The Chicago White Sox look to build on their impressive performance in the second half of the season as they prepare for a key rivalry match against the Chicago Cubs on Friday night. Coming off a thrilling 11-9 victory against Tampa Bay, the White Sox have won five of their last six games. Adrian Houser, boasting a 5-2 record and a remarkable 1.89 ERA, is set to take the mound for the White Sox, while the Cubs will counter with Shota Imanaga, who has a 7-3 record and a 2.40 ERA. Earlier this season, the Cubs swept the first series against the White Sox in May, dominating with a total score of 26-8 across the three games.
The game will commence at 7:40 p.m. ET at Rate Field. In the betting market, the Cubs are seen as favorites, with odds of -182, while the White Sox are the underdogs at +151. The over/under for the total runs scored is set at 8.
Among the notable players to watch in this matchup is White Sox rookie Colson Montgomery, who has made a significant impact since his debut. He has a batting average of .275 and recently impressed with a strong performance against Tampa Bay, which included a home run. The projections suggest his continued success, with recommendations for his over 0.5 total bases bet.
On the other hand, Adrian Houser, despite an impressive season, is coming off his least favorable outing where he allowed four runs against the Pirates. This performance may influence his upcoming game against a potent Cubs lineup that ranks second in the majors in runs scored.
Another player to keep an eye on is Pete Crow-Armstrong from the Cubs, who has been a consistent scorer with 69 runs so far this season. With his speed and capability of reaching base, he is projected to contribute significantly during the game.
As the rivalry intensifies, fans can look forward to an exciting evening of baseball. Both teams are vying for a pivotal win, making this matchup one to watch.