The Chicago White Sox (26-15) stop by the Steel City to play the Pittsburgh Pirates (13-26) in the first game of a 2-game series in PNC Park at 7:05 p.m. ET Tuesday. Below, we analyze the White Sox-Pirates MLB betting odds and lines, with picks and best bets.
White Sox at Pirates: Projected starting pitchers
RHP Dylan Cease vs. RHP Joe Musgrove
Cease: 5-2 with a 3.29 ERA, 1.34 WHIP, 6.1 K/9 and 4.4 BB/9 in 41 IP over 8 starts.
- Last start: Win with 5 IP, 4 H, 3 ER, 1 K and 2 BB at the Kansas City Royals Sept. 3.
Musgrove: 0-4 with a 6.62 ERA, 1.64 WHIP, 10.7 K/9 and 5.6 BB/9 in 17 2/3 IP over 4 starts.
- Last start: Loss with 3 IP, 2 ER, 4 K and 0 BB against the Chicago Cubs Sept. 2.
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White Sox at Pirates: Key injuries
(Get the latest injury news here.)
White Sox
- OF Leury Garcia (thumb) out
Pirates
- CF Anthony Alford (elbow) out
- RP Keone Kela (forearm) out
Also see: BaseballHQ Fantasy Baseball
White Sox at Pirates: Odds, lines, picks and betting tips
MLB odds courtesy of BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports for a full list. Odds last updated at 1:20 p.m. ET.
Prediction
White Sox 6, Pirates 2
Moneyline (ML)
The WHITE SOX (-134) are starting to form into the team seamheads had high expectations for. Across major statistical categories, the White Sox have a top-5 lineup and pitching staff. Chicago enters Tuesday’s game after a 4-game sweep at the Kansas City Royals.
The Pirates (+120) split a 4-game series with the Cincinnati Reds. The White Sox beat the Pirates in both of their earlier season meetings by a combined score of 14-3.
The White Sox have played better on the road this season: Chicago is 15-6 in away games and 11-9 in home games. The Pirates are essentially equally as bad on the road (6-13) compared to home (7-13). Ipso facto Chicago has the edge in Pittsburgh’s home ballpark.
It’s noteworthy that all 15 of the White Sox’s losses have come against right-handed starters but some of those names include Yu Darvish and Shane Bieber. Musgrove is not the type of righty worth betting against Chicago.
TAKE THE WHITE SOX (-134). New to sports betting? A $13.40 bet on the White Sox (-134) pays a $10 return if Chicago beats Pittsburgh.
Run line/Against the spread (ATS)
The trends are favorable in this spot: Chicago (-1.5, +110) has a 16-5 run line record as a road team and 11-3 RL as a road favorite. The Pirates (+1.5, -134) have the 3rd-worst RL record in interleague games and three of four Musgrove starts have been decided by three or more runs.
BET THE WHITE SOX -1.5 (+110).
Over/Under (O/U)
Both lineups score significantly fewer runs per game against right-handed pitchers: Righties have a 4.58 ERA versus Chicago (lefties have an 8.38 ERA) and a 3.35 ERA versus Pittsburgh (lefties have a 6.30 ERA).
The Under is 4-0 in the Pirates’ last four games as a home underdog and 4-0-1 in the Pirates’ last five interleague games versus a right-handed starter. I’d make a SMALLER PLAY ON UNDER 9.5 (-106).
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