Only one place in the MLB Championship Series is still up for grabs and the Chicago White Sox will make their second attempt to secure it when they host the Cleveland Guardians in Game 4 of their American League Divisional Series on Thursday night.
The White Sox won the first two games in Cleveland by scores of 3-0 and 4-3 but they missed their first chance to clinch when the Guardians came to life with a 9-3 win at Rate Field on Wednesday.
The teams filled the first two places in the AL Central this season, with the Guardians earning the second seed for the playoffs by topping the standings at 85-77, while the White Sox were right behind them at 84-78.
The top-seeded Tampa Bay Rays are waiting to face the winners in the Championship Series, but the Guardians are favored to make them wait a little longer by forcing a Game 5 on Saturday back at Progressive Field.
Cleveland Guardians vs. Chicago White Sox betting picks and predictions
Guardians money line (-117)
The Guardians have done some of their best work this season with their backs against the wall, in fact it's the story of their season as they came from six games back of the White Sox in mid-August to win the AL Central.
That hard work looked to have been in vain when they suffered back-to-back home losses to open this series, but Wednesday's win has put more pressure on Chicago, who will want to avoid a Game 5.
The White Sox's approach to their pitching rotation failed in Game 3 and they continued to rotate pitchers and Hagen Smith is set to be their opener on Thursday night after throwing 21 pitches in Game 3 and giving up one run.
The Guardians are going back to their star rookie Parker Messick, who picked up the loss in Game 1 at home, but struck out six batters while giving up four hits and two runs in 4.1 innings.
The left-hander got the win when he faced the White Sox in Cleveland three weeks ago, striking out eight and giving up three runs in six innings during a 6-3 victory.
The White Sox just lost for the first time in five playoff games having swept the Astros in the previous round, and the sixth seeds could be taken all the way now the Guardians have a win on the board.
Guardians -0.5 in first five innings (+110)
Messick gives Cleveland its best chance of keeping the series alive and the 25-year-old southpaw can get them off to a solid start.
The Guardians' ace registered a quality start in all four of his regular-season games against the White Sox and can help his side into a lead after five innings, whatever happens after that as two bullpens battle it out.
Brayan Rocchio 2+ bases (+230)
When the Guardians need help in their biggest games, they can generally rely on some hits from shortstop Brayan Rocchio and the Venezuelan was at it again in Game 3 with two hits and an RBI from four appearances at the plate.
Rocctober is in full swing again and the Cleveland hitter is worth backing to have two or more bases in Game 4.
He has already shown a liking for the White Sox pitching, hitting a walk-off homer against them in July and clinching a crucial divisional game last month with a double.
Rocchio played a key role in the Guardians' 11-5 win over the Royals that clinched the AL Central, hitting home runs of 354 feet in the seventh inning and 373 feet in the ninth, and his is worth backing to shine in the clutch moments again.
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Cleveland Guardians vs. Chicago White Sox Odds
Cleveland Guardians | -117 ML |
Chicago White Sox | -103 ML |
Run Line | CLE Guardians -1.5 (+154) |
Total | O/U 7.5 |
Cleveland Guardians vs. Chicago White Sox player props
Player Home Run Odds
Munetaka Murakami (CHI White Sox) | +375 |
Jo Adell (CLE Guardians) | +525 |
Colson Montgomery (CHI White Sox) | +525 |
Randal Grichuk (CHI White Sox) | +550 |
Jose Ramirez (CLE Guardians) | +575 |
Chase DeLauter (CLE Guardians) | +625 |
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This article was written by a partner sports writer via Spotlight Sports Group. All odds displayed on this page were correct at the time of writing and are subject to withdrawal or change at any time.
