The Chicago Cubs (56-73) kick off a five-game road trip Friday night with the first game in a three-game series against the AL Central-leading Chicago White Sox (74-55). First pitch Friday night is at 8:10 p.m. ET at Guaranteed Rate Field. Let’s analyze the lines around the Cubs vs. White Sox odds with MLB picks and predictions.
Cubs RHP Keegan Thompson (3-3, 2.42 ERA) makes his third major-league start. He has a 1.32 WHIP, 4.8 BB/9 and 8.9 K/9 through 44 2/3 IP.
- Thompson is making consecutive starts for the first time this season. He had one start May 4 and his most recent Aug. 28.
- In his last start, he took the loss, allowing two runs in four innings.
White Sox LHP Dallas Keuchel (8-7, 4.71 ERA) makes his 25th start. He has a 1.36 WHIP, 3.1 BB/9 and 5.4 K/9 through 135 2/3 IP.
- The White Six have lost five of his last six starts.
- He has 12 appearances that he has allowed two earned runs or less. He has nine where he has allowed four or more. He last five starts have alternated between good and bad with his last one being bad. He allowed six runs on nine hits in five innings.
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 7:50 a.m. ET.
- Money line: Cubs +180 (bet $100 to win $180) | White Sox -220 (bet $220 to win $100)
- Against the spread/ATS: Cubs +1.5 (-112) | White Sox -1.5 (-108)
- Over/Under: 9.5 (O: +105 | U: -130)
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Prediction
White Sox 6, Cubs 3
Money line (ML)
The Cubs are 23-41 on the road this season and have lost 12 of their last 19 road games. They are 0-3 against the Sox this season getting swept at Wrigley Field Aug. 6-8.
The White Sox have the second-most home wins in the majors with 42 and are 45-22 against teams that are under .500. If Keuchel continues his trend of good start-bad start every other appearance, he will be very good tonight.
Take the WHITE SOX (-220).
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Run line/Against the spread (ATS)
Both teams have an identical 66-63 ATS record this season, although the White Sox are an average +0.2 ATS while the Cubs are -0.6.
The Cubs have covered the spread in 59.4% of their road games this season. However, they are 5-14 ATS in their last 19 games and failed to cover the spread in any of their three games against the White Sox this season.
The White Sox are 33-31 ATS at home. They are only 6-10 ATS in their last 16 games.
Take the WHITE SOX -1.5 (-108).
Over/Under (O/U)
Two of the three games they played against each other earlier this month had double-digit totals.
52.5% of the games played at Guaranteed Rate Field have hit the Over this season.
However, neither of Thompson’s two starts this season have had totals of 10 runs or more, and only two of Kuechel’s last six starts have.
Only three of the Sox’s last 12 games have finished with 10 runs or more.
Take UNDER 9.5 (-130).
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