The Cleveland Guardians and Chicago White Sox turn to a pair of openers for a winner-take-all Game 3 in the American League Division Series on Wednesday, Oct. 7.
My Guardians vs. White Sox prediction and MLB picks are backing Chicago to punch its ticket to the next round, giving the South Siders their first playoff series victory on home soil since their 1906 World Series triumph.
First pitch is set for 4 p.m. ET on TBS and truTV from Rate Field.
TOP PICK
Guardians vs White Sox prediction: White Sox moneyline
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Playable to 54%.
Scheduled off-days after Games 1 and 2 of the ALDS have enabled the Chicago White Sox to deploy non-traditional pitching plans to take a 2-0 series lead over Cleveland, minimizing their biggest roster weakness: a lack of quality starters.
Sean Newcomb will open Game 3 for the White Sox, making it the fourth time in five postseason games Chicago has used an opener rather than a traditional starter.
Newcomb has a 0.84 ERA and 0.75 WHIP in 10 2/3 innings as an opener in 2026.
Sean Burke recorded 16 outs in a bulk-relief role in Game 2, so Grant Taylor, Bryan Hudson, and Jordan Hicks are all rested and available for this afternoon.
The White Sox will be aggressive with their top relievers today, hoping to advance to the ALCS before allowing the Cleveland Guardians to get back into the series.
Expect Cleveland's bats to struggle once again against Chicago's top relief aces, leading to a White Sox victory.
COVERS INTEL: The White Sox have allowed only seven earned runs in four postseason games this fall, thanks to the second-best K-BB% and WHIP in the playoffs (trailing only the Rays).
Guardians vs White Sox combo
Playable to 24%.
The White Sox and Guardians have combined for only one home run through the first two games of this series, but today's forecast will help these offenses push some runs across the plate.
Cleveland will open with Daniel Espino, and Joey Cantillo — who allowed a 44.5% hard-hit rate after the All-Star break — is likely following. Chicago's offense has excelled against southpaws lately, ranking third in wRC+ and fifth in OPS during the last 30 days.
The White Sox have the better offense and significantly more power potential, making the Chicago moneyline and the Over a correlated combo for Game 3.
Guardians vs White Sox combo
- White Sox moneyline
- Over 7.5
Guardians vs White Sox home run prediction: Munetaka Murakami
Playable to 22%.
Following the All-Star break, Munetaka Murakami had a 20.7% barrel rate against right-handed pitching and a 21.4% barrel rate against southpaws. During the regular season, 35 of Murakami's 94 hits were home runs.
He's a great bet to leave the yard in a pivotal Game 3, regardless of how Cleveland deploys its relief arms behind Espino.
Quinn Allen is also backing Murakami in his Guardians vs. White Sox prop picks for Game 3.
Guardians vs White Sox player prop: Jo Adell Over 1.5 hits + runs + RBI
Playable to 53%.
Jo Adell was Cleveland's most productive hitter against left-handers after the All-Star break, hitting .358 with a 206 wRC+ in 61 plate appearances.
Adell had a triple in the 8th inning of Game 2 in this series, which likely would have been a game-tying home run if not for colder temperatures and strong winds blowing in from center field. Expect him to have competitive at-bats on Wednesday, and for better hitting weather in Chicago to give him a chance to clear this number.
- Top picks: 0-0, +0.00 units
- Combos: 0-0, +0.00 units
Guardians vs White Sox weather
The forecasted temperature at first pitch on Wednesday is 74 degrees, with 10 mph winds blowing out towards center field. Similar weather conditions have historically led to a substantial increase in home runs at Rate Field.
Guardians vs White Sox odds
- Moneyline: Guardians 48% | White Sox 52%
- Run line: Guardians +1.5 | White Sox -1.5
- Over/Under: Over 7.5 | Under 7.5
Guardians vs White Sox trend
The Chicago White Sox have hit the Team Total Over in 14 of their last 19 games [+8.90 Units / 38% ROI]. Find more MLB betting trends for Guardians vs. White Sox.
How to watch Guardians vs White Sox and game info
| Location | Rate Field, Chicago, IL |
| Date | Wednesday, October 7, 2026 |
| First pitch | 4:00 p.m. ET |
| TV | TBS, truTV |
| Guardians starting pitcher | Daniel Espino (0-0, 0.00 ERA) |
| White Sox starting pitcher | Sean Newcomb (0-0, 6.00 ERA) |
Guardians vs White Sox latest injuries
Odds are correct at the time of publishing and are subject to change.
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