forms of betting carry financial risk and it is up to the individual to make bets with or without the assistance of information provided on this site and we cannot be held responsible for any loss that may be incurred as a result of following the betting tips provided on this site. Past performances do not guarantee success in the future and betting odds fluctuate from one minute to the next. The material contained on this site is intended to inform, entertain and educate the reader and in no way represents an inducement to gamble legally or illegally or any sort of professional advice.
Gannett may earn revenue from sports betting operators for audience referrals to betting services. Sports betting operators have no influence over nor are any such revenues in any way dependent on or linked to the newsrooms or news coverage. Terms apply, see operator site for Terms and Conditions. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, help is available. Call the National Council on Problem Gambling 24/7 at 1-800-GAMBLER (NJ, OH), 1-800-522-4700 (CO), 1-800-BETS-OFF (IA), 1-800-9-WITH-IT (IN). Must be 21 or older to gamble. Sports betting and gambling are not legal in all locations. Be sure to comply with laws applicable where you reside. It is your sole responsibility to act in accordance with your local laws.
Prediction Markets: Certain prediction markets are event contracts regulated by the U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) or other applicable regulatory authorities and are legally distinct from traditional gambling and sports betting. Eligibility requirements to participate in prediction markets differ from those for sports betting and gambling — you may be required to be 18 or older (or such other age as the applicable platform requires) and to satisfy other eligibility criteria established by the relevant platform and governing law. Prediction market trading involves financial risk and may not be available in all jurisdictions. The legal and regulatory status of prediction markets varies by jurisdiction and by platform. It is your sole responsibility to confirm that participation is lawful where you reside and to comply with all applicable laws and platform terms.