The Chicago White Sox (1-8) take on the Cleveland Guardians (7-2) Monday in the opener of a 3-game set at Progressive Field at 5:10 p.m. ET. Let’s analyze BetMGM Sportsbook’s lines around the White Sox vs. Guardians odds and make our expert MLB picks and predictions for the best bets.
Season series: First meeting; White Sox won 8-5 last season
The Sox have gotten off to a rough start in what is expected to be a long season. It got worse when they lost OF Luis Robert to the 10-day IL with a strained adductor muscle Friday. They were swept in 4 games by the Kansas City Royals over the weekend and are last with 1.8 runs per game and 27th with a .196 team batting average. The Sox haven’t announced a starter Monday, but they’re expected to recall someone from the minors.
The Guardians were also dealt a tough blow as RHP Shane Bieber was lost for the season requiring Tommy John surgery. They have won 4 straight, though, and 7 of 9 to open the campaign. The Guardians, who will be playing in their home opener, had an extra day of rest Sunday after they were rained out against the Minnesota Twins.
White Sox at Guardians projected starters
LHP Jared Shuster vs. RHP Triston McKenzie
Shuster (4-3, 5.81 ERA) made 11 starts with the Atlanta Braves last season and had a 1.50 WHIP, 4.4 BB/9 and 5.1 K/9 in 52 2/3 IP.
- Allowed 7 ER on 6 H and 1 BB with 4 K in 4 IP in 1 start March 30 at Charlotte (AAA)
- 2023 home/road splits: 1-3 with a 7.52 ERA, 1.71 WHIP, 4.1 K/9 in 6 road GS vs. 3-0, 4.10 ERA, 1.29 WHIP and 6.2 K/9 in 5 home GS
McKenzie (0-1, 10.80 ERA) allowed 4 ER on 4 H and 2 BB while fanning 2 in 3 1/3 IP in a loss to Seattle April 1.
- Made only 4 starts in 2023 due to a strained ulnar collateral ligament in his elbow; he went 0-3 with a 5.06 ERA
- Last 5 starts vs. White Sox: 2-1, 2.96 ERA, 1.13 WHIP, 38 K over 27 1/3 IP
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White Sox at Guardians odds
Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 10 a.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): White Sox +180 (bet $100 to win $180) | Guardians -225 (bet $225 to win $100)
- Run line (RL)/Against the spread (ATS): White Sox +1.5 (-120) | Guardians -1.5 (+100)
- Over/Under (O/U): 7.5 (O: -120 | U: +100)
White Sox at Guardians picks and predictions
Prediction
Guardians 5, White Sox 1
Moneyline
The Guardians are tied for 4th in MLB with 5.9 R/Game and allow the fewest at 2.3 R/Game. I look for those trends to continue Monday. If the Sox indeed roll with the lefty, the Guardians are hitting .323 with a .446 slugging percentage and .841 OPS in 65 ABs against left-handed pitchers.
There’s too much juice on the ML, though. PASS and look to the spread.
Run line/Against the spread
All of Cleveland’s 7 wins have been multi-run winners. With a rested bullpen, the GUARDIANS -1.5 (+105) is the best bet on the board Monday.
Over/Under
The weather shouldn’t impact the game much tonight, as it’s projected to be 66 degrees with just a 5-mph breeze blowing out to right-center.
Cleveland is 5-4-1 O/U thus far, and the Sox are 2-7. This one will be close, but for the price, I’ll take the UNDER 7.5 (+100).
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