Cubs and White Sox Clash This Friday at Wrigley Field

CHICAGO, IL — The Chicago Cubs are set to face the Chicago White Sox on Friday at Wrigley Field, starting at 2:20 p.m. ET. This matchup marks the beginning of a three-game series between the two teams.

The Cubs come into the game with a record of 4-6 in their last ten games. They have been listed as -238 moneyline favorites, while the White Sox are underdogs at +195. The total runs for the game have been set at 11.5.

Cade Horton, a rookie starter for the Cubs, will take the mound. Despite a rocky start to the season with a 6.75 ERA, he faces a White Sox offense that ranks last in several key batting statistics, including OPS at .616 and batting average at .214.

“Cade’s fastball and slider could do well against a struggling lineup,” said an unnamed analyst. “However, this is his first start, which always brings uncertainty.”

On the other side, Shane Smith will start for the White Sox. Smith has proven to be a strong pitcher with a 2.08 ERA and a .205 batting average against, making him difficult to hit.

“Shane has kept hitters at bay this season, giving the White Sox a chance even when their offense is struggling,” said a baseball insider.

Key players to watch include Miguel Vargas for the White Sox, who has been active on the base paths, and Kyle Tucker for the Cubs, who helps fuel their potent offense.

Betting experts suggest that the White Sox might cover the +1.5 spread given Smith’s consistency and the Cubs’ struggles against pitchers with solid command. The total is predicted to go over 11.5 runs, reflecting expectations for a high-scoring game.