White Sox vs. Orioles MLB Picks: Back Baltimore Against Giolito
In the second game of a three-game series, the Chicago White Sox look to even the series while the Baltimore Orioles hope to gain some more ground in the AL wild-card race. Here’s our White Sox-Orioles picks.
It’s been two very different seasons for the White Sox and Orioles. The White Sox came into the year rolling with high expectations and have fallen flat. They’ve dealt with big injuries all season long and, as the regular season winds down, they’re going to need to turn it around quickly if they want a hope at the postseason. Currently, they’re five games back of a wild-card spot.
The Orioles entered the campaign with little to no expectations. As has been the case the last few seasons, they were expected to be the last-place outliers in a tough AL East division. Instead, they’ve been the Cinderella story of the year. The Orioles are just 2.5 games back of a wild-card spot and are right on the heels of the Seattle Mariners and Toronto Blue Jays.
The Orioles took Game 1 of the series Tuesday in a 5-3 victory at home thanks to Jorge Mateo’s go-ahead double in the bottom of the 7th. Hungry for a playoff run, they’ll look to keep the momentum going Wednesday.
Here are my MLB picks and predictions for Wednesday night’s game between the White Sox and Orioles (odds via FanDuel, BetMGM, and DraftKings Sportsbook; pick confidence based on a 1-to-5 scale).
White Sox vs. Orioles Game Info
Date/Time: Wednesday, Aug. 24, 7:05 p.m. ET
TV: FS1, NBCSCH, MASN 2
Location: Oriole Park at Camden Yards, Baltimore, MD
Weather: 92 degrees, 10% chance of precipitation, 6-mph winds
White Sox vs. Orioles Odds Analysis
The White Sox are the moneyline favorites at -120 at most major sportsbooks.
The total is set at 8.5.
White Sox vs. Orioles Projected Pitchers
Lucas Giolito (9-7, 5.34 ERA, 1.53 WHIP) vs. Spenser Watkins (4-3, 4.04 ERA, 1.33 WHIP)
White Sox starter Lucas Giolito has struggled a bit this season, but especially as of late. In his most recent start in what ended up being a blowout 21-5 loss to the Houston Astros, Giolito lasted just three innings. He recorded five strikeouts but allowed eight hits and seven earned runs, including a home run.
He has a 6.03 ERA over his last seven starts and a 6.64 ERA in his last 15.
Baltimore’s Spenser Watkins is in his sophomore season with the Orioles and while he’s still going back and forth between the majors and Triple-A, he’s making his 16th start this season.
Though it’s been an up-and-down season for Watkins, he’s played a role in the Orioles' chase for an AL wild-card spot. From June 25 to Aug. 1, he recorded four wins, two no-decisions, and zero losses.
In his most recent start versus the Chicago Cubs, Watkins pitched 5 2/3 innings with five hits, one earned run, and two strikeouts. He’s 3-2 with a 3.41 ERA over his last seven starts, and a 4.24 ERA in his last 15.
White Sox vs. Orioles Picks
White Sox vs. Orioles ML Pick
Orioles (+100) ★★★
The Orioles' bats are hot and the White Sox couldn’t contain them with their ace Dylan Cease on the mound Tuesday. A struggling Giolito won't bode much better.
The Orioles have hit very well against right-handed pitching this season, with a team average of .243. They got production from top to bottom of the Orioles lineup last night as they were able to crack White Sox’s pitching.
While the White Sox are the favorite in this matchup by a small margin, betting against the Orioles right now doesn’t seem like the right choice.
White Sox vs. Orioles O/U Pick
Over 8.5 (-102) ★★★
The White Sox average 4.20 runs per game and the Orioles 4.30 per game. Giolito’s been shaky as of late, and Watkins is still a young pitcher who’s been streaky.
These two teams match up fairly well offensively. The White Sox rank 18th in the league in OPS with a .699 and the Orioles slot right ahead of them at .700.
The matchup features two similar offenses who can do a lot of damage if they can take advantage of two inconsistent starting pitchers. In addition, the Chicago bullpen ranks ninth-worst in the league in ERA at 4.15. I’m taking the Over.
White Sox vs. Orioles Prop Pick
Watkins Under 2.5 strikeouts (+130) ★★★
To go along with my pick for the Over in this contest, while Watkins has stepped up as a solid fifth starter for the Orioles, I believe the White Sox are going to capitalize on a not-so-experienced starter on the mound.
Watkins isn’t a strikeout pitcher by any means, and recorded only two strikeouts in his most recent start versus a much less potent Cubs offense. I also don’t see Watkins staying in the game beyond five innings, especially given the strength of the Orioles’ bullpen, therefore, I’m taking the Under on 2.5 strikeouts.
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White Sox-Orioles picks from 8/24/2022 at 12:44 p.m. ET
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