White Sox odds, picks, predictions: Best bet for White Sox vs Braves (July 14)
The Chicago White Sox take on the Atlanta Braves today, and we have White Sox odds, picks and predictions featuring our best bet for this July 14 game.
The White Sox continue to sink further into mediocrity, winning only two of their final eight games before the All-Star Break. Meanwhile, the Braves have solidified themselves as the best team in baseball, having won 27 of their 33 games since June 1.
Predictably, the Braves are monster favorites on Friday. But, I’m avoiding picking a side altogether, as my best bet for White Sox vs. Braves today is on the total.
Odds via FanDuel, current at time of writing and subject to change.
Moneyline: Braves (-255) vs. White Sox (+210)
Spread: Braves -1.5 (-130) vs. White Sox +1.5 (+108)
Total: Over 9 (-120) | Under 9 (-102)
- Read our expert rankings of the best sports betting sites here.
- (6:20 p.m. CT, BSSE)
- Probable pitchers: Charlie Morton (RHP) vs. Michael Kopech (RHP)
The White Sox cannot hit right-handed pitching. Righties have been their worse split for four straight seasons.
The story is the same in 2023. The White Sox are 27th in wRC+ against righties (85), boasting a .676 team OPS.
So, while I have my doubts about Atlanta starting pitcher Charlie Morton, I’m happy to bet on the 39-year-old against this lineup. Morton should force enough ground balls (47% season-long rate) and strikeouts (26% season-long rate) to hold the White Sox at bay.
Stopping the Braves will be a much tougher task. Atlanta boasts the deadliest lineup in baseball.
However, Chicago starting pitcher Michael Kopech has quietly turned his season around. After a miserable first six weeks, the righty boasts a 2.47 ERA and a 31% strikeout rate over his past eight starts.
Kopech managed to re-find his fastball velocity, and the results followed. He’s still throwing too many fastballs but can compete with Major League offenses when the pitch has life.
Between Kopech and the White Sox lineup, I’m comfortable betting on a lower-scoring affair.
Adding to my analysis is a surprisingly elite Braves bullpen (third in reliever ERA over the past month) and a much-improved White Sox bullpen following the return of Liam Hendriks. Run prevention in the later innings shouldn’t be a problem.
So, I’m happy betting on the Under 9 runs (-102) available at FanDuel Sportsbook. Considering the matchup, I’d project this total closer to 8.5.
Under 9 (-102) | Play to Under 9 (-115)
