Chicago Cubs at Chicago White Sox odds, picks and prediction
The Chicago Cubs (56-74) play the second game of a three-game Crosstown Classic set with the Chicago White Sox (75-55) Saturday. First pitch from Guaranteed Rate Field is set for 7:10 p.m. ET. Let's analyze the lines around the Cubs vs. White Soxodds with MLB picks and predictions.
Cubs RHP Alec Mills (5-6, 4.76 ERA) makes his 14th start and 26th appearance. He has a 1.49 WHIP, 2.5 BB/9 and 6.9 K/9 through 81 1/3 IP.
- Has a 4.64 ERA over his last seven starts. The Cubs are 1-6 in those games.
- Owns a 4.23 ERA across 61 2/3 IP as a starter while being hampered by a .345 BABIP.
White Sox RHP Lance Lynn (10-3, 2.20 ERA) makes his 24th start. He has a 1.05 WHIP, 2.8 BB/9 and 10.0 K/9 through 130 2/3 IP.
- His 2.20 ERA and 6.7 H/9 lead the American League amongst qualified pitchers.
- Has allowed more than 1 ER just twice in his last 10 games. Has a 2.29 ERA over 55 IP in that span.
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Cubs at White Sox odds, lines, picks and prediction
MLB odds courtesy of Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports for a full list. Odds last updated at 12:20 p.m. ET.
- Money line: Cubs +230 (bet $100 to win $230) | White Sox -300 (bet $300 to win $100)
- Against the spread/ATS: Cubs +2.5 (-130) | White Sox -2.5 (+105)
- Over/Under: 8.5 (O: -130 | U: +105)
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Prediction
White Sox 7, Cubs 3
Money line (ML)
The White Sox are almost certainly the correct side here as they are significantly better than the Cubs at the plate, in relief pitching and in Saturday's starting pitching matchup.
Despite that being the case, it's not really a good decision to risk three times your return as a standalone bet.
PASS on the money line, and seek value elsewhere.
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Run line/Against the spread (ATS)
The White Sox have a sizable advantage over the Cubs in this one with AL Cy Young-favorite Lynn on the mound. The Sox's ace faced the crosstown-rival Cubs Aug. 6, and held them to 1 ER on 4 H and 2 BB across 6 IP while adding 8 K. There is no reason to believe he won't produce similar numbers Saturday.
They also have a sizable advantage at the plate. The White Sox are a top-10 unit against right-handed pitchers in wRC+, wOBA and OPS; the Cubs rank in the bottom eight of the league in all three categories.
Things get no better for the Cubs when examining the relievers. They have the ninth-worst xFIP and the worst ERA through the second half of the season. They are also coming off a bullpen game Friday where they used seven relievers.
BACK the WHITE SOX -2.5 (+105). If you don't like the added run, and if you don't mind a bit of extra juice, you can play WHITE SOX -1.5 (-140) on the ALTERNATE RUN LINE.
Over/Under (O/U)
I fully anticipate the White Sox to get to the Cubs again Saturday. They've scored 38 runs through the first four games of the season series and had 21 through the first three games before Friday's outburst.
We shouldn't need too much from the Cubs to see this one go OVER 8.5 (-130).
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