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White Sox vs. Guardians Game 1 Doubleheader Prediction and Odds for Wednesday, April 20 (Buy in on Bieber at Home)

By Ben Heisler

Cleveland Guardians starting pitcher Shane Bieber makes his third start of the baseball season vs the Chicago White Sox this afternoon.
Cleveland Guardians starting pitcher Shane Bieber makes his third start of the baseball season vs the Chicago White Sox this afternoon. / Andy Lyons/GettyImages
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After Dallas Keuchel and Shane Bieber were originally scheduled to pitch on Monday, the two will finally match up Wednesday afternoon in Game 1 of a doubleheader from Progressive Field at 2:10 p.m. ET.

Chicago finds themselves in a familiar spot at the top of the AL Central standing through the first three series of the year. Their offense is yet to really click, but their pitching staff is tops in the American League in strikeouts per nine innings.

Meanwhile, Cleveland, along with the Detroit Tigers, find themselves two games back in the standings, but actually own the second-best run differential in the American League at +11.

Who comes out ahead in Game 1?

Let's break down today's odds from WynnBET Sportsbook.

White Sox vs Guardians Odds, Run Line and Total

Run Line

  • White Sox +1.5 (-180)
  • Guardians -1.5 (+155)

Moneyline:

  • White Sox: +110
  • Guardians: -130

Total:

  • 8 (Over -105/Under -115)

White Sox vs Guardians Prediction and Pick

Bieber faces left-handed veteran Keuchel today as Chicago has dealt with some injuries to their rotation. While Bieber has not resembled the superb ace of the past in his first two starts of the season, I'll still back him as a slight favorite at home.

Last year, he was dominant against a very good White Sox lineup; going 3-0 with a 1.80 ERA in four starts, striking out an average of eight hitters each time. For whatever reason, he has their number, despite some of his struggles from a season ago.

Cleveland needs their ace to start going deeper in games, and the plan from manager Terry Francona is to get him to that point over time. Bieber has thrown less than 80 pitches in his first two starts, but appears to be getting more stretched out with the season underway.

As for Chicago, if they can get another five innings and 3 or less earned runs out of Keuchel again, that's a win in their book. The 34-year old lefty struggled mightily last season with a WHIP of over 1.5, losing his spot in the rotation late in the year.

Cleveland's offense has been elite in the early going, and they also have the better pitcher on the hill. They may not be the better team, but this matchup suits them well and I like them to win as small favorites at home.

LEAN: Guardians moneyline (-130)

Follow all of Ben Heisler's betting plays in real-time HERE

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