The only saving grace for Chicago in this 2023 season is that they play in the AL Central, and are still a manageable 5.5 games behind the Twins despite being 30-41 on the season. The South Siders look for a win in the June 17th White Sox at Mariners betting matchup and stop a skid where they have lost five of their last six.
Seattle picked up a 3-2 victory in Friday night’s series opener, scoring a run in each of the 5th, 6th, and 7th innings. The Mariners are now an even 4-4 over their last 8, not great but still better than the White Sox over that span. Oddsmakers like Seattle a lot, listing them as -150 favorites on Saturday.
Why Chicago Has Value on Saturday
The Sox thought they finally had some momentum built up on Friday. Andrew Benintendi hit his first home run with the team and Chicago had a 2-1 lead in the 6th. The bullpen could not hold on though and the White Sox fell to 1-4 in their last 5 road games.
Gavin Sheets also homered for Chicago in the series opener, and this team does have power. The White Sox problem is all their long balls have been solo lately and it’s the only way they’ve been able to manufacture runs. Luis Robert, Jr. Eloy Jimenez, Jake Burger, and Andrew Vaughn all went deep on Thursday – but Chicago lost 5-4 to the Dodgers. This is a dangerous team if some of those round-trippers can come with runners on.
Chicago sends Lucas Giolito (5-4, 3.54 ERA) to the hill in the June 17th White Sox at Mariners betting matchup and he’s had a great month with just a 0.69 ERA in two starts.
Why Seattle Has Value on Saturday
The Mariners were once again led by Teoscar Hernandez on Friday night, as he hit a HR and a double for his third multi-hit game over his last five outings. The 2-3-4 spots in the Seattle lineup were 6-13 and Hernandez has pushed his average to .364 this month with a .429 OBP.
Giolito has had a couple strong starts in June for Chicago, but Hernandez has hit him fairly well (.286) with 3 doubles in 14 AB. Eugenio Suarez has also homered and walked twice in his only three plate appearances against the Chicago starter, who also has worse splits on the road (4.78 ERA) compared to at home (2.87). Giolito is also 1-3 with a 3.94 ERA in day games (4:10 PM ET first pitch) as opposed to 4-1 with a 2.97 ERA at night.
Logan Gilbert (4-4, 4.38 ERA) has been roughed up for 11 ER over 7.0 IP in his last two home starts, but he’s had success against Chicago going 2-0 and not allowing a run over three appearances.
Free June 17th White Sox at Mariners Betting Pick
It’s a lofty price to pay -150 on Seattle with Gilbert’s struggles at home. Even last year he was just 5-5 at T-Mobile Park compared to 8-1 on the road. We know Chicago can take advantage of a pitcher lacking confidence, even if they have to solo HR him to death.
Free Pick: White Sox +130
