The Chicago White Sox (6-3) play the Cleveland Guardians (4-5) in the first of a traditional doubleheader Wednesday at Progressive Field. First pitch of Game 1 is set for 2:10 p.m. ET. Let’s analyze Tipico Sportsbook‘s lines around the White Sox vs. Guardians odds with MLB picks and predictions.
The White Sox-Guardians games Monday and Tuesday were rained out, which led to Wednesday’s doubleheader.
Chicago won its first three series, all 2-1, at the Detroit Tigers Opening Day weekend and then at home versus the Seattle Mariners and the Tampa Bay Rays last week.
Cleveland rode a 4-game winning streak into its previous series with San Francisco, but was swept at home last weekend by the Giants and outscored 16-4 in the series.
The White Sox won last season’s regular-season series over the Guardians 10-9 and Chicago outscored Cleveland 81-74.
White Sox at Guardians: Projected starters
LHP Dallas Keuchel vs. RHP Shane Bieber
Keuchel (1-0, 5.40 ERA) won his first start last Wednesday versus the Mariners 12-11, throwing 5 1/3 IP with 5 ER on 5 H and 1 BB with 4 K.
- 2021 vs. Guardians: 0-1 with. 6.61 ERA (16 1/3 IP, 12 ER), 12 H, 7 BB and 10 K in 3 starts.
- vs. Guardians on the current roster: 4.92 FIP with a .270 batting average (BA), .332 wOBA, .459 expected slugging percentage (xSLG), 12.7 K% and 89.4 mph exit velocity (EV) in 79 plate appearances (PA).
Bieber (0-0) has two straight no-decisions on the road, versus the Kansas City Royals and Cincinnati Reds to open the season. He went 5 1/3 IP with 3 ER on 2 H and 3 BB with 5 K in Cleveland’s 10-5 win April 12 at the Reds.
- 2021 vs. White Sox: 3-0 with a 1.80 ERA (25 IP, 5 ER), 0.76 WHIP and 11.5 K/9 in 4 starts.
- vs. White Sox on the current roster: 2.53 FIP with a .215 BA, .252 wOBA, .375 xSLG, 33.1 K% and 91.5 mph EV in 124 PA.
White Sox at Guardians and lines
Odds provided by Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 10:37 a.m. ET.
- Money line (ML): White Sox +115 (bet $100 to win $115) | Guardians -140 (bet $140 to win $100)
- Run line (RL)/Against the spread (ATS): White Sox +1.5 (-180) | Guardians -1.5 (+145)
- Over/Under (O/U): 7.5 (O: -122 | U: -102)
Exclusive USA TODAY Network offer: Deposit $10 or more, get $200 in instant bet credits at Tipico Sportsbook! New customer offer in CO and NJ. 21+, see Tipico.com for Terms and Conditions. Place your legal, online sports bets at Tipico. Let’s make this interesting. Bet now!
White Sox at Guardians picks and predictions
Prediction
Guardians 6, White Sox 3
Money line
LEAN to the GUARDIANS (-140) mostly because Bieber is on the mound, but this is a little pricey considering the White Sox (+115) are one of the best teams in the American League.
However, Chicago has lost five straight games as road underdogs with Keuchel on the bump. In Keuchel’s only start last season in Progressive Field, the Guardians had a 50% hard-hit rate but just a. .222 BABIP.
If you can find a price for Cleveland’s first 5-inning ML then I’d take that since Bieber is one of the best starters in baseball and Keuchel is a middle-of-the-rotation guy.
But, I LEAN GUARDIANS (-140) for the full game.
Win your fantasy baseball league with BaseballHQ.com. For decades, BHQ has been helping players just like you win! Use the couple code SBW22 for $15 OFF a Draft Prep or full-season subscription. New customer offer; expires 4/30/2022. Subscribe today and start winning!
Run line/Against the spread
LEAN to the GUARDIANS -1.5 (+145) because their lineup should rough up Keuchel and Cleveland’s bullpen is good enough to hold any lead Bieber turns over to them.
Furthermore, the Guardians are 48-32 RL in division games since the beginning of last season while the White Sox are just 37-42 RL versus divisional foes and 12-15 RL as road underdogs.
My hesitation with Cleveland’s RL is Chicago has a MLB top-5 lineup and bullpen and I’d prefer the Over as my favorite play in the White Sox-Guardians.
Over/Under
BET the OVER 7.5 (-122) for 1 unit because the Guardians are 5-1 O/U in Bieber’s last 6 starts versus teams with a winning record and there’s some logic to fading the market betting the Under with Bieber is on the mound.
Also, 7 or more runs have been scored in 7 of Keuchel’s last 9 starts dating back to last year.
Lastly, Bieber and Keuchel’s ERAs are higher when starting with 6 or more rest days than any other rest split, Bieber actually has a worse home ERA whereas Keuchel pitches worse on the road throughout his career.
The OVER 7.5 (-122) is my favorite wager in this game.
Bet legally online with a trusted partner: Tipico Sportsbook, Sportsbook Wire’s official sportsbook partner in CO, NJ and soon IA. Bet now!
If you’re looking for more sports betting picks and tips, access all of our content at SportsbookWire.com and BetFTW. Please gamble responsibly.
Follow Geoff Clark on Twitter. Follow SportsbookWire on Twitter and like us on Facebook.
Gannett may earn revenue from Tipico for audience referrals to betting services. Tipico has no influence over nor are any such revenues in any way dependent on or linked to the newsrooms or news coverage. See Tipico.com for Terms and Conditions. 21+ only. Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER (NJ), 1-800-522-4700 (CO), 1-800-BETS-OFF (IA).
[lawrence-newsletter]
[lawrence-auto-related count=3 category=1372]