White Sox vs Mariners Odds and Score Prediction

The best pitching matchup around the majors on Thursday likely is from Seattle as a pair of aces face off in young White Sox lefty Garrett Crochet and Mariners veteran and AL Cy Young candidate Luis Castillo – thus, it’s a very low total on the MLB odds as they conclude their series.

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This off season, he was signed to a five-year, $75 million free-agent deal and had been a mega-bust in batting .195/.230/.284 with four homers and 18 RBI before getting hurt.

It’s possible that fellow outfielder Tommy Pham, who is a lock to be traded, is activated for Thursday’s game but more likely this weekend. Pham, who sprained his ankle during a play at the plate in a June 2 loss at Milwaukee, was sent to Arizona for a rehab assignment earlier this week. Manager Pedro Grifol said Pham would play in seven-inning games there until the team feels he is ready to return to the big league club.

It’s young ace lefty Garrett Crochet on the mound Thursday, and he might be traded by next month’s deadline as well. Crochet (5-4) yielded two runs (one earned) on three hits and two walks over six innings last Friday, striking out 10 and earning a win over the Red Sox. Crochet gave up a pair of runs in the third inning, but only one was earned due to his own throwing error. Crochet reached 10 strikeouts for the fourth time this season while allowing two runs or fewer for the eighth straight start. He’s produced quality starts in four straight appearances and six of his last seven.

Crochet’s success is due in part to a newly introduced cut fastball that’s become the primary complement to his four-seam, but also because the move from relief to rotation came without the usual drop in velocity. When you’re striking out 34% of hitters, that’s a good way to avoid squared-up contact. Even accounting for that, Crochet is one of the hardest arms in the game to square up with his funky delivery.

Seattle Mariners Moneyline -164

Seattle is down one of its key players in first baseman Ty France due to a fractured heel. France was initially considered day-to-day due to the issue but after continued discomfort he underwent imaging that revealed a fracture. A timetable for France’s return is not yet clear, though it seems likely to be a fairly lengthy absence. That strong stretch has lifted his overall season line to a respectable .251/.329/.403.

Ahead of Wednesday’s game, the team sent down pitcher Jhonathan Diaz to Triple-A Tacoma after a spot start Tuesday and recalled righty Brett de Geus, who De Geus made four appearances for the Mariners back in April, allowing one run in 3 1/3 innings. He’ll resume working in middle relief. In the bullpen, the Mariners continue to maneuver with the availability of Andrés Muñoz, who’s made just one appearance since leaving last Tuesday’s game in Oakland with a lower back strain.

“We’re kind of just in murky waters right now,” Mariners manager Scott Servais said, “trying to get through this thing as best we can. … These things happen throughout the course of the season. And this is where you’re really lean on your depth. That’s why you have other guys in the Minor Leagues and different guys that can take on different roles in our bullpen. And that’s where we’re at right now.”

Super-utility man Dylan Moore was placed on the paternity list Monday but should be back for Thursday’s finale. He is batting .213/.325/.408 with six homers, two triples, 11 doubles, nine steals and a .733 OPS in 55 games. Moore has played five different positions this season, appearing at all four infield spots and left field.

Ace right-hander Luis Castillo is on the hill Thursday. Castillo (5-7) took the loss to the Royals last Saturday, allowing five runs on six hits and one walk while striking out for over five innings. Castillo had a tough outing as he gave up a season-high in runs.

“For Luis, nothing was easy early in the game,” Servais said. “They were making him work through at-bats. They have bat-to-ball skill up and down their lineup.”

His offense gave him the lead two separate times, but he gave it back each time as he snapped a streak of 10 straight starts allowing two earned runs or fewer. That was tied for the second-longest streak in Mariners history. Castillo remains one of the more consistent and durable starters in baseball, as he’s gone at least five innings in all of his 14 starts and will take a 3.35 ERA into Thursday.

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