White Sox vs Cubs Odds: Long Lost Season Continues for White Sox
Can White Sox Play Spoiler With Neighboring Rivals?
The Chicago Cubs will look to build on their second-half resurgence when they host the tumbling Chicago White Sox for a two-game interleague set, starting Tuesday. The Cubs are already 2-0 against their neighboring rivals this season, having swept two games last month at Guaranteed Rate Field.
Now, the rivalry turns to historic Wrigley Field. In the opener, the Cubs are -1.5 (+122) on the run line and -168 to win outright, with the White Sox priced at +142. The projected run total is 8.5, with the Under bumped to -106. Read on as we break down both teams in our White Sox vs Cubs odds preview.
White Sox vs Cubs 
Day/Time:
Location: Wrigley Field
White Sox Keep Sinking
The Chicago White Sox were the subject of optimism in spring training, having separated themselves as a +138 co-favorite to win the American League Central alongside the Cleveland Guardians. In the six months to follow, it’s been all downhill. And that’s putting it mildly.
Indeed, Chicago has been a colossal disappointment, with a 47-72 record under new manager Pedro Grifol. It entered Monday with a .395 winning percentage, better than only three teams in Major League Baseball. As such, the White Sox — 14.5 games behind in the division and 18.5 games out of the wild card — have fallen off the odds board in the AL playoff market.
Outside of All-Star outfielder Luis Robert Jr., who’s hit 31 homers but missed Sunday’s 7-3 loss to the Milwaukee Brewers (finger), there’s little reason for optimism on the South Side of Chicago. Unfortunately, that’s unlikely to change anytime soon, with very little to look forward to within the farm system.
The White Sox were swept by the Brewers over the weekend, dropping them to 4-6 over their last 10 games on the baseball schedule and 9-18 since the All-Star break. They rank 25th in runs scored and 24th in team ERA (4.59), a toxic combination that helps explain their demise.
Cubs Picking Up Steam
The Chicago Cubs are just the opposite of the White Sox, a young, resurgent ballclub that continues to rise up the MLB power rankings. They’ve gone 19-10 over the season’s second half to climb within 4.5 games of the Brewers in the National League Central and a half-game out of the third and final wild card spot entering Monday. As such, the Cubs are now +165 to win the division and -120 to make the playoffs.
Chicago’s rotation remains a bit suspect, with All-Star right-hander Marcus Stroman having hit the 15-day injured list last week because of hip inflammation. In four starts since the All-Star Game, Stroman’s allowed 19 runs (18 earned) over 16 innings. The Cubs rank 15th in team ERA (4.19) but are ninth in quality starts with 51.
Outfielder Cody Bellinger has been a driving force in the Cubs’ turnaround. Signed to a one-year, $17.5-million contract last December, the former NL Most Valuable Player has enjoyed a renaissance with the North Siders. He’s batting .328 with 18 homers, 59 RBI, and 17 stolen bases. That includes a .335 average and .386 on-base percentage at hitter-friendly Wrigley Field.
The 28-year-old Bellinger has been especially hot in August, with a .422 average and 13 RBI in 45 at-bats. Keep that in mind when assessing the White Sox vs Cubs odds.
Odds Outlook
The Cubs have been one of the more profitable teams for bettors, with a 63-55 record against the run line. They’re also 32-28 ATS at home, the third-best cover rate (53.3%) in MLB entering Monday, according to MLB lines. Conversely, the White Sox are 60-59 ATS, including 32-29 on the road.
âš¾ Game 1 âš¾
Kyle Hendricks vs Touki Toussaint
Tuesday, 8:05 p.m. ET
After missing the first seven weeks of the season with a right shoulder strain, Hendricks has been steady in the Cubs’ rotation. He is 4-6 with a 3.96 ERA, though he’s performed far worse at home (5.50 ERA) than on the road (2.86 ERA). The right-hander last faced the White Sox on July 25, limiting them to three runs over 6.1 innings in a 7-3 victory.
The White Sox will counter with Toussaint. The former top prospect is 1-5 with a 4.27 ERA over 10 appearances (six starts). He’s been hit hard on the road, going 0-3 with a 5.47 ERA. The 27-year-old pitched a scoreless inning in relief against the Cubs in a 10-7 loss on July 26.
âš¾ Game 2 âš¾
TBD vs Mike Clevinger
Wednesday, 8:05 p.m. ET
Clevinger is 5-5 with a 3.55 ERA. The right-hander has allowed just four runs over his last 20.2 innings, spanning four starts. The Cubs have yet to name a starter to oppose him, which could affect the White Sox vs Cubs odds.
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