MLB's two Chicago teams face off in this crosstown matchup, the first of a three-game series hosted by the White Sox. It’s time to continue our MLB odds series and make a Cubs-White Sox prediction and pick.
The story of these teams' seasons have been polar opposites. The White Sox, as expected, are dominating the AL Central and are aiming for their second consecutive postseason berth (before this, they had not made the playoffs since 2008).
On the North Side, the Cubs realized that their roster as constructed into July had reached its pinnacle and did not have another magical playoff run in them. So, at the deadline, the Cubs sent away most of their top talent and quickly dropped to one of baseball's worst teams. The franchise is now fully in rebuilding mode, but with a prior track record of success in organizing a rebuild, it will be interesting to see just when the Cubs become competitive again.
In this series, the White Sox should be heavy favorites throughout. Here’s how the bookmakers have set the lines for Friday's game.
MLB Odds: Cubs-White Sox Odds
*Watch MLB games LIVE with fuboTV (click for free trial)*
Chicago Cubs +1 1/2 (-103)
Chicago White Sox -1 1/2 (-117)
Over 9 runs (-115)
Under 9 runs (-105)
Why The Cubs Could Cover The Spread
The Cubs are looking to play spoiler here against their interleague rival. To do so, they'll need rookie pitcher Keegan Thompson to step up in a role he's not used to.
Thompson has primarily been used as a relief pitcher this season, starting just two games and never pitching more than 4.0 innings in any game. Whether the Cubs try to stretch out Thompson this game or employ a bullpen game strategy remains unknown.
But while Thompson is in the game, he has been very successful. Of his 28 total appearances this season, 21 have seen him allow no runs. Overall, his season ERA sits at 2.42. If Thompson can put together four or maybe even five similar shutout frames, it could be enough to keep the Cubs within a run here.
However, I really don't see the Cubs winning outright. A cover is surely possible, though, provided Thompson gives the Cubs quality pitching at the beginning of this game.
Why The White Sox Could Cover The Spread
The White Sox are simply a much, much better baseball team than the Cubs. Dallas Keuchel gets the ball in the series opener, but his struggles lately should come to a halt against these Cubs. In August, Keuchel holds a rather lackluster 5.73 ERA. But three of those starts were against Minnesota, Oakland, and Tampa Bay, three of baseball's best offenses.
The Cubs, on the other hand, have regressed to one of the worst lineups in the league. In Keuchel's lone start this year against a National League opponent, he had one of his best starts of 2021. In Cincinnati on May 5, Keuchel tossed seven shutout innings, allowing just two hits.
Look for Keuchel to find similar interleague magic again and hold the Cubs to a run or fewer and no more than five hits off him. The White Sox should easily win this game by at least a few runs.
Final Cubs-White Sox Prediction & Pick
Sorry, Cubs fans, Chicago is now a White Sox town for the time being. I'd expect the White Sox to sweep this series, but since this prediction is just for Friday's game, I'll keep it simple: White Sox win in a rout.
FINAL PICK: White Sox – 1 1/2 (-117)
Follow Us
Subscribe