Editor's note: This game has been postponed. The White Sox and Yankees will instead play a doubleheader on Sunday.
White Sox vs. Yankees Odds
| White Sox Odds | +140 |
| Yankees Odds | -160 |
| Over/Under | 8.5 (-115/-105) |
| Time | 7:05 p.m. ET |
| TV | MLB.TV |
| Odds via DraftKings. Get up-to-the-minute MLB odds here. | |
The New York Yankees host the Chicago White Sox on Friday night in the Bronx. This season, the Yankees have taken three of four games against the White Sox.
Will the Yankees take care of business once again, or can the White Sox find better success this time around?
Keuchel Looks to Step Up for the White Sox
The Chicago White Sox enter this contest on a little bit of a slide as they have lost five of their last eight games prior to Thursday. Of those five losses, four have come by at least a two-run margin.
The White Sox have struggled mightily as an underdog this season as they are just 3-9 straight up with six of those nine losses coming by at least two runs. We could see more of the same in this contest as left-hander Dallas Keuchel is slated to take the mound on Friday.
Through six starts this season, Keuchel possesses a 5.54 ERA and 1.962 WHIP. His numbers are even worse when pitching away from home as he possesses an 11.57 ERA and 2.857 WHIP on the road this season.
I don't expect much positive regression from Keuchel as he possesses a .334 xwOBA, .272 xBA, and .412 xSLG. Even if Keuchel performs well, Chicago's bullpen behind him could also pose issues later on.
This season, Chicago's relief pitching ranks just 25th in the league in ERA, 24th in BA, 25th in wOBA, and 24th in WHIP. Furthermore, this pitching staff may not get much run support as the White Sox are slated to go against left-hander Nestor Cortes.
Through 56 career plate appearances against Cortes, this current White Sox roster possesses a mere .200 BA, .309 SLG, and .227 wOBA.
Can Cortes Stay Hot for the Yankees?
The New York Yankees enter this matchup in great form as they are 14-4 straight up at home and have won nine of their last 10 games prior to Thursday. Of those nine wins, five have come by at least a two-run margin.
Starting pitcher Nestor Cortes has been dominant this season as he boasts a 1.35 ERA and 0.850 WHIP through seven starts. He is even better at home as he has produced a 1.00 ERA and 0.611 WHIP through three starts at Yankee Stadium.
His metrics suggest that Cortes should not be facing much regression anytime soon as he boasts .251 xwOBA, .192 xBA, and .322 xSLG. One of the best bullpens in baseball looms behind Cortes.
This season, New York's relief pitching ranks first in the league in ERA, fourth in BA, first in wOBA, and fifth in WHIP. Additionally, this pitching staff should get good run support as the Yankees are slated to go against the left-hander Keuchel.
In 176 career plate appearances against Keuchel, this current Yankees roster possesses a .250 BA, .410 SLG, and .323 wOBA.
White Sox-Yankees Pick
The Yankees have dominated this matchup over the last two seasons as they have won seven of the last nine meetings against the White Sox. Of those seven wins, six have come by at least a two-run margin.
I like New York to keep this trend going as they possess the better hitting matchup, better starting pitcher, better bullpen, and home-field advantage.
Pick: New York Yankees -1.5 (+115) | Play down to (+100)
