It’s a shortened MLB regular season winding down this weekend with one of the more intriguing matchups being September 25th Cubs at White Sox betting. This ‘Crosstown Classic” features two playoff-bound teams. The North Siders hold a 2.5 game lead over St. Louis in the NL Central while the Pale Hose trail the Twins by a game in the AL Central.
The Cubs are on a three game losing streak but are -156 for Friday night’s meeting with Yu Darvish (7-3, 2.22 ERA) making his last regular season start. The White Sox are +146 after dropping five straight of their own, countering with Dylan Cease (5-3, 3.52 ERA) in what looks to be a pitcher’s duel. The betting total is 8.
Cubs Offense in Shambles
Chicago needs a combination of 3 wins or losses by St. Louis to clinch the Central division crown. This is a team limping into the postseason though and are 8/1 to win the NL Pennant, the fourth highest odds. The Cubs won the series opener 5-0 against the Pirates on Monday, but dropped three straight to Pittsburgh.
It’s no secret where David Ross‘ team is struggling coming into September 25th Cubs at White Sox betting – on offense. The Cubs have scored three runs total the last three games. That includes managing just 3 hits off Trevor Williams (who has a 6.18 ERA) on Wednesday and being held hitless until the 6th inning against Chad Kuhl on Thursday.
The good news for Chicago is that they might not need a whole lot of offense to get the win on Friday with Yu Darvish on the mound. The right-hander will probably finish 2nd to Trevor Bauer in NL Cy Young voting, but has at least 7 K’s in eight straight starts. Darvish has 36 strike outs to just 5 walks in September, but has a higher 3.46 ERA this month. He does have a 0.69 ERA in two road starts this season though.
Renteria On the Hot Seat
The Sox have had a positive 2020 campaign – but with great results come bigger expectations. The South Side fan base is up in arms heading into the final series of the regular season after they think manager Rick Renteria let one get away on Thursday.
Renteria brought in the freshly activated Carlos Rodon for his first appearance since August 3rd and first relief outing in five years to close things out against Cleveland. That blew up almost instantly as the Indians scored four runs in the bottom of the 7th sending the White Sox to their fifth straight loss.
Will Renteria be overthinking himself heading into a meeting with his former team the Cubs? Dylan Cease can take a lot of pressure off his manager with a strong outing. Cease has held 8 of the last 10 opponents to 2 ER or less. The Cubs scored 2 ER in 6.0 IP off the right-hander on August 23rd as Darvish limited the White Sox in getting the 2-1 win.
September 25th Cubs at White Sox Betting Free Pick
This is a tough meeting to gauge with two teams who aren’t exactly surging into the postseason. The White Sox did take 2 of 3 earlier in the season at Wrigley, but the game they lost was 2-1 in the Darvish – Cease series finale. The Cubs aren’t hitting anything right now, and Darvish has dominated in his only two road starts this season.
Free Pick: Under 8
