A massive series in Cleveland, Ohio, begins tonight as the Guardians (76-74) host the first-place Chicago White Sox (76-73) in an AL Central showdown with just a half-game separating the two teams in the standings. The White Sox hold a 6-4 advantage in the season series, having won a three-game set in Chicago the last time these rivals met in early August.
The White Sox have been an incredible story this season, going from last place in the AL Central in 2025 with the second-worst record in MLB to now leading the division with just 13 games left to play in the regular season. Chicago does, however, seem to be slumping at a bad time, having lost five of its last six games and posting a 4-10 record since Aug. 30 while averaging 3.14 runs per game.
While the Guardians haven’t necessarily been piling up wins either, Cleveland is 8-6 over its last 14 games and is coming off a series win against Minnesota over the weekend. The Guardians enter Monday in the third and final American League Wild Card spot in a tight race but have their eyes set on leapfrogging Chicago in the AL Central and potentially making the playoffs as a division winner.
The Guardians will hand the ball to right-hander Gavin Williams for tonight’s series opener. Williams brings a 13-7 record, 3.78 ERA, and 228 strikeouts into this crucial matchup. The White Sox will counter by using veteran left-hander Sean Newcomb as an opener in what will be his 55th appearance of the season and only his sixth start. Newcomb hasn’t pitched more than three innings in any of his five previous starts, but he does own a 0.93 ERA as a starter this year and a 2.77 ERA overall.
Find White Sox vs. Guardians predictions, picks, and more below for tonight’s series opener at Progressive Field.
White Sox vs. Guardians Odds Tonight
Hard Rock Bet Sportsbook lists the Guardians as home favorites with first place in the AL Central on the line in tonight’s series opener:
White Sox vs. Guardians Predictions
Head over to Hard Rock Bet Sportsbook to get in on the baseball betting action as the playoff race heats up with just about two weeks remaining in the regular season. Make sure to also check out the Stats Hub for insights and trends to help make wagers on the game, such as our White Sox vs. Guardians prediction below:
Guardians vs. White Sox Best Bet: Gavin Williams Over 8.5 Strikeouts (+115)
The White Sox are in a bit of a funk and haven’t been performing well offensively lately. On a broader scale, the White Sox have struck out the fifth-most times in MLB this season, including the sixth-most times in away games and the third-most times both in September and since the All-Star break.
To make things worse for the White Sox, they’re set to face a starting pitcher who’s tied for the second-most strikeouts in the majors this season. Gavin Williams has already pitched against the White Sox three times this year, recording eight strikeouts against Chicago on June 22, six in only 4.2 innings before his outing ended early due to a lengthy rain delay on July 3, and seven most recently on Aug. 8.
While those strikeout numbers against the White Sox aren’t overly encouraging, as Williams didn’t go over 8.5 in any of those three outings, he was right around that mark each time and again could’ve gone over it on July 3 when he had six through 4.2 innings before the rain delay. However, Williams has recorded double-digit strikeouts in each of his first two starts in September, with 24 between the two outings, and has reached double digits in three of his last four starts.
- Guardians vs. White Sox Player Prop Pick for Tonight: Gavin Williams Over 8.5 Strikeouts (+115)
Top 5 Most-Bet Player Props for CWS-CLE
Steven Kwan’s hits prop is attracting the most action as the Guardians’ outfielder brings a seven-game hitting streak into tonight’s opener, including a 3-for-4 performance with a double and a home run in Sunday’s 9-2 win against Minnesota:
- Steven Kwan – Over 0.5 Hits
- Munetaka Murakami – Over 0.5 Home Runs
- Gavin Williams – Over 7.5 Strikeouts
- José Ramírez – Over 0.5 Hits
- Miguel Vargas – Over 0.5 Hits
White Sox vs. Guardians Game Info
- 📍 Where: Progressive Field, Cleveland, OH
- 📅 Date: Monday, Sept. 14
- ⏰ First Pitch: 6:40 PM ET
- 📺💻 TV/Streaming: ESPN Unlimited, MLB.TV
- ⚾ Probable Pitchers:
- White Sox: Sean Newcomb
- Guardians: Gavin Williams
More Ways to Bet
One swing can cash your ticket, but until then, Florida players can keep things interesting with Real Money Games powered by Past Motor Racing, only on Hard Rock Bet. It’s another way to stay engaged between plate appearances.
Referenced odds are subject to change.
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