MLB’s League Leader – Toronto Blue Jays vs. Chicago White Sox

Toronto Blue Jays vs. Chicago White Sox 8:11 ET

The AL East leading Toronto Blue Jays (12-5 +$615) and Chicago White Sox (8-7 +$120) lock horns for the first of three sports betting affairs at beautiful US Cellular Field this evening, and BetOnline Sportsbook is there to offer up all $$$-Line, ‘total’, and prop bets for its many customers. Manager Cito Gaston’s club has bolted out of the gates, and enters tonight’s MLB betting contest with the Palehose owning the league’s best record. After dropping its series opener against the Texas Rangers with Roy Halladay on the bump, Toronto took the next two to register its 11th and 12th wins of the season. The BJ’s have been fantastic thus far both at the plate, on the mound, and in the field. The offense currently ranks in the top five in runs scored per game (#3), batting average (#3), OPS (#2), and home runs (#2), while the pitching staff owns the sixth best team ERA (3.86), second best WHIP (1.20), and top rated pitching staff in terms of strikeouts (138). After winning its four-game set against the defending AL champs, Chicago got humbled at Camden Yards dropping two of three to the Baltimore Orioles. They come into tonight’s game winners in six of their L/10, and have gotten off to a 3-3 start at home. Toronto flat out dominated the Southsiders last season winning seven of the eight overall meetings; that mark includes a 3-1 effort in tonight’s venue.

Regardless of the fact that Toronto enters tonight’s baseball betting match-up in much better form, BetOnline Sportsbook currently has Chicago lined as -125 favorites with the ‘total’ set at 9.5 over -110.

Lefty Brian Tallet made his first start in 2+ years his last time out against the Oakland A’s, and did a fine job filling in for the injured Jesse Litsch. He was limited to a 70-75 pitch count, and made it through 5 1/3rd innings and allowed just four hits and one earned run. He took the no decision, but Toronto ended up winning the game 4-2 in extras. His pitch count is expected to be increased to 85-90 pitches tonight. He’s made one lone start against the White Sox in his career, and it came way back in 2003.

After setting a record for winning a game and walking seven in his previous outing, Gavin Floyd looked like his old self by stymieing the Tampa Bay Rays in a dominating road effort. He made up for his dreadful post season start against the Rays by limiting them to just six hits and two earned runs while striking out seven and walking none through seven solid innings of work. He dropped his lone career start against Toronto last season in this venue, and will certainly be looking to avenge that defeat.

I don’t like the forecast for Toronto tonight. The bullpen has been ravaged with injuries, and it’s got a starter with a pitch count taking the bump against a pissed off White Sox club that got beaten up in Baltimore the last couple days. The weather in Chicago is beautiful for the first time this year, and “The Cell” is going to be a tough place to go into and win tonight. The fact that the BJ’s owned Chicago last year also doesn’t bode well for them. Floyd’s one of the few Palehose starting hurlers that’s almost always a must bet; especially at home.

Rose’s Recommendation: 3* Chicago -125

(Rating Scale: 1* – 5*)