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The Cleveland Guardians and Chicago White Sox will square off in a weekend series between two AL Central teams. With that said, it’s a good time to check out our MLB odds series, which includes our Guardians-White Sox prediction and pick we have laid out below.
Cleveland has slightly overachieved this season, ending the first half at 46-44. Despite a small payroll, Cleveland is in the thick of playoff contention, just two games back in the AL Central race.
Hot on the trail, Chicago stands at 46-46. While failing to live up to preseason hype, Chicago is just three games out in a tightly contested AL Central.
Here are the Guardians-White Sox MLB odds, courtesy of FanDuel.
MLB Odds: Guardians-White Sox Odds
Cleveland Guardians: +1.5 (-150)
Chicago White Sox: -1.5 (+125)
Over: 8.5 (-106)
Under: 8.5 (-114)
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Why The Guardians Could Cover The Spread
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For what Cleveland lacks in power (71 home runs, 29th in MLB), they are making up for in batting average (.249, ninth in MLB). Again, the lack of power is supplemented by an alarming contact rate, as Cleveland has struck out just 630 times, the least in baseball. Star third baseman Jose Ramirez is the final leftover from the Cleveland teams of yesteryear but is enjoying a dominant season, slashing .288/.368/.567 with 19 home runs and an American League-leading 75 RBI. In addition, first baseman Owen Miller has clubbed 21 doubles, trailing only Ramirez's 30 for the team lead. Other than Franmil Reyes (97 strikeouts), no Cleveland player has struck out more than 61 times.
Cleveland has relied on their stellar pitching staff, ranking 14th in baseball with a 3.87 ERA. Cal Quantrill has been tabbed to begin the second half and will take with him a 3.75 ERA to the mound. Quantrill has solidified himself as the third-best starter in this rotation. Despite not possessing explosive stuff (63 strikeouts in 100.2 innings), Quantrill has limited opponents all season, surrendering a 6.8% barrel rate. Cleveland's bullpen has also been stellar, with a 3.66 ERA on the season ranking 11th in the league. All-Star closer Emmanuel Clase owns a 1.41 ERA with 19 saves in 38.1 innings.
Why The White Sox Could Cover The Spread
Chicago has failed to do much under veteran manager Tony LaRussa thus far, sitting at an even 46-46 to begin the second half. In a similar fashion to their counterparts, Chicago has lacked much home run production, with just 80 home runs in the first half. Chicago also strikes out at a low rate, punching out just 720 times, the seventh-lowest total in baseball. On the bright side, there is plenty of potential in this lineup, with Andrew Vaughn (.301 average, 10 home runs), Luis Robert (.301 average, 12 home runs), and Jose Abreu (.304 average, 11 home runs) leading the way. Outside of those three, there is not much to write home about. Slugger Eloy Jimenez has been injured for the majority of the season.
Thankfully, Chicago will not need to score many runs in this one, as Cleveland's offense is even more punchless than theirs. Lucas Giolito will take the ball Friday night, and he has been nothing short of disappointing thus far. Giolito sports a 4.69 ERA after three straight seasons with ERAs in the mid-3s. Still, Giolito is striking out batters at a dominant rate, racking up 102 strikeouts in 88.2 innings (10.4 K/9). Giolito should be able to attack Cleveland hitters with no fear due to the lack of impact power noted in the section above. The Chicago bullpen has been solid, highlighted by closer Liam Hendricks' 2.35 ERA and 18 saves.
Final Guardians-White Sox Prediction & Pick
This is likely to be a low-scoring affair. Give the advantage to Chicago and Giolito, who is due to break out of his year-long funk.
Final Guardians-White Sox Prediction & Pick: White Sox -1.5 (+125), under 8.5 (-114)
