Chicago White Sox vs Miami Marlins Picks and Predictions May 9th 2025

South Side Faith Reignited by Sox-Loving Pope

After a rough stretch on the field, the Chicago White Sox finally found something to cheer about off it: newly appointed Pope Leo XIV was revealed to be a lifelong White Sox fan.

A photo of the new pope surfaced Thursday, showing him proudly wearing a Sox jersey at the 2005 World Series. With the papacy on their side, the White Sox will look to channel that divine energy when they begin a three-game series against the struggling Miami Marlins on Friday night at Guaranteed Rate Field.

While Chicago is riding a four-game losing streak, fans and players alike are hoping for a spark—divine or otherwise.

White Sox Return Home After Royals Rout

It’s safe to say the South Siders are glad to be back at home. Chicago was outscored 19-4 and shut out in back-to-back games to finish a four-game sweep at the hands of the Kansas City Royals, culminating in a 10-0 loss on Thursday.

Manager Will Venable didn’t sugarcoat it: “Not good. We just couldn’t get anything going offensively.”

The numbers back him up:

• Just six hits in Thursday’s finale
• No extra-base hits in two straight games
• Scored two or fewer runs in three of their last four

Betting against the Sox’s bats lately has been profitable. Track run line trends at the MLB Odds and Scores page.

Marlins Also Searching for Answers

The Miami Marlins haven’t fared much better. After a 10-1 blowout loss to the Los Angeles Dodgers on Wednesday, the Marlins have now dropped nine of their last 11 games.

Still, there have been bright spots. Most notably, rookie catcher Agustin Ramirez has made a name for himself early. Ramirez is batting .283 with four home runs in 14 games and showed off his arm by throwing out Shohei Ohtani at second base earlier this week.

Manager Clayton McCullough praised the 23-year-old’s quick development behind the plate: “He’s working hard on his throwing, and that was a really strong, accurate throw to get Shohei.”

The Marlins are currently carrying three catchers—Ramirez, Nick Fortes, and Liam Hicks—and McCullough has indicated that a rotation of starts is likely.

Pitching Matchup: Max Meyer vs. Bryse Wilson

Miami Marlins: Max Meyer (2-3, 3.92 ERA)
Chicago White Sox: Bryse Wilson (0-1, 5.56 ERA)

Max Meyer will make his first career appearance against the White Sox after a pair of shaky outings. The 26-year-old has allowed 10 earned runs over nine innings in his last two starts, a dip following his 14-strikeout shutout performance vs. Cincinnati on April 21.

On the road, Meyer is 1-2 with a 4.41 ERA in three starts, and his command has wavered late in games. If Chicago can push up his pitch count early, they might have a chance to exploit Miami’s bullpen.

Bryse Wilson will make just his third start of the season for the White Sox. The 27-year-old has primarily served as a long reliever but is trying to stretch out into a rotation role. He allowed four runs over 4 2/3 innings vs. Houston last weekend.

Wilson has had success vs. Miami in the past, going 2-0 with a 2.04 ERA in five appearances, including two starts.

Dive deeper into pitcher splits and betting angles on the MLB Expert Betting Guide.

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What to Watch

Offensive Spark
With both teams struggling at the plate, the opener may come down to who can execute with runners in scoring position. Miami is hitting just .221 as a team, while Chicago has dipped below the Mendoza line over their last five games.

Agustin Ramirez’s Momentum
If Ramirez starts, his recent hot streak at the plate and behind it could be a key difference-maker—especially against a White Sox team that doesn’t steal bases often but struggles with pitch framing and passed balls.

Bullpen Depth
Both clubs have taxed their bullpens heavily in recent losses. Expect relievers to play a major role if either starter falters before the sixth inning.

Betting Trends

• White Sox are 1-9 in their last 10 home games
• Marlins are 2-9 in their last 11 overall
• Under is 5-1 in Marlins’ last 6 road games
• White Sox have scored 2 or fewer runs in 6 of their last 8
• Agustin Ramirez has hit safely in 10 of his last 12 starts

Get betting line movement and public consensus data on the MLB Picks page.

FAQs

Who is starting for the Marlins and White Sox on Friday?
Max Meyer (MIA) vs. Bryse Wilson (CHW).

Why is the new pope relevant to this game?
Pope Leo XIV was revealed as a lifelong White Sox fan, providing some lighthearted hope for fans amid the team’s struggles.

How has Max Meyer looked recently?
After a 14-strikeout gem in April, he’s allowed 10 earned runs in his last two starts.

Is Agustin Ramirez starting regularly?
Yes, Ramirez is part of a three-catcher rotation but is earning more starts with his bat and arm.

Can Bryse Wilson handle a full starting role?
He’s transitioning from a long-relief role but has had past success against Miami.

Where can I get daily MLB betting advice?
Visit the Free Service Plays and Baseball Packages pages for insights.