Guardians vs White Sox Predictions, Picks, Odds: Can Cleveland Stabilize in Series Finale?

The Cleveland Guardians and Chicago White Sox wrap up a 3-game series at Guaranteed Rate Field on the south side of Chicago Thursday afternoon. 

The Guardians are looking to avoid the broom, as Cleveland has been outscored 15-5 in the first two games of this series to fall four games under .500.

The White Sox won 7-2 on Wednesday night, following up an 8-3 win in the series opener. It’s the first time Chicago has had consecutive wins since three straight wins in early April. 

Can the Guardians salvage anything at this rate, or are the White Sox guaranteed a third straight win and a series sweep? I break it down in my MLB betting picks for Guardians vs. White Sox below.

Guardians vs White Sox odds

Guardians vs White Sox predictions

The Cleveland Guardians entered this set with a 10-9 record on the road, but they've slipped under .500 in that category, too. In fact, Cleveland has fallen into third place by a half-game behind the Tigers.

Cleveland is second in the AL Central with a -33 run differential, but that’s not saying much. That mark is good for just No. 11 in the American League.

The Guardians have had a rather toothless offense, too, as they’re second-to-last in the majors with 147 runs scored, just four runs ahead of the aforementioned Tigers. Even the lowly Oakland A’s have scored 173 runs, well ahead of Cleveland.

The Chicago White Sox have won two in a row to move to 9-12 at home, but Chicago still has work to do. The Pale Hose have a dismal -61 run differential, just one ahead of the Royals for No. 13 in the AL.

Cleveland turns to southpaw Logan Allen to snap the losing skid and help the Guardians salvage something. He'll make his fifth start of the season and has a solid 3.43 ERA with 24 strikeouts across 21 innings to date.

Chicago rolls with right-hander Dylan Cease, who's making start No. 10. He has a so-so 4.86 ERA with a 1.45 WHIP across 46 1/3 innings pitched, although he does have 54 punchouts.

Cease allowed just four hits with two walks and five strikeouts across six innings in a no-decision against the defending champion Astros last time out, lowering his home ERA to 4.50 ERA in five outings.

With that said, Chicago hasn’t been able to stack wins, going 3-13 in the past 16 games after a victory. I expect Cleveland to get back in the win column this afternoon.

My best bet: Guardians moneyline (+130 at WynnBET)

Guardians vs White Sox moneyline analysis

The Guardians have dropped four in a row on the road, and they’re just 1-4 in the past five games inside the AL Central.

If the trends hold up, perhaps Cleveland will pull out of its nosedive on getaway day. Cleveland has won 23 of its last 32 games in Game 3 of a series. It's also 4-0 in the past four games after dropping the first two games of a series, too.

On the flip side, the White Sox have struggled to handle the twig against southpaws, going 0-4 in the past four games against a left-handed starting pitcher, while posting just one victory in the past six tries vs. lefties.

Guardians vs White Sox Over/Under analysis

Cleveland’s pitching had been the secret of its success early on, but lately, it’s been a slow burn to mediocrity. The Guardians have allowed five or more runs in five of the past six games, including 7.5 runs per game in the first two of this series.

The Over has cashed in three of the past four games after an amazing 18-2-2 Under run from April 18 to May 12.

The White Sox had scored five or fewer runs in seven straight games entering this series, averaging 2.8 runs per contest, but they've piled up 15 runs in the first two contests of this set.

The Over results are par for the course when these two teams get together, as the Over is 5-1 in the past six meetings, including 7-1-1 in the past nine battles on the south side of Chicago.

Cease is very giving, and Allen has managed a 4.50 ERA in his first two outings of May. The only thing which may help the pitchers is an 8-11 mph wind blowing in from center field.

Even so, we should see at least eight runs, as both of these pitchers are struggling with control, and they’re each very hittable. Look for the offenses to do well early on.

Guardians vs White Sox game info

Starting pitchers

Logan Allen (1-1, 3.43 ERA): The southpaw hasn’t posted a quality start in his past three outings since April 23 against the Marlins. He has allowed five runs and 15 hits in just 10 innings in two May outings, and he lost his only start on the road so far this season.

Dylan Cease (2-2, 4.86 ERA): While the righty was sharp last time out against the Astros, he had allowed 20 earned runs in just 18 innings in his previous four starts, while serving up four homers. Walks have not been his friend, either, issuing at least two walks in six of his past eight outings. It’s a small sample size, but Steven Kwan is a .500 career hitter (5-for-10) against Cease.

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The Over is 5-1 in the last six meetings. Find more MLB betting trends for Guardians vs White Sox

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