Cubs, White Sox Set for Chi-Town Clash on South Side

The Chicago White Sox could use a little something to get them going. Perhaps a visit from their woebegone neighbors to the north will help. And the Sox get to face the Chicago Cubs after the latter suffered through an embarrassing 20-5 loss to the Cincinnati Reds; the kind of setback that can linger for a bit. The Cubs vs White Sox series odds are always interesting and could change quickly, check the sportsbook.

Of course, the White Sox are coming off a lopsided loss of their own in the series finale vs Boston. Indeed, Windy City baseball is not at its best, something to keep in mind when glancing at the Cubs vs White Sox series odds. Also note that the White Sox took two at Wrigley Field in April and have won seven of the last eight matchups.

Opening Game Information

• Game: Cubs (18-26) at White Sox (22-22)
• Location: Guaranteed Rate Field
• Day/Time: Saturday 7:15 p.m. ET
• Television: FOX

Cubs Sinking in National League Central

The ugly loss at Cincinnati was not only the sixth in the last nine games for David Ross’s club, but they also dropped into fourth place in the NL Central. A glance at the Chicago Cubs standings shows them looking up at the Pittsburgh Pirates, who have the worst run differential in the majors by a pretty good margin.

Not a great place to be.

If the Cubbies want to find a silver lining, they might look to the fact that they entered Thursday’s tilt with the Reds with a positive run differential of their own. They’ve performed a bit better than their record would indicate.

They’ve won seven of Keegan Thompson’s 10 appearances – including his two starts. He’ll get the nod in Saturday’s primetime opener. Wade Miley, who is 1-0 with a 2.08 ERA over his last two starts, goes for the Cubs in Sunday’s finale.

This starts a crucial stretch for the Cubs if they’re going to have any relevance this summer. After taking on their in-city rivals, they play nine straight – all at Wrigley Field – against NL Central front-runners Milwaukee and St. Louis.

If motivation is any factor in backing a particular team in a particular sport, then now might be the time to think about getting behind the Cubs.

White Sox Ran into Red Sox Buzzsaw

In losing two of three to Boston, Chicago White Sox pitchers were tattooed for 33 runs (32 of them in the two losses) in 27 innings. The Red Sox accumulated seven homers, nine doubles and 17 walks in the three-game set.

This miserable stretch raised the White Sox ERA, which was second-best in the AL last year, to 4.10, better than only Seattle and Kansas City in the junior circuit. That’s the first time it has sat over 4.00 since April 27 and the highest it’s been since resting at 5.19 following the first game of the year.

Again, not a great place to be.

The White Sox are also in the midst of a challenging stretch of the season. After going 3-3 against the New York Yankees and red-hot Red Sox, they get the Cubs for these two and then have to visit Toronto and Tampa Bay before hosting the Los Angeles Dodgers.

Like the Cubs, it’s a great time for Tony La Russa’s squad to figure things out.

Veteran Johnny Cueto is unscored upon in 12 innings in his first two starts with the White Sox and goes opposite Thompson. Perhaps he’s the guy to help spare a bullpen that was forced to work 16 total innings in the three games against Boston.

Tim Anderson keeps raking for the White Sox, pulling into Friday ranked second in the majors with a .363 average. The rest of the team is a collective .219.

Who’s Hot

• Frank Schwindel, Cubs 1B/DH: Four home runs and seven RBIs over his last six games.
• Ian Happ, Cubs LF: .333 with a pair of homers over his last six games.
• Andrew Vaughan, White Sox OF/DH: 7-for-16 with a home run and six RBIs over a four-game stretch.
• Reynaldo Lopez, White Sox RP: Allowed two earned runs in 10⅓ innings a month.

Who’s Not

• Alfonso Rivas, Cubs 1B: Since notching the go-ahead two-run single at San Diego on May 11, he has six hits in 37 at-bats.
• Jonathan Villar, Cubs 2B: Followed up a recent hot stretch by going 1-for-14 with four strikeouts over his last three games.
• Yasmani Grandal, White Sox C: Slugging percentage is a woeful .230 after his career-high .520 last year.
• Dallas Keuchel, White Sox SP: Struggling veteran has seen his ERA soar to 7.88 with 12 runs allowed in six innings over the last two outings.

Injury Update

• Cubs OF Seiya Suzuki exited Wednesday’s loss with a sprained finger after an awkward slide into second base.
• Cubs C Yan Gomes was put on the IL earlier this week with an oblique strain.
• Cubs 2B Nick Madrigal (back) is expected to begin a rehab assignment Saturday.
• Cubs RP Sean Newcomb (ankle) will make his second rehab outing Friday.
• White Sox RP Joe Kelly (hamstring) was placed on the IL on Thursday.
• White Sox SP Lance Lynn (knee) is expected to make his first rehab start this weekend.
• White Sox OF Eloy Jimenez (knee) is also expected to begin a rehab stint this weekend.

Cubs vs White Sox Series Odds Betting Tips

This won’t be the most anticipated matchup in the history of this Chicago rivalry, as both teams are scuffling. But they’ll both be rested after being given the uncommon Friday off-day by the MLB schedulers.

As always, look to the mound matchups when gazing at the Cubs vs White Sox series odds. If Cueto can remain sharp and Dylan Cease, who fanned 21 Cub’s in just 11 innings last year, and can bounce back from a rocky outing vs the Red Sox his last time out, the south siders have a chance to extend the Cubs’ misery. White Sox (-140) Cubs (+125) Total (8 1/2 Over-115).