Chicago White Sox ace Michael Kopech will go head-to-head with Los Angeles Angels two-way phenom Shohei Ohtani in an excellent pitching matchup. Here are our White Sox-Angels picks.
You can feel momentum beginning to build for the White Sox, who have now won two of three and will aim for a series win over the Angels on Wednesday night.
L.A. has also won a couple of games in its last three, and despite much public scrutiny, it has done a decent job this month. Is this a team worth respecting, though? Let’s take a look.
Here are my MLB picks and predictions for Wednesday’s game between the White Sox and Angels (odds via Bet365 and DraftKings Sportsbook; pick confidence based on a 1-to-5-star scale).
White Sox vs. Angels Game Info
Date: Wednesday, June 29, 9:38 p.m. ET
TV: Comcast SportsNet Chicago, Bally Sports West, MLB Network
Location: Angel Stadium, Anaheim, CA
Weather: 76 degrees, 8-mph wind to outfield
White Sox vs. Angels Odds
White Sox vs. Angels Odds Analysis
The White Sox opened up as modest +131 underdogs in this one before the line flew toward the Angels. Chicago is as high as +170 and as low as +160 now. DraftKings is reporting 74% of Moneyline tickets on the Angels with 65% of the handle, while L.A. is also commanding 65% of the bets on the run line and 73% of the handle.
The total was initially offered at 7.5 runs before being pushed up to 8. Still, DraftKings reports it’s taken 79% of the handle on the Under on just 44% of the tickets.
White Sox vs. Angels Projected Pitchers
Michael Kopech (2-4, 2.59 ERA) vs. Shohei Ohtani (6-4, 2.90 ERA)
Kopech has done well to back up his great 2021 campaign, during which he blossomed into a full-time starting pitcher. He owns a 2.59 ERA through 13 starts and has had some absolute masterpieces this year. He does enter with seven earned runs over his last two outings, however.
Ohtani is a known commodity. His strikeout numbers are on pace to be the best of his career, and he’s been absolutely brilliant of late. The righty hasn’t allowed a run in his last two outings, spanning 14 innings, giving up just five hits in that time.
White Sox vs. Angels Picks
- Moneyline: White Sox (+170 via Bet365) ★★★★★
- Over/Under: Under 8 (-112 via DraftKings) ★★★★★
- Prop bet: Michael Kopech Over 5.5 strikeouts (-110 via DraftKings) ★★★★
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White Sox vs. Angels ML Pick
White Sox (+170)
Chicago is a wagon at the plate right now. It's fifth in wRC+ over the last two weeks and carries a super 22% strikeout rate with a pretty bland 6.2% walk rate. In this period of time, the White Sox have an 8.3% barrel rate with a solid 40.1% hard-hit rate.
I say all of this because Ohtani has long had an issue with giving up hard-hit balls. He covers those issues with strikeouts, but against a team that is seeing the ball well right now and not pinching out too much, this could get a little tricky. Ohtani’s barrel rate sits at a career-worst 7.8% and his xwOBA on contact is .390.
I’m not saying Ohtani will get rocked here, but Chicago should absolutely be able to get on the board. With that, they have value. Kopech hasn’t been great lately, but in his last two starts, he’s had to face the Baltimore Orioles and Houston Astros: two offenses that have been good this season. L.A. is in the bottom 10 in wRC+ over the last two weeks.
White Sox vs. Angels O/U Pick
Under 8 (-112)
Yes, it’s bad for the Angels at the plate right now. They’re striking out in 25.2% of plate appearances and rank 24th in wRC+ over the last two weeks. Their ISO is a very measly .163 and they continue to make weak contact with the ball when they do get a bat on it.
Kopech’s strikeout numbers have come down, but they’re still above average at 22.9%. Against a team striking out as much as the Angels, I have total confidence he’ll hold it down.
As for Chicago's bats, we discussed how Ohtani’s strikeout numbers could mean the chances are few and far between for the White Sox. Though I think they'll do plenty to get this win, it’s hard to see a blowout.
White Sox vs. Angels Prop Bet
Kopech Over 5.5 strikeouts (-110)
The Angels are striking out in 25.2% of plate appearances in the last 14 days. That is a ridiculous rate and one that Kopech should take full advantage of.
The White Sox righty hasn’t been at his best with six combined strikeouts in the last two games, but he’s gone Over this number four times. Last season, he struck out six Angels in four innings across two relief appearances. I think they’ll flow for Kopech tonight.
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White Sox-Angels picks made 6/29/2022 at 1:36 p.m. ET.
The post White Sox vs. Angels MLB Picks: Back The Road Team to Upset Ohtani And Co. appeared first on Picks.
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