The Chicago White Sox might be headed to the American League playoffs, but they're doing so on an ice-cold note as they carry a six-game losing skid into Saturday's encounter with the rival Cubs at Guaranteed Rate Field. The White Sox were 10-0 losers in Friday's series opener and are averaging fewer than three runs per game over the course of their losing streak.
- Date/Time: September 26, 7:10 p.m. ET
- Arena: Guaranteed Rate Field
- TV Coverage: MARQ, NBCSCH
- Sportsbook Odds: White Sox -127 | O/U 8.5 (Line History)
- Cubs vs White Sox Matchup Report
Sportsbook Odds Analysis
The White Sox opened as -127 favorites but have seen the line grow all the way to -150 to -155 depending on where you shop; the Cubs are between +130 and +139. The total kicked off at 8.5, but is now 9 in most spots.
Starting Pitchers Analysis
Cubs left-hander Jon Lester (3-2, 4.40 ERA) has had an up-and-down season but is wrapping things up on a strong note, having allowed just two earned runs over 17 innings in his last three starts (in which the Cubs are 2-1). He has converted the UNDER in four consecutive starts, with those games averaging a combined 5.3 total runs.
White Sox counterpart Dane Dunning (2-0, 3.19 ERA) was roughed up last time out against the Cleveland Indians but remains one of the most consistent South Side starter options, limiting opponents to a stingy .260 OBP in 31 innings. The White Sox are 5-1 SU and 2-3-1 O/U in the rookie's six outings in 2020, and his 1.03 WHIP leads all Chicago pitchers with five or more starts.
Chicago Cubs News & Notes
The Cubs might have the upper hand in this all-Windy City series, but an inconsistent offense could cause them significant issues in the National League playoffs. The NL Central leaders have scored two or fewer runs in six of their last eight games, with their 10-run outburst in Friday's opener equaling the number of runs they had scored in their previous seven games combined.
And while the pitching staff has held this team steady despite a .221 batting average for the season, the Cubs will need offense, plain and simple. And a healthy and productive Kris Bryant is at the center of that; Bryant, who is battling an oblique injury, is batting a dismal .195 for the season with two home runs and five RBIs through 123 at-bats in the shortened season.
Chicago White Sox News & Notes
The White Sox had no answer for sensational Cubs right-hander Yu Darvish in the series opener, managing just three hits in seven dominant innings. But they should have no such issues Saturday; they're one of the top teams in the majors against left-handed pitching this season, boasting an MLB-best .527 slugging percentage and a .357 OBP (second-highest in baseball).
The final two days of the regular season present one final opportunity for White Sox first baseman Jose Abreu to strengthen his case for the American League MVP award. The veteran slugger enters Saturday with a .319/.369/.625 slash line to go along with 19 HRs (second in the AL) and 57 RBIs (first). He's 8-for-23 with two HRs and nine RBIs all-time vs. Lester.
Betting Pick: Chicago White Sox (-150)
The White Sox are struggling, but an encounter with a left-handed starter could be just what they need to get back on track – and at this point, we simply can't trust the Cubs to put up another solid offensive showing.
- CHC is 13-7 SU in the last 20 games vs CWS.
- The UNDER is 4-9 in the White Sox's last 13 games.
- The UNDER is 8-2 in the Cubs' last 10 road games.
