The Chicago White Sox (61-59) take on the Cleveland Guardians (64-55) Saturday in the 2nd game of a 3-game set at Progressive Field. First pitch is set for 6:10 p.m. ET. Let’s analyze Tipico Sportsbook‘s lines around the White Sox vs. Guardians odds with MLB picks and predictions.
Season series: Guardians lead 9-5
The tides keep turning for the White Sox, who have dropped 3 in a row after a 5-game win streak. They are 26-26 within the division and 3½ games back of the 1st-place Guardians. If there was a must-win game in August, this is it.
The Guardians took care of business 5-2 in Friday’s opener behind RHP Triston McKenzie’s career-high 14 strikeouts. They’re in a good position with their ace on the hill Saturday. Cleveland has won 10 of 13 and boast a 32-24 home record.
Play our free daily Pick’em Challenge and win! Play now!
White Sox at Guardians projected starters
RHP Johnny Cueto vs. RHP Shane Bieber
Cueto (5-5, 2.78 ERA) makes his 17th start and 18th appearance. He has a 1.20 WHIP, 2.0 BB/9 and 5.8 K/9 in 110 IP.
- Allowed 1 ER on 6 H and 1 BB with 3 K in 8 IP last time out to beat the visiting Houston Astros 4-2 Monday
- No-decision at home against Cleveland July 23 after allowing 3 ER on 8 H and 1 BB with 0 K in 7 IP
Bieber (8-6, 3.18 ERA) makes his 23rd start. He has a 1.10 WHIP, 1.9 BB/9 and 9.1 K/9 in 138 2/3 IP.
- Owns a 3.21 ERA (47 2/3 IP, 17 ER) and 5-2 record over the last 7 starts
- Allowed 6 ER in 6 IP in 6-3 loss at the White Sox July 24 but held them to 2 ER in 15 IP, including complete-game victory, in other 2 starts against them this year, both wins
White Sox at Guardians odds 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 1:38 p.m. ET.
- Money line (ML): White Sox +145 (bet $100 to win $145) | Guardians -180 (bet $180 to win $100)
- Run line (RL)/Against the spread (ATS): White Sox +1.5 (-155) | Guardians -1.5 (+125)
- Over/Under (O/U): 7.5 (O: -107 | U: -115)
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 4, White Sox 2
Money line
It’s possible that Chicago steals this one as Cueto was awesome against Houston last time out. However, I think Bieber holds it down at home. Cleveland has scored 4 or more runs in 7 of 9 games, and that’s what it will take to get it done Saturday.
Instead of paying the -180 juice, let’s go with GUARDIANS TOTAL RUNS OVER 3.5 (-150).
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 20% OFF full-season subscription. New customer offer; expires 8/31/2022. Subscribe today and start winning!
Run line/Against the spread
I’m not confident enough in the Guardians offense, despite picking a 4-2 win to throw down on the RL. One way we can go is to read into Bieber’s last 2 starts at home against the White Sox. He allowed 3 hits in 9 innings (July 12) and 4 hits in 6 innings (April 20).
So, let’s go with WHITE SOX UNDER 4.5 HITS FIRST 5 INNINGS (-145) for a HALF UNIT.
Over/Under
The Over is just 3-7 in the Guardians’ last 10 games, and they’ve won 7 of those.
The Under is 4-0 in the last 4 meetings between these teams in Cleveland.
The Under is 5-0 in Bieber’s last 5 home starts when the total was between 7.0-8.5.
UNDER 7.5 (-115) looks good Saturday.
Bet legally online with a trusted partner: Tipico Sportsbook, Sportsbook Wire’s official sportsbook partner in CO and NJ. Bet now!
If you’re looking for more sports betting picks and tips, access all of our content at SportsbookWire.com and BetFTW, or try out our USA TODAY Parlay Calculator. Please gamble responsibly.
Follow Ryan Dodson on Twitter. Follow SportsbookWire on Twitter and like us on Facebook.
Additional MLB coverage:
BaseballHQ Fantasy Baseball
BaseballPress.com: Your source for every MLB lineup
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).
[lawrence-newsletter]
[lawrence-auto-related count=3 category=1372]