Athletics vs. White Sox (July 30): Will the Sox batter Blackburn to return to .500?

The Oakland Athletics have been one of MLB’s worst teams this season, but you wouldn’t know it by how they have performed recently.

Last night’s 7-3 win over the Chicago White Sox was Oakland’s ninth win in 12 games, and only the A’s, Blue Jays, and Dodgers have won eight of their last ten games.

The Athletics will certainly fancy themselves to pick up the series win in tonight’s matchup. All-Star pitcher Paul Blackburn has had some struggles as of late, but he has been outstanding on the road this season.

Oakland Athletics vs. Chicago White Sox Matchup Information and Betting Odds

Matchup Information

• Matchup: Oakland Athletics (39-63, 22-30 away, 5th in the AL West) vs. Chicago White Sox (49-50, 21-28 home, 3rd in the AL Central)
• Venue & Location: Guaranteed Rate Field (Chicago, Illinois)
• Date: Saturday, July 30, 2022
• Game Time: 7:15 p.m. Eastern Time (6:15 p.m. local time)

Athletics vs. White Sox Pitching Matchup

• Oakland Athletics: Paul Blackburn (2022: 19 starts, 6-6, 4.35 ERA)
• Chicago White Sox: Johnny Cueto (2022: 13 appearances – 12 starts, 4-4, 2.89 ERA)

Athletics vs. White Sox Odds

Game odds are via BetOnline. This article may also feature odds from other top online sportsbooks that we have reviewed and recommend.

Moneyline

• Oakland Athletics +142
• Chicago White Sox -168

Over/Under

• Over 8 (-118)
• Under 8 (-104)

Run Line

• Oakland Athletics +1.5 (-140)
• Chicago White Sox -1.5 (+116)

Can Blackburn Get Back on Track Against Inconsistent White Sox?

The White Sox continue to do that thing where it looks like they are finally ready to make a charge in the AL Central, then they forget how to win just as quickly.

They won five out of six before the All-Star break, lost two in a row to start the second half, then won three in a row to move over .500 for the first time in two months.

But they enter this evening’s matchup looking to avoid a third straight loss, which would see them end July without winning a series at home.

But they may be facing Blackburn at the right time, as he has been hit hard in his last few starts.

In his first 16 starts, Blackburn allowed just 28 earned runs and gave up five or more runs just once.

But in his last three starts, he has allowed 21 runs and 20 hits in just 14.1 innings. Last time out, he allowed ten runs and ten hits in just 4.1 innings in an 11-8 loss to the Texas Rangers last Sunday.

The 28-year-old righty has been at his best on the road, though he gave up five runs and four walks (and only three hits) against the Rangers in his most recent road start on July 14.

For the season, Blackburn is 5-1 with a 1.88 ERA in ten road starts. He has allowed fewer than three runs nine times on the road, compared to just two times in eight home starts.

Oakland Athletics vs. Chicago White Sox Prediction and Picks

Athletics vs. White Sox Prediction: White Sox to win

Athletics vs. White Sox Picks: White Sox -1.5 (Best Value: +125 at BetUS) & White Sox team total over 4.5 runs (+105 at BetMGM)

Very little about the White Sox has made sense this season, so it only makes sense that they would follow up yesterday’s performance with a much better one against an All-Star pitcher.

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