The Cleveland Guardians (51-51) and the Chicago White Sox (41-62) open a 4-game series Thursday at Guaranteed Rate Field. First pitch is scheduled for 8:10 p.m. ET (ESPN+). Let’s analyze BetMGM Sportsbook’s lines around the Guardians vs. White Sox odds and make our expert MLB picks and predictions for the best bets.
Season series: White Sox lead 4-2
The Guardians moved back to .500 by taking 2 of 3 games from the Kansas City Royals this week, including an 8-3 win Wednesday as the Over (10) cashed. The Over is on a 7-3 run across the last 10 games for the Guardians.
The White Sox were swept in a 2-game interleague set with the rival Chicago Cubs Tuesday and Wednesday, and they have now dropped 5 in a row. Pitching has been an issue, allowing 34 runs during the skid, or 6.8 runs per game (RPG). The Over is 4-1 during the 5-game span.
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Guardians at White Sox projected starters
RHP Tanner Bibee vs. RHP Dylan Cease
Bibee (6-2, 3.04 ERA) makes his 16th start. He has a 1.19 WHIP, 3.1 BB/9 and 9.2 K/9 in 83 innings.
- Last start: Win, 7 IP, 0 ER, 2 H, 1 BB, 8 K in a 1-0 home win vs. the Philadelphia Phillies Saturday
- 2023 road splits: 2-1, 4.38 ERA (37 IP, 18 ER – 6 HR), .274 opponent batting average (OBA) in 7 starts
Cease (4-3, 4.04 ERA) makes his 22nd start. He has a 1.31 WHIP, 3.7 BB/9 and 10.9 K/9 in 113 2/3 innings.
- Last start: No-decision, 6 IP, 1 ER, 3 H, 2 BB, 9 K in a 3-2 road loss vs. the Minnesota Twins Saturday
- 2023 home splits: 1-2, 4.04 ERA (55 2/3 IP, 25 ER – 7 HR), .242 OBA in 10 starts
- 2023 vs. Cleveland: 1-1, 12 1/3 IP, 5 ER, 10 H (2 HR), 3 BB, 6 K in 2 starts
Guardians at White Sox odds
Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 7:45 a.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): Guardians -105 (bet $105 to win $100) | White Sox -115 (bet $115 to win $100)
- Run line (RL)/Against the spread (ATS): Guardians +1.5 (-210) | White Sox -1.5 (+170)
- Over/Under (O/U): 8.5 (O: -105 | U: -115)
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Guardians at White Sox picks and predictions
Prediction
Guardians 4, White Sox 3
Moneyline
The GUARDIANS (-105) are worth a look in this series opener behind Bibee, who has posted a pair of quality starts in his last 2 outings.
In addition, the White Sox (-115) use a heavy right-handed lineup, and Chicago has the 4th-worst on-base percentage vs. RHP. In addition, Chicago is 0-6 in the past 6 tries against a right-handed starting pitcher, while going 1-10 in the previous 11 vs. RHP.
Run line/Against the spread
The Guardians +1.5 (-210) will cost you over 2 times your potential return if you cannot play Cleveland straight up and require a little insurance.
PASS.
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Over/Under
UNDER 8.5 (-115) is the lean in this series opener between divisional rivals.
The Under has cashed in 4 straight starts between these AL Central foes, including the last 2 outings by Cease against Cleveland.
The Under is 3-2 in the last 5 for the Guardians, while going 4-2 in the last 6 divisional games for the White Sox.
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