MLB matchup analysis

White Sox vs Rays Prediction, Odds and Model Pick

Friday, July 31, 2026 at Tropicana Field · 7:10 PM ET

Pass

LyDia decision: Pass on White Sox vs Rays

Lab Rating
3.3/10
Model probability
55.5%
Market probability
56.3%
Model edge
-0.8%
Best moneyline
-132
Sportsbooks checked
9
LyDia model
55.5%
Market
56.3%

The case for Tampa Bay Rays

Starting pitcher edge: 22 points
LyDia gives Nick Martinez a 22-point edge over Erick Fedde, driven mainly by BB/9 (1.5 vs 3.3) and HR/9 (0.84 vs 1.76).

Why it is not official

Below the 72.0% official gate
Win probability is 55.5%. LyDia does not make a game official below 72.0%, no matter how good the price is. This is a value spot, not a high-confidence winner.
Setup quality below the bar
Lab Rating is 3.3/10, under the 8.0/10 required for an official pick.
Not enough market edge
The model and the market are too close for the price to matter.

Why the setup score is what it is

Conviction: 0.6/30
LyDia leans toward Tampa Bay Rays, but not strongly enough to earn full conviction credit.
Model agreement: 6.35/20
LyDia runs two independent reads on this game. The team-strength model gives Tampa Bay Rays a 60.9% chance; the run-projection model gives 50.0%. They disagree by 10.9 points, so the published number is a blend between two methods that do not agree, not a shared read.
Pitching plan: 6/20
Nick Martinez rates 22 points better than Erick Fedde on LyDia's pitcher score — a real edge, but well short of the gap that earns full credit here.
Bullpen: 6.72/15
Both bullpens are rated high risk — this is close to a wash, not an advantage either way.
The verdict LyDia passes. Market is higher than LyDia's model probability.
Read the full model output

Market is higher than LyDia's model probability.

Game information

MatchupChicago White Sox at Tampa Bay Rays
DateFriday, July 31, 2026
First pitch7:10 PM ET
VenueTropicana Field
Starting pitchersErick Fedde vs Nick Martinez
WeatherGame-time forecast: 82°F, 7% precipitation chance, 6 mph wind from W.

Starting pitcher matchup

Full Pitcher Matchup Tool →
Erick FeddeWhite Sox · RHP
4.25ERA
1.40WHIP
6.3K/9
7.6%K-BB%
vs
Nick MartinezRays · RHP
2.45ERA
1.10WHIP
5.1K/9
9.9%K-BB%
MetricWhite SoxRays
Pitching planTraditional starterTraditional starter
Expected innings4.85.9
ThrowsRR
LyDia pitcher score (higher is better)5779
BB/9 (lower is better)3.31.5
HR/9 (lower is better)1.80.8
Ground-ball rate45.3%39.4%
IP per start (higher is better)4.85.9

Pitcher edge: LyDia gives Nick Martinez a 22-point edge over Erick Fedde, driven mainly by BB/9 (1.5 vs 3.3) and HR/9 (0.84 vs 1.76).

How to read this: the scorecards show ERA, WHIP, K/9, and K-BB%. The table adds complementary traits without repeating them. Highlighted cells mark a gap big enough to matter. HR/9 is home runs allowed per nine innings. Ground-ball rate is neither good nor bad on its own: high ground-ball pitchers trade strikeouts for double plays and fewer home runs.

Strikeout Projections Full strikeout projections →

Erick Fedde strikeouts
2.7 LyDia projected Ks
Official pick: UNDER 3.5K · -0.8K difference
Market 3.5K · O +130 / U -155 · 5 books
Nick Martinez strikeouts
3.6 LyDia projected Ks
Official pick: UNDER 4.5K · -0.9K difference
Market 4.5K · O +116 / U -137 · 5 books

Projections are self-calibrated against graded results (100 graded starts). Official K picks require a 0.7+ strikeout edge, a posted price from at least two books, and a confirmed non-opener workload of at least four expected innings.

Same data source as the Pitcher Matchup Tool, where every starter on the slate is compared side by side.

White Sox are 5-5 in their last 10, averaging 4.8 runs per game over the last 15 days, and hitting below their season form; Rays are 8-2 in their last 10 and averaging 4.0 runs per game over the last 15 days. Season run differential separates them by almost nothing (+0.40 against +0.40).

MetricWhite SoxRays
Last 105-58-2
OPS, last 15 days0.6670.720
Runs per game, last 15 days4.84.0
K% last 15 days (lower is better)23.6%21.0%

Last 15 days only. Hot and cold streaks for all 30 teams live on the Stats page.

Season profile

Full Stats page →
MetricWhite SoxRays
Record57-5164-44
Run differential / game (team quality)+0.40+0.40
Runs scored / game (offense, season)4.784.45
Runs allowed / game (defense, season, lower better)4.384.06
Season OPS0.7240.733
K% season (lower is better)23.7%19.2%
OPS vs opposing hand (season)0.7280.752

Season-long team quality, not recent form. Run differential and run environment come from the season standings; splits for all 30 teams live on the Stats page, including the run environment table.

Every team on today's slate, on any two axes you pick. White Sox and Rays are highlighted.

White Sox
Combined risk
8.2 High risk
Fatigue
9.7 High risk
Efficiency
8.0 Dominant
Rays
Combined risk
8.8 High risk
Fatigue
10.0 High risk
Efficiency
7.4 Effective

Risk is what the model actually uses: fatigue blended with how well the pen has pitched. High fatigue with high efficiency is a tired pen that is still getting outs.

MetricWhite SoxRays
Fatigue9.7/10, High risk10.0/10, High risk
Efficiency8.0/10, Dominant7.4/10, Effective
Combined risk8.2/10, High risk8.8/10, High risk
Relief innings, last 3 days14.718.3
Back-to-back arms54
3-day ERA0.001.47
3-day WHIP0.950.82

Fatigue measures workload. Efficiency measures recent run prevention. Combined risk is what the moneyline and totals systems use.

Run total projection

Full Totals Projections →
LyDia projection
3.4
Market total
8.5
Projected away runs
1.7
Projected home runs
1.7
Over price
+102
Under price
-116
Chicago White Sox team total
1.7 projected
Line 3.5 · O -118 / U +108
Under research lean (-1.8)
Tampa Bay Rays team total
1.7 projected
Line 4.5 · O +116 / U -135
Under research lean (-2.8)

The model projects 5.1 runs below the market total. A research lean still requires a setup rating of at least 7.0/10. Team totals remain research-only until their graded sample is established.

More games today

All matchups →

What could change the prediction

Every LyDia pick, graded in public

Free daily model card by email, or open today's full slate. Membership adds delivery before first pitch.

Today's picks Membership

Model outputs are not guarantees. LyDia provides analysis and education only. Every official pick remains visible on the Results page. 21+. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, call 1-800-GAMBLER.