Chicago White Sox vs. Chicago Cubs: Crosstown Classic MLB Odds, Prediction
The Crosstown Classic already delivered one of Chicago’s best games of the season on Monday, and we are set for another banger Tuesday night at Wrigley Field.
Pete Crow-Armstrong opened Monday’s game with a home run and ended it with a two-run walk-off shot in the 10th as the Cubs escaped with a 7-5 victory. The Cubs remain firmly in the National League Wild Card picture, while the White Sox continue to lead the AL Central.
First pitch Tuesday is scheduled for 8:05 p.m. ET on TBS, with Kevin Gausman starting for the Cubs against a White Sox bullpen game.
MLB Betting Odds and Trends
The MLB odds board has the Cubs listed as -180 moneyline favourites to take tonight’s game.
If recent history is any indication, bettors should expect offence. All four meetings between these teams this season have reached double digits in combined runs, finishing 10-5, 8-3, 9-8 and 7-5.
The specific context of tonight also favours another high-scoring affair. The Cubs rank fourth in baseball with a .778 OPS at home and third in OPS since the All-Star break. Chicago’s South Side bullpen, meanwhile, enters Tuesday heavily taxed after an exhausting stretch.
Chicago White Sox
The White Sox showed Monday why they remain dangerous even when the hits are not coming consistently. Randal Grichuk launched a three-run homer off Shota Imanaga, while Andrew Benintendi delivered a two-run, pinch-hit blast in the ninth to briefly put the Sox ahead.
Power remains their biggest offensive weapon. They rank 14th in road OPS at .715 and 14th against right-handed pitching, but have struggled to hit for average against righties in August.
The bigger concern is pitching. Chicago used several relievers Monday after leaning heavily on its bullpen during the previous series against Detroit. Asking that group to cover an entire game Tuesday is a difficult proposition against one of baseball’s hottest lineups.
Chicago Cubs
The Cubs enter with plenty of momentum after Crow-Armstrong’s spectacular Monday performance. The MVP candidate finished a triple shy of the cycle, launched his 29th and 30th home runs of the season and became a 30-homer, 30-steal player for the second consecutive year.
Seiya Suzuki also homered, continuing to thrive since moving into the No. 2 spot behind Crow-Armstrong. Since July 11, the first two spots in Chicago’s order have produced an .887 OPS, giving the Cubs immediate pressure at the top of the lineup.
Gausman’s recent results have been misleading, as he has limited hard contact and home runs while being hurt by an unusually high batting average on balls in play.
Who Will Win White Sox vs. Cubs?
The Cubs are the more trustworthy side, but the Over is the stronger betting angle.
Gausman should provide Chicago with a major advantage over a White Sox bullpen game, yet the South Siders have enough power to contribute, especially with favourable hitting conditions expected at Wrigley.
The Cubs’ offence is rolling, ranking third in OPS since the break, while the White Sox relief corps is being asked to shoulder another enormous workload after an exhausting week.
Every Crosstown meeting this season has produced at least 12 total runs. There is little reason to expect Tuesday to suddenly become a pitchers’ duel.