The Chicago Cubs will host the Chicago White Sox at Wrigley Field on Friday afternoon for the start of a three game series. This will be the first of the 6 scheduled meetings between the crosstown rivals this season. Since 1997, the Chicago White Sox lead the season series over the Cubs 58-54. The Cubs won three of the 4 games played between the clubs last season.
The White Sox enter this series having lost their last 5 games. The White Sox find themselves in last place in the AL Central with a 9-25 record. The Cubs just completed a three game sweep of the Miami Marlins and have some momentum. The Cubs are 19-15 on the season and are just 1 game out of 1st place in the NL Central. The Chicago Cubs are -220 over the Chicago White Sox on Friday in Major League Baseball action.
White Sox In A Rebuild
The Chicago White Sox are in rebuilding mode, and the process is going slower than expected. Manager Rick Renteria is tasked with trying to break in young talent while also trying to compete at the big league level. So far in 2018, this hasn’t gone well. The White Sox offense is led by Matt Davidson. The designated hitter has hit 9 home runs and driving in 19 RBI’s for the White Sox.
Young right hander, Carson Fulmer will start for the White Sox in game 1 of this series. Fulmer is 2-2 on the season, but sports a lofty 5.02 ERA. Fulmer expects to be a mainstay in the White Sox rotation for years to come. He will be faced with the tough task of trying to shut down the Cubs potentially potent lineup.
Cubs Need Consistent Offense
Speaking of the Cubs offense, it’s been a year of inconsistency for Joe Maddon’s ballclub. They are ranked 8th in the Major Leagues in runs scored, but just went through a rough scoring drought. Cubs’ leader, Anthony Rizzo appears to be breaking out of his slow start. Rizzo had 5 RBI’s in the previous game and is finally over the .200 mark for the year.
Tyler Chatwood will start game 1 for the Cubs. Chatwood signed with the Cubs this offseason to help bolster their rotation, but has been shaky at times. Control has been a major issue for Chatwood this season and he has allowed 27 walks in just 32.2 innings of work. If Chatwood can find the strike zone, he will give the Cubs a great chance to win the game.
Cubs Take Game 1
The records or current standings never matter when these two teams square off, and Wrigley Field will be packed with fans from both sides. The Cubs are clearly the better team, but the White Sox would love to knock off their crosstown rival. This rivalry should get more intense as the White Sox continue to promote young talent.
If Chatwood is able to give the Cubs a quality start, the offense and the bullpen will do the rest. The Cubs’ bats seem to be heating up as the weather gets warmer. Anthony Rizzo will stay hot and lead the Cubs offense to a big day. Bet the Chicago Cubs -220 over the Chicago White Sox on Friday.
