Minnesota Twins vs. Chicago White Sox Preview (June 29): AL Central Leaders Look to Get Back on Track Against Rival Twins

On paper, the Chicago White Sox look like one of the best teams in the Majors. Yes, they have been dealt some critical injuries to outfielders Luis Robert and Eloy Jimenez, but this is a super talented team. They are only two games up on the Cleveland Indians in the AL Central, but the latest MLB betting odds have the White Sox at -550 to win the division. That is well ahead of the Indians, who are +450 to win the division.

For Minnesota, expectations were high entering the season. But the first half has been a major disaster. Injuries have really hurt them, with OF Byron Buxton’s breakout season being halted multiple times by injury. Overall the team is slugging the way you would expect but the pitching, especially the bullpen, has been far below standard.

The Twins have a chance to start chipping away at the lead that Chicago has in the AL Central and there is still enough time for them to become relevant. It is all relative but at 16-20, they have been better on the road than at home.

Chicago is in a great spot to capture the AL Central but it would be nice to see them shake Cleveland once and for all by going on a run. They have no games against winning teams between here and the All-Star break.

Minnesota Twins (33-43) vs Chicago White Sox (45-32), NBC Sports Chicago, 8:10 PM ET

Probable Pitchers

• Minnesota Twins: Kenta Maeda (3-2, 4.85 ERA)
• Chicago White Sox: Lucas Giolito (5-5, 3.80 ERA)

Twins vs White Sox Betting Odds

• Moneyline: Minnesota +114, Chicago -137
• Total: OVER 8.5 (-107), UNDER (-113)
• Run Line: Minnesota +1.5 (-168), Chicago -1.5 (+140)

Odds are via BetOnline Sportsbook as of Tuesday, June 29 at 8:53 am ET. For MLB betting odds for today’s other matchups, check out our MLB odds.

Twins vs White Sox Betting Consensus

• Moneyline: Minnesota 20%, Chicago 80%
• Total: OVER 80%, UNDER 20%
• Run Line: Minnesota 100%, Chicago 0%

Minnesota Twins vs Chicago White Sox June 29 Matchup: Picks, Odds, Stats and More

Is Chicago Ready to Take Control of the AL Central?

Chicago won on Sunday, but they are in a bit of a lull right now. In their last ten games, they are just 3-7. Per the intro, the schedule really opens up for them right now. Yet there needs to be some concern overall that the White Sox have not fared well when taking on quality teams.

Minnesota’s struggles are well documented. They have already played 16 more games than in 202o but have yet to match their win total from a year ago. The power-hitting has been there – they rank third in the league in homers – but the Twins are 26th in team ERA as even their steadiest of arms have struggled.

One of those is righty Kenta Maeda, who was second in the AL in Cy Young voting just a year ago. His ERA is sitting at 5.02 and he has become suddenly very easy to hit and hit out of the park. His homer rates are higher than they have ever been while most of the season offenses have been subdued. That has only been part of the poor pitching story for Minnesota as their bullpen is ranked in the bottom third. Even when they get a quality start and some runs on the board, there are no guarantees.

Unlike Minnesota, Chicago invested heavily in the bullpen by signing closer Liam Hendriks. You can make an argument that he has been the best reliever in baseball this season. He currently leads the Majors in saves and has a ratio of 51 strikeouts to just 3 walks. When the White Sox get a lead, it is lights out.

Kenta Maeda Home vs Road

• Home: 1-1, 3.29 ERA, 13.2 IP, 15 Ks, 5 BBs
• Road: 2-1, 5.63, ERA, 38.1 IP, 35 Ks, 10 BBs

Lucas Giolito Home vs Road

• Home: 2-4, 3.35 ERA, 51 IP, 63 Ks, 16 BBs
• Road: 3-1, 4.42 ERA, 36.2 IP, 47 Ks, 13 BBs

In terms of form, this season the White Sox definitely have an edge on the mound on Tuesday night. Giolito has the big arm and his best outing of the season was against Minnesota, 8 innings of 2 hit ball with 11 Ks back on May 19th. With Maeda especially struggling on the road, it is hard to make a case for the Twins tonight.

Twins vs. White Sox Best Bet: White Sox ML – Keeping it simple in this one. Look for the righty power arm of Giolito to have success once again vs. Minnesota. The White Sox might create enough runs to win on the run line too, but the premium is not too high for a first-place team playing at home. I know Carlos Rodon and Lance Lynn are having great seasons, but Giolito is still their ace to me.

June 29 MLB Betting Matchups – American League

MLB Betting Matchup: Los Angeles Angels vs New York Yankees, MLB Network, 7:05 PM ET

Probable Pitchers

• Los Angeles Angels: Andrew Heaney (4-5, 4.72 ERA)
• New York Yankees: Jameson Taillon (2-4, 5.18 ERA)

Los Angeles Angels vs New York Yankees June 29 Matchup: Picks, Odds, Stats and More

MLB Betting Matchup: Seattle Mariners vs Toronto Blue Jays, Sportsnet, 7:07 PM ET

Probable Pitchers

• Seattle Mariners: Chris Flexen (6-3, 3.87 ERA)
• Toronto Blue Jays: Robbie Ray (5-3, 3.35 ERA)

For an in-depth MLB betting preview of tonight’s Mariners vs Blue Jays matchup, check out our Mariners vs Blue Jays preview.

Seattle Mariners vs Toronto Blue Jays June 29 Matchup: Picks, Odds, Stats and More

MLB Betting Matchup: Detroit Tigers vs Cleveland Indians, Bally Sports Great Lakes, 7:10 PM ET

Probable Pitchers

• Detroit Tigers: Jose Urena, (2-8, 6.00 ERA)
• Cleveland Indians: JC Mejia (1-2, 4.94 ERA)

Detroit Tigers vs Cleveland Indians June 29 Matchup: Picks, Odds, Stats and More

MLB Betting Matchup: Kansas City Royals vs Boston Red Sox, NESN, 7:10 PM ET

Probable Pitchers

• Kansas City Royals: Brad Keller (6-8, 6.39 ERA)
• Boston Red Sox: Nick Pivetta (6-3, 4.00 ERA)

Kansas City Royals vs Boston Red Sox June 29 Matchup: Picks, Odds, Stats and More

MLB Betting Matchup: Baltimore Orioles vs Houston Astros, ATT Sportsnet Southwest, 8:10 PM ET

Probable Pitchers

• Baltimore Orioles: TBD
• Houston Astros: Jose Urquidy (6-3, 3.32 ERA)

Baltimore Orioles vs Houston Astros June 29 Matchup: Picks, Odds, Stats and More

MLB Betting Matchup: Texas Rangers vs Oakland A’s, NBC Sports California, 9:40 PM ET

Probable Pitchers

• Texas Rangers: Mike Foltynewicz (1-7, 5.40 ERA)
• Oakland A’s: James Kaprielian (4-1, 2.86 ERA)

Texas Rangers vs Oakland A’s June 29 Matchup: Picks, Odds, Stats and More