Chicago White Sox vs Cleveland Guardians Picks and Predictions August 9th 2025

Chicago White Sox vs Cleveland Guardians August 9th 2025

The Cleveland Guardians will take on the Chicago White Sox at Rate Field in Chicago. The Guardians have a record of 60-55 and are ranked second in the AL Central. They have been strong lately with a four-game winning streak and an 8-2 record in their last ten games.

The White Sox are struggling with a 42-74 record and are ranked fifth in the division. They are on a five-game losing streak and have a 4-6 record in their last ten games. The game will be played on a very hot night with clear skies and a light breeze. Joey Cantillo will start for the Guardians, while Sean Burke will pitch for the White Sox.

Guardians vs White Sox Key Information

• Sport: Baseball
• Teams: Cleveland Guardians vs. Chicago White Sox
• Venue: Rate Field in Chicago, IL
• Date: Saturday, August 9, 2025
• Betting Odds: Guardians Moneyline -138, White Sox Moneyline +116

The Guardians Can Win If…

The Cleveland Guardians recently won against the Chicago White Sox with a score of 9-5. Tanner Bibee pitched for 5 1/3 innings, allowing 5 hits and 4 runs. Carlos Santana and C.J. Kayfus were key players, each getting 2 hits and driving in multiple runs.

The Guardians have a solid pitching lineup, with a team ERA of 3.84, ranking 12th in the league. Their ability to limit opponents’ batting average to .239 is a strength. With 976 strikeouts this season, they rank 14th, showing their capability to control the game from the mound.

Offensively, José Ramírez is a standout player with a .296 batting average and 23 home runs. The team has hit 120 home runs this season, ranking 17th in the league. Their lineup includes several players capable of driving in runs, making them a threat in any game.

The White Sox Can Win If…

The Chicago White Sox are looking to bounce back after a 9-5 loss to the Cleveland Guardians. Despite the loss, the team showed some power with Brooks Baldwin hitting a home run. Corey Julks also had a strong game, going 2 for 3 with two doubles, showing that the offense can produce extra-base hits.

The White Sox have some solid stats that suggest they can win. Their pitching staff has a batting average against of .248, which ranks 13th in the league. This means they can limit the opposing team’s hits and keep the game close.

Sean Burke will start for the White Sox with an ERA of 4.23. He has the potential to keep the Guardians’ bats in check. With the offense showing it can hit for power, the White Sox have a good chance to come out on top in this game.

The Lean

The Guardians are favored with a moneyline of -138 against the White Sox at +116. My model projects the Guardians to win with a score of 5-3. The Guardians have a stronger pitching staff, ranking 12th in ERA, which gives them an edge in this game.

The total for the game is set at 8.5 runs. My model predicts a combined score of 8 runs, suggesting the under is a good pick. Both teams rank low in slugging percentage, with the Guardians at 24th and the White Sox at 25th, indicating a lower-scoring game.

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Guardians Look to Keep Rolling Against White Sox

The Cleveland Guardians have gone from an underwhelming start to surging into the playoff picture, and they will aim to keep their momentum alive when they face the Chicago White Sox on Saturday night in the second game of their three-game series.

Cleveland improved to 60-55 after a 9-5 win on Friday, powered by Carlos Santana’s four RBIs and rookie C.J. Kayfus, who delivered two doubles and three RBIs. The victory marked the Guardians’ fourth straight and their eighth win in the past nine games, pulling them within a half-game of the final American League wild-card spot. For more insight on the top-performing teams, visit the MLB picks page.

Cleveland’s Turnaround Under Stephen Vogt

When the Guardians were sitting at 40-48 on July 6, many considered their playoff hopes slim. Manager Stephen Vogt, however, stayed optimistic, crediting the team’s recent rise to consistent preparation and daily focus.

“We’re playing the baseball we’re capable of over the last month,” Vogt said. “It’s a testament to the work that our guys and coaches put in every single day.”

Left-hander Joey Cantillo (2-2, 4.37 ERA) will start for Cleveland. In his last outing, he allowed four runs but struck out a season-high nine batters in a 5-4 loss to the Minnesota Twins. Vogt praised Cantillo’s improved command and aggressiveness in the strike zone.

Cantillo has a solid track record against Chicago, going 1-0 with a 3.14 ERA in three career appearances (two starts) against them. For a deeper breakdown of matchups like this, check out the MLB previews section.

White Sox Searching for Answers

The White Sox dropped their fifth consecutive game Friday and have now lost 11 of their last 12 meetings with Cleveland. Chicago’s offensive struggles continued as they went just 1-for-14 with runners in scoring position.

Right-hander Sean Burke (4-8, 4.23 ERA) will take the mound for Chicago. In his last start, he gave up three runs over five-plus innings in a no-decision against the Los Angeles Angels, with all the damage coming in the sixth inning. Burke is 0-1 with a 4.09 ERA in three career appearances (two starts) versus the Guardians.

If you’re evaluating potential pitching impacts for betting purposes, the MLB expert betting guide offers detailed analysis to help you identify value.

Key Players and Team Outlook

Brooks Baldwin has been a bright spot for the White Sox, homering in back-to-back games. Still, the club’s current skid has offset their earlier post-All-Star break momentum, when they went 10-4 in their first 14 games.

White Sox general manager Chris Getz remains focused on long-term improvement. “We’re not there yet,” Getz said. “We’ve got a lot of work ahead, but we feel like we’re heading in the right direction.”

Track both teams’ progress and recent results by visiting the Baseball game results page. For those looking to back hot handicappers during the playoff race, the best MLB handicappers leaderboard and buy picks section are valuable tools for making confident wagers.