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I’ll take the White Sox on the moneyline at home in Game 3, and it’s a lean. Cleveland has three runs in 18 innings this series and has to win today to keep its season going. I’d rather back the team that’s hitting.
The Matchup
- Chicago leads the series 2-0. The White Sox won 3-0 and 4-3 in Cleveland and are 4-0 this postseason after sweeping Houston in the Wild Card round.
- Cleveland can’t score. The Guardians have three runs on seven hits in two games. Their pitching has kept both games close, but there’s no margin for error when the bats are this quiet.
- Not everyone agrees. At least one betting site has noted the line drifting toward Cleveland this week, and a team facing elimination has nothing left to save. That’s worth respecting.
- First pitch is 4:00 PM ET on TBS at Rate Field. Cleveland faces elimination.
The Pitching
Both teams are going to the bullpen early. Cleveland opens with Daniel Espino, who strikes out almost 15 hitters per nine innings in a short role, and Joey Cantillo is expected to take the middle innings. Chicago starts Sean Newcomb, 2-5 with a 3.09 ERA, who threw two scoreless innings with three strikeouts in Game 2 but had a rough September. So this one comes down to bullpens and lineups more than starters.
That’s where I like Chicago. The top of the Sox order is producing. Kyle Teel has scored in each of his last three games, and Miguel Vargas has scored or driven in two runs in both ALDS games.
How I See It
My baseball numbers aren’t built yet. They come online for the Championship Series. So this is a judgment call, and that’s why it’s a lean with no stake. The price says Chicago wins this a little more often than not. I agree, maybe a little more than that, because one lineup is hitting and the other isn’t. The risk is Newcomb’s September and a Cleveland team with its back to the wall. White Sox on the moneyline, lean, confidence one.
Bottom Line
Take the White Sox on the moneyline at +102 at FanDuel. Lean. Chicago leads the series, is at home, and has the lineup that’s hitting. Cleveland has three runs in 18 innings. It’s a judgment call without my numbers behind it yet, so it’s a lean.
Same-Game Parlay
One read in three legs, all posted at the book on the card. If the White Sox win, it’s most likely because the top of the order keeps doing what it did in Cleveland. Every leg needs the same game, so this is one position, not three bets, and it’s a lean like the side.
The angleChicago wins with the top of its order getting on base and scoring against Cleveland’s bullpen.
Build it at Fanatics →Fanatics prices same-game parlays in its own builder, so there is no price here. Build the legs there and check the number before you place it.
Price: check your sportsbook for SGP pricing. Lines as posted Wednesday at 12:45 PM ET; confirm them before you build the ticket. Player props not available in all states.
Best Props for This Game
Three bets beyond the moneyline, from either side. Every one has a trend, a matchup and a fair price behind it. These are separate bets from our pick, so size them small.
He bats third and has cleared this in both ALDS games.
- Trend2 of 3: 1, 2 and 2
- MatchupAfter the opener, Cleveland turns to Joey Cantillo, who gave up hard contact on 44.5% of balls in play after the All-Star break
He hits second, right in front of the middle of the order, and has scored in each of his last three games.
- Trend2 of 3: 4, 1 and 2
- MatchupA bullpen game means a new arm every inning or two, and Teel has been on base ahead of the run producers
He’s hitting .364 over his last three games and has cleared this in two of them.
- Trend2 of 3: 6, 0 and 3
- MatchupCleveland has to cover most of nine innings with relievers after a short opener
Prices checked Wednesday at 12:45 PM ET. Prop prices move fast, so confirm them before you bet. Player props not available in all states.
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