Chicago White Sox vs Tampa Bay Rays

Chicago White Sox at Tampa Bay Rays (2026-08-01). Jordan Hicks vs Drew Rasmussen at Tropicana Field.

Starters — Hicks has a 3.19 ERA and 1.48 WHIP over 31.0 innings, with 10.45 K/9, 6.39 BB/9, and 0.29 HR/9. His last three appearances were all short outings: 1.0 inning, 0 ER, 1 K, 1 BB on July 29; 0.2 innings, 0 ER, 2 K, 1 BB on July 28; and 1.0 inning, 0 ER, 0 K, 1 BB on July 26. The strikeout rate is strong, but the walk rate remains the main volatility point, and his recent form is flat. Rasmussen carries a 3.07 ERA and 0.93 WHIP across 111.1 innings, with 9.05 K/9, 1.54 BB/9, and 0.97 HR/9. In his last three starts, he threw 7.0 scoreless innings with 9 strikeouts and 1 walk on July 26, then 5.0 innings with 2 earned runs, 5 strikeouts, and 1 walk on July 21, before a rough 2.1-inning, 6-earned-run outing on July 9. The overall profile is built on command and efficiency, and the recent trend is down despite the strong most recent start.

Teams — Chicago enters with a .725 OPS and 522 runs scored, alongside a .239 team average. The White Sox pitching staff has a 4.05 ERA and 1.30 WHIP, and they are 5-5 over their last 10 games. Tampa Bay has a slightly better .731 OPS, but fewer total runs at 482, with a stronger .258 team average. The Rays also hold the edge on the mound with a 3.72 team ERA and 1.15 WHIP, and they are 7-3 over their last 10. From a betting perspective, Tampa Bay shows the cleaner full-team statistical shape, while Chicago’s offense has produced more runs overall and Hicks’ swing-and-miss ability can still create leverage if the walks are managed.