Two teams heading in opposite directions will clash in the Windy City on Monday when the slumping New York Yankees (68-42) visit the surging Chicago White Sox (41-70) as large road favorites at the sportsbooks.The White Sox return home following a three-game road sweep of the Tampa Bay Rays http://www.redsfanproshop.com/authentic-drew-storen-jersey , and they bring a four-game winning streak overall into this matchup with the Yankees. MLB betting line: The Yankees opened as -222 favorites (wager $222 to win $100); the total is at 9.5 runs, according to sportsbooks monitored by OddsShark. (Line updates and matchup report)MLB betting pick, via OddsShark computer: 4.3-1.6, Yankees (MLB picks on every game)Check out the OddsShark podcast on iTunes or at OddsShark.libsyn.com for more odds information, betting picks and a breakdown of this week鈥檚 top sports betting news.Why the Yankees can pay on the MLB linesDespite losing ground to the Boston Red Sox in the American League East over the weekend, New York is still entrenched in the top wild-card spot and will likely stay there for the rest of the season. The Yankees remain one of the best and most dangerous teams in the league even though they may not win the division title, and they will give newly-acquired Lance Lynn (7-8, 4.89 ERA) the starting nod here in the series opener.Lynn came over in a trade with the Minnesota Twins and performed well in his first outing with his new team, throwing 4.1 scoreless innings in relief of Sonny Gray last Wednesday Scott Feldman Jersey , allowing five hits with no walks and five strikeouts to earn the start. Why the White Sox can pay on the MLB linesChicago is a young team without much to play for at this point of the season, which can actually be a good thing. The White Sox are playing loose and could perform the role of spoiler against some playoff contenders down the stretch. Chicago split four games with New York at the end of June and made backers money as an underdog each time.Dylan Covey (4-7, 5.57 ERA) will get the call in this spot and try to end a personal two-game skid for the White Sox, who have won only one of his previous eight starts. Covey's best outing recently for Chicago though came on the road versus the Seattle Mariners, as he gave up just two hits in 8.1 scoreless innings with two walks and five strikeouts. Smart betting pickIt is hard to support the Yankees at this price in what looks to be a major letdown spot after losing a key series to the rival Red Sox. The White Sox are hot and may not win this series, but they are a good play to continue their winning streak against Lynn.MLB betting trendsNew York is 0-5 in its last five games on the road.Chicago is 4-1 in its last five games.The total has gone over in six of Chicago's last seven games at home.All MLB odds and betting trends according to Bleacher Report's official odds partner, OddsShark. Check out OddsShark on Twitter and Instagram or head to YouTube for more betting picks and analysis on this week's top games. You can also download the free odds tracker app. Atlanta Braves shortstopRonald AcunaJr. will bat first in the team's game against the Colorado Rockies on Thursday, per Kelsey Wingert of Fox Sports South, just a day removed from taking a pitch to the elbow against the Miami Marlins.Marlins pitcherJose UrenastruckAcuna with a fastball in the first inning on Wednesday.FOX Sports: Braves FOXSportsBravesThe first pitch of the night to Ronald Acu帽a Jr.Clearly intentional. TlDpUGOdcWFOX Sports: Braves FOXSportsBravesTensions flare at SunTrust Park as Ronald Acu帽a Jr. is hit on the elbow with a fastball from Marlins starter Jose Urena. The benches clear as both teams meet at the mound. #Braves | #ChopOn s1fGrMjezhAcuna came into the contest with home runs in five straight games Eugenio Suarez Jersey , and the pitch was clearly deemed intentional by the umpires, who ejected Urena.Ryan M. Spaeder theaceofspaeder#Marlins Jose Urena is ejected after hitting #Braves Ronald Acuna Jr. He is the first pitcher to be tossed after hitting the first batter of the game since Angels John Lackey鈥攚ho plunked Rangers Ian Kinsler鈥攐n May 16, 2009.Acuna didn't finish the game, though X-rays after the contest came back negative, per theAssociated Press. And his teammates, understandably, were not happy with Urena."He's been swinging the ball incredibly well, obviously," Braves first basemanFreddie Freemansaid of Acuna http://www.redsfanproshop.com/authentic-jose-peraza-jersey , per the AP. "It just makes no sense. It was just completely classless on Jose Urena's part.""I'm not sure I've ever felt like that in a baseball uniform,"Braves manager Brian Snitkeradded. "[Acuna] didn't deserve that. ... I've had three hours to calm down and all of a sudden I'm not real good right now."The general consensus around baseball was that Urena's beaning was absolutely uncalled for:Brandon McCarthy BMcCarthy32Garbage baseball. Hard to throw one pitch and piss off two clubhouses so good luck Jose dealing with the mess youve made.Buster Olney Buster_ESPNThe fact that Urena dropped his glove as the Braves bench emptied and seemed to beckon them forward tells you all you need to know about his intent.Buster Olney Buster_ESPNImagine if, in the middle of a no-hitter, a hitter charged the mound and whacked the unsuspecting pitcher on the arm with a bat just because the pitcher was dominating. Thats basically what happened with Urena/Acuna.Matt Marrone thebigmKiermaier: quot;Im speaking for a lot of other guys. I got a kid on the way, coming November now, so if you try to hit me on purpose, you go high and tight, thats risking health problems and, Im not gonna say life-threatening Tucker Barnhart Jersey , but, that baseball can do a lot of damage to someone.quot;Matt Marrone thebigmquot;I would have had no problem if he wouldve hit me. He ended up missing. The game went on. But theres other times when guys are out of line and you have to defend yourself.quot;"It seemed pretty blatant to me," New York Yankees manager Aaron Boone said, perDo-Hyoung Park and Daniel Kramerof MLB.com."You know, I hate that. I'll just kind of leave it at that. It had a bad look.""Look, I don't know if it was intentional or not. I saw what I saw," Tampa Bay Rays manager Kevin Cash added. "You'd hate to see any player, young player, veteran player http://www.redsfanproshop.com/authentic-matt-harvey-jersey , that's having success and going about it the right way. You don't want to see anybody get hurt to the point they're taken out of the ballgame."Acuna, 20, is hitting .288 with 19 homers, 43 RBI, 49 runs and eight stolen bases this season. He's a crucial figure for a Braves team battling for an NL East title and a postseason berth. Thankfully for the Braves, it appears he won't miss any time after being struck by Urena's fastball.