Cubs vs White Sox Odds - Cubs will rule the Windy City once more
The Cubs vs White Sox odds excite MLB betting fans like few other matchups. The North visits the South in an interleague battle between two teams faring similarly in their respective divisions. Neither the Cubbies nor the Pale Hose are out of the Central races, but both are in danger of slipping away if they don’t start stringing wins together soon.
Cubs vs White Sox Odds: Both teams fading in Central division races
- Mr. Contreras, meet Mr. Soriano
- Ryan Dempster is back in a groove
- John Danks owns the Cubbies this season
Friday, June 26, 4:05 p.m. ET
Randy Wells (1-3, 2.57) vs Jose Contreras (2-6, 5.23)
Something has to give when two of baseball’s hotter pitchers clash in a Friday matinee. Randy Wells has been Mr. Hard Luck for the Cubs this season, as it took eight starts to get his first win despite his 2.57 ERA. Hitter-friendly U.S. Cellular allows homers like few other parks, but Wells shouldn’t be too shaken; he has a 2.10 road ERA and, amazingly, has allowed just two long balls all season in 49 innings.
Jose Contreras could be in trouble Friday if history tells us anything. Several of the Cubs’ active regulars own him, especially Alfonso Soriano, who hits .625 off him with three homers in just eight at-bats. This Cubs vs White Sox odds could be just what Soriano needs to end his slump.
MLB betting pick: Cubs
Saturday, June 27, 4:10 p.m. ET
Ryan Dempster (4-5, 3.83) vs Mark Buehrle (7-2, 3.17)
Year, in, year out, Mark Buehrle gets it done for the White Sox, always finding the strike zone and sacrificing a bunch of homers as a result. As his numbers suggest, 2009 has been no different at the offshore sportsbook, and he even pitches better at home. However, bettors should be careful with him; he’s allowed four-plus runs in three of his last four starts and he’s a mediocre 4-4 against the Cubbies in his career with 10 homers allowed in just 67 innings.
Ryan Dempster will always walk guys, but his Cubs vs White Sox odds look promising for sports betting fans. He’s returning to his 2008 form, tossing five straight quality starts and seven in his last eight. He does have a poor track record at U.S. Cellular and he’s allowing more homers than normal this season, but it seems like he can handle any offense right now. I like the Cubs again.
MLB betting pick: Cubs
Sunday, June 28, 2:05 p.m. ET
Carlos Zambrano (4-2, 3.48) vs John Danks (5-6, 4.43)
The marquee pitching matchup of the Cubs vs White Sox odds pits Carlos “Big Z” Zambrano against lefty John Danks. The emotional Zambrano probably wishes he could DH in the AL Park, but he’ll have to settle for trying to blow away White Sox hitters. He’s found his groove of late, still walking lots of batters but dominating with his borderline unhittable stuff. He’s allowed three or fewer runs in nine straight outings. To succeed, he may want to pitch around Paul Konerko, who’s cranked four homers off him in 25 career at-bats.
But as good as Big Z is, Danks gets the edge in the Cubs vs White Sox odds. He mowed down the Cubs at Wrigley Field last week, allowing one run over seven innings while striking out nine. He also has a 3.89 home ERA and strikes out roughly a batter per inning at U.S. Cellular, so I like him to mow down the Cubs bats while they’re still not fully out of their funk.
MLB betting pick: White Sox
For sports betting lines including the Cubs vs White Sox odds, visit the Betting Edge at BetOnline.com.
Before his arm flamed out, Dale “Skip” Lalonde was famous for his high-90s heat and power at the plate. He retired young but never turned his back on baseball, earning the nickname “Skip” for his high-school coaching prowess. A true student of the game, he loves crunching the numbers when he handicaps baseball. Email Comments@BetOnline.com.
