The Chicago Cubs and Chicago White Sox are set to square off on Saturday night to renew one of the best rivalries in baseball. The two teams split a pair of games at Wrigley Field earlier in the season, and both teams are right around the .500 mark. The Cubs are one of the favorites to win the National League this season, while the White Sox are still a year or two away from competing.
The Cubs were able to salvage the series finale against the Pittsburgh Pirates on Thursday, but they have been scuffling of late. The Cubs are a half-game out of first place in the NL Central with a record of 46-42. The White Sox have been playing better of late, and have gotten their record up to 41-43. The White Sox sit in third place in the AL Central. The Cubs are -116 in the series opener against their rivals.
Giolito Trying to Solve Cubs
Lucas Giolito has been one of the best pitchers in baseball this season, but he got rocked the last time he faced the Cubs. He went just 4 1/3 innings and gave up seven hits and six earned runs at Wrigley Field in June. The hard-throwing right-hander is 11-2 with a sparkling 2.72 earned run average this season, but he will have his hands full with this lineup yet again.
First baseman Jose Abreu has been the best hitter for the White Sox and leads the team with 20 home runs and 63 runs batted in. Shortstop Tim Anderson is having a career year as well, leading the team with a .317 batting average. The White Sox still have some holes in their lineup, but they have plenty of intriguing prospects ready to break out.
Cubs Can Hit the Long Ball
The Chicago Cubs have really struggled to hit with runners in scoring position this season, but they hit plenty of home runs to make up for it. The Cubs have hit 139 home runs this season and have six different players with at least 14 homers. Javier Baez is leading the team with 22 home runs and 60 runs batted in, but this is a very deep and talented Cubs lineup.
Jon Lester pitched well against the White Sox in June, and the Cubs should feel confident with their ace on the mound in this game. Lester has had a strange season, but he usually gives his team a chance to win when he takes the ball. The veteran lefty is 7-6 with a 3.89 earned run average in his 16 starts this season. Joe Maddon is looking for his ace to deliver a clutch performance in this game.
Cubs Beat Giolito for Second Straight Time
The White Sox are coming, and they are coming fast. The Cubs have been the dominant team in the city of Chicago for the last few seasons, but that might change in the near future. These two teams are bitter rivals, and it’s hard to predict what will happen when they square off. Lester is pitching too well of late to pick against him, and the Cubs offense has been scoring runs of late. Bet the Chicago Cubs -116 over the White Sox on Saturday night.
