The Chicago White Sox (85-66) and Cleveland Indians (74-76) will play a doubleheader Thursday to open a five-game series that runs through the weekend. First pitch for Game 1 is set for 1:10 p.m. ET at Progressive Field. Let’s analyze the lines around the White Sox vs. Indians odds with MLB picks and predictions.
White Sox RHP Reynaldo Lopez (3-3, 3.00 ERA) makes his 18th appearance (8th start). He has a 0.94 WHIP, 2.3 BB/9 and 8.8 K/9 through 48 IP.
- Has been pretty solid this season, though not quite as good as the ERA would suggest, as he has been helped by a .229 BABIP.
- He is coming off his worst outing of the year where he served up 7 ER over 4 IP against the Angels. He has registered a 4.50 ERA and 8.0 K/9 through 28 IP across his seven starts.
Indians RHP Aaron Civale (11-4, 3.40 ERA) makes his 19th start. He has a 1.09 WHIP, 2.2 BB/9 and 7.2 K/9 through 111 1/3 IP.
- Missed more than two months due to a sprained finger, and has made three starts since his return from the injured list. He’s had mixed results over that span that total 6 ER allowed over 13 2/3 IP with a 13/4 K/BB.
- Has put up a 3.81 ERA and 7.3 K/9 across 54 1/3 IP through his nine home starts.
White Sox at Indians Game 1 odds, lines, picks and prediction
MLB odds provided by Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports for a full list. Odds last updated at 10:27 a.m. ET.
- Money line: White Sox -135 (bet $135 to win $100) | Indians +110 (bet $100 to win $102)
- Against the spread/ATS: White Sox -1.5 (+133) | Indians +1.5 (-165)
- Over/Under: 6.5 (O: -135 | U: +110)
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Prediction
White Sox 5, Indians 3
Money line (ML)
Civale has been decent since his return, but his fastball velocity is down almost a full tick and he has a weak 7.3% swinging-strike rate. He has managed to deliver two pretty good starts and one bad one during that stretch, and he’ll face a tough test against a Chicago team that ranks seventh in runs scored and sixth in wRC+ against right-handed pitching league-wide.
Back the WHITE SOX (-135).
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Run line/Against the spread (ATS)
This looks like a pretty even matchup that could very well stay close throughout. There doesn’t appear to be much value on either side of this line, so the wise move is to simply PASS on the run line.
Over/Under (O/U)
Civale isn’t quite back to being his usual self yet, as the velocity and whiffs are down since he has come back from a lengthy IL stint. On the other side, not surprisingly, Lopez hasn’t been quite as good in a starting role as he is in relief.
As part of a doubleheader, keep in mind that this will be a seven-inning game. Neither pitcher is looking too dominant right now, so look for the offenses to muster enough runs to push the total OVER 6.5 (-135).
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