White Sox vs Guardians Odds
| White Sox Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Moneyline | Total | Run Line |
+116 | 9 -102 / -120 | +1.5 -172 |
| Guardians Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Moneyline | Total | Run Line |
| -136 | 9 -102 / -120 | -1.5 +142 |
The third and final game of this AL Central series gets underway Sunday with the second-place Cleveland Guardians hosting the fourth-place Chicago White Sox.
These clubs split the first two meetings of this series, with Cleveland winning the first game 4-2 and Chicago securing a 7-4 victory in the second matchup. Will the White Sox end the series on a high note, or can the Guardians defend their home diamond?
Here's a look at the odds and my White Sox vs. Guardians betting pick and prediction.
Chicago White Sox
Despite playing in the weak AL Central, it has been a tough campaign for the White Sox as they sit in fourth place with a 44-68 record. Hitting has been the key issue for Chicago this season, and it is unlikely for this lineup to turn things around before the season's end.
This year, Chicago ranks in the bottom third of the league in runs scored per game, BA, SLG, OPS and home runs. The White Sox also struggle at avoiding strikeouts.
When facing right-handed pitching this season, Chicago ranks 21st in the league in Strikeout Rate. Looking at Sunday's projected starting lineup, five of the nine hitters possess a Strikeout Rate north of 21% this year.
Opposing starting pitchers have collected four or more strikeouts in six of the past seven games against the White Sox. These strikeout woes are likely to continue against right-hander Xzavion Curry.
Cleveland Guardians
Curry is slated to open a bullpen game for Cleveland, although he is likely to go three innings at the minimum. The Guardians plan to keep Curry in the rotation the rest of the way while Triston McKenzie and Shane Bieber remain shelved with injuries, and his workload is only going to continue to increase as this transition furthers.
It has been a strong campaign thus far for the right-hander, who is 3-1 with a 2.90 ERA and 1.19 WHIP in 28 appearances on the mound. Specifically, we're going to back Curry in the strikeout department.
Currently, you can find his strikeout prop at 3.5 at plus-money via FanDuel. Curry recorded three punchouts in just one and two-thirds innings of work his last time out against a much stronger Houston Astros lineup, and considering his likely heavier workload moving forward, surpassing this figure is certainly a plausible scenario.
White Sox vs Guardians Betting Pick
This strong pitching is likely to continue against Chicago. In Curry's four career appearances against the White Sox, he boasts a 2.45 ERA.
All four of those appearances came in relief, but he is averaging 6.3 K/9 over that stretch.
With a supposedly increased workload looming – especially against a strikeout-prone Chicago lineup – now is the time to buy low on Curry.
Pick: Xzavion Curry Over 3.5 Strikeouts (+136 | Play to +100) |
