The Chicago White Sox can put the Cleveland Guardians on the brink of elimination when these two meet once again at Progressive Field in Cleveland, Ohio.
My White Sox vs. Guardians prediction is Chicago will do just that.
For more MLB picks, check out our White Sox vs. Guardians prop picks ahead of the 5 p.m. ET start on TBS.
TOP PICK
White Sox vs Guardians prediction: White Sox moneyline
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This probability is a bargain for a Chicago White Sox team that finished a game behind the Cleveland Guardians in the standings and shut them down in Game 1 of the ALDS. I’ll stick with the Sox as long as they’re a dog, playing to 49%.
On paper, the pitching matchup favors Cleveland right-hander Gavin Williams. The AL strikeout leader and 14-game winner is one of the Guardians’ co-aces, but he’ll be facing the postseason cliché of rust vs. rest.
Cleveland had a first-round bye, meaning he hasn’t pitched since Sept. 25. Williams had a 5.03 ERA when given an extra day — or more — of rest this season, and opponents had an OPS 62 points higher when Williams had 6+ days off instead of five.
Chicago will take advantage of an extra day off in the series on Sunday to go with another opener and bulk reliever, which held the Guardians to three hits in game one. Lefty Anthony Kay will get the ball first, followed by Sean Burke, who had a 1.04 ERA in 17 innings against Cleveland this year.
Our MLB expert picks are all over the White Sox, too.
COVERS INTEL: Williams’ struggles on extra rest aren’t a one-year fluke. For his career, he has a 5.15 ERA and 1.319 WHIP on 6+ days of rest compared to 3.39 and 1.229 on five, 3.22 and 1.182 on four. Opponents hit 20 points higher with more than 50 extra points of WHIP when he’s had more time between starts.
White Sox vs Guardians combo
Both teams should be happy with their pitching plan, but that’s already been taken into account. The Over/Under is extremely low at 6.5. Chicago has had a totals cutoff of 8.0 runs or higher in eight of its last 10 games, going Over seven times.
As good as Burke has been against the Guardians this season, Kay has been even better. The White Sox opener had a 1.35 ERA and sub-1.00 WHIP against Cleveland this year, holding the Guardians to a .171 average and a 44 OPS+. So, while the runs will plate eventually, the first inning will not bear fruit.
White Sox vs Guardians combo
- White Sox moneyline
- Over 6.5
- No runs in the first inning
White Sox vs Guardians home run prediction: Munetaka Murakami
Munetaka Murakami homered in a two-hit performance in Game 1, and he’s taken Williams deep already this season.
He had a 151 OPS+ against Cleveland, and he’s been red hot during the stretch run and postseason. He has a 207 OPS+ and 1.099 OPS with three homers over the last week, and 148 and .891 marks over the last two weeks.
Williams allowed 1.18 home runs per nine innings when pitching on four or five days' rest compared to 2.06 on long rest.
Our MLB home run props are eyeing Murakami to go deep, too.
White Sox vs Guardians player prop: Gavin Williams Over 7.5 strikeouts
He may have a little rust, but if anything, that should add some heat to Williams' fastball.
The righty actually strikes out more batters on long rest, at 12.6 per nine innings. He’s also a much better strikeout pitcher at home, by a full K per nine innings, and he’s been fanning batters at a rate of 14 per nine innings over the last month, and 14.5 per nine since the All-Star break.
He’s hit double-digit strikeouts eight times in his last 14 starts.
- Top picks: 36-42, +0.96 units
- Over/Under: 49-24, +15.27 units
White Sox vs Guardians weather
It will be windy but clear for the late afternoon start in Cleveland. Winds will hit 16 mph the day before first pitch but could still gust, causing added drama. Temperatures will be in the low 60s, falling to the 50s as the game progresses.
White Sox vs Guardians odds
- Moneyline: White Sox 42% | Guardians 59%
- Run line: White Sox +1.5 (62%) | Guardians -1.5 (39%)
- Over/Under: Over 6.5 (53%) | Under 6.5 (48%)
White Sox vs Guardians trend
The White Sox have hit the team total Over in 13 of their last 18 games (+7.90 Units / 36% ROI). Find more MLB betting trends for White Sox vs. Guardians.
How to watch White Sox vs Guardians and game info
| Location | Progressive Field, Cleveland, OH |
| Date | Monday, Oct. 5, 2026 |
| First pitch | 5 p.m. ET |
| TV | TBS |
| White Sox starting pitcher | Anthony Kay (10-9, 4.44 ERA) |
| Guardians starting pitcher | Gavin Williams (14-8, 3.76 ERA) |
White Sox vs Guardians latest injuries
Odds are correct at the time of publishing and are subject to change.
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