Heading into the week of Major League Baseball action, we’ve looked at all of the series that will be played this week. Our MLB Betting eye caught a particular series that we like.
It’s only a two-game series between two struggling teams, but we think it’s about time for one of the two teams to break out of their slump.
Top MLB Betting Series of the Week – Chicago White Sox at Chicago
Cross Town Rivalry
On Tuesday and Wednesday, we’ll see cross-town rivals clash as the Southsiders; the Chicago White Sox will head north to the friendly confines of Wrigley Field to take on the Chicago Cubs in a quick two-game affair.
We’ve been waiting for the Sox to wake up and break out of their slump, and if they play well against the Cubs, this could be just what the Sox need.
The Chicago White Sox were expected to be one of the best teams in the American League this season. Things haven’t exactly started off well for the ChiSox this season.
Coming into Sunday’s action, the Sox have lost eight of their last 10, and are currently sitting in 3rd place in the American League Central, 3.5 games behind the division-leading Minnesota Twins.
Between injuries, lackluster starting pitching, and not getting timely hits, the White Sox haven’t been able to put things together.
As for the Cubs, they got off to a great start, but they’ve fallen quickly. Like the Sox, the Cubs have lost eight of their last ten coming into Sunday’s game.
The Cubs aren’t in full rebuild mode, but they’ve done a lot of retooling, and they’re trying to build a team for the future.
Kopech Gets the Nod
On Tuesday, the White Sox will send Michael Kopech to the mound. After coming off of Tommy John surgery two seasons ago, Kopech pitched out of the bullpen last season. The Sox are still working to get him stretched out to become a full-time starter.
The flamethrower has great stuff, but control has been an issue. In his last start, he walked four batters in his five innings of work against the Kansas City Royals. If Kopech is on, he’s hard to hit.
The Sox will probably need a lot from their bullpen on Tuesday, so keep an eye to see how much the bullpen works in their Monday game.
The Cubs will counter with Mark Leiter, Jr. The 31-year-old journeyman has started and pitched out of the bullpen for the Cubs this season. This should be a favorable matchup for the Sox.
Game Two in Chicago
In Wednesday’s game, the White Sox will send their all-star, Lucas Giolito, to the mound. Giolito has pitched well this season but hasn’t gotten much run support.
He’s had good stuff, as he’s struck out 22 in his 14 innings pitched. Giolito took the loss in his last outing, he threw well, striking out seven in his six innings, but he failed to get any run support.
He’ll be opposed by Drew Smyly. Smyly has given up six earned runs in his last two appearances.
Even though he started out the season well, Smyly has struggled as of late. With the Sox bats starting to wake up, this could be a bad sign for the Cubs.