White Sox vs. Guardians Game 2 Prediction and Odds for Tuesday, July 12 (Dylan Cease is a Man on a Mission)
By Ben Heisler
It's starting to get ugly for the Chicago White Sox.
The South Siders came into Cleveland with a great opportunity to pull closer to the team in front of them in the AL Central, and have so far lost the first two games of the series; being outscored 12-5.
In Game 1 earlier today, Shane Bieber went the distance; earning his fourth win of the season giving up just three hits and one run while punching out seven Sox hitters and not walking any.
In Game 2, the White Sox turn to their ace this season in Dylan Cease, who in addition to being the stopper, may also have some newfound incentive to use for fuel vs. their division rival.
Here are the latest odds for Game 2 tonight from Progressive Field in Cleveland over at WynnBET Sportsbook.
White Sox vs. Guardians Game 2 Odds, Run Line and Total
Run Line:
- White Sox -1.5 (-105)
- Guardians +1.5 (-115)
Moneyline:
- White Sox -165
- Guardians +152
Total:
- 8 (OVER -120 | UNDER +100)
White Sox vs. Guardians Prediction and Pick
If there's one player that can kick start the White Sox disappointing season heading into the 2022 MLB All-Star Break, it's right-hander Dylan Cease.
The 26-year old right-hander in 17 games has a terrific 2.45 ERA, striking out 34.3% of hitters he's faced. He's fanning over 13 batters per nine innings, and has only allowed three total earned runs since May 24 of this year.
Despite terrific numbers, he was left off this year's American League All-Star roster.
White Sox starter Dylan Cease does not make the AL All-Star team. He has a gripe for sure. Three Yankee pitchers make it including Cole and Cortes
— Jesse Rogers (@JesseRogersESPN) July 10, 2022
Cease has a better WAR, more K's and a lower ERA than BOTH of them.
1st, 2nd and 4th in K's in MLB make it. Cease is 3rd.
Cease's opponent on the mound is left-hander Konnor Pilkington (1-1, 4.08 ERA). His peripherals are all over the place. His Fielder Independent Pitching, or FIP of 3.70 indicates that he has some positive regression coming. However, his expected ERA (xERA) is nearly a full run higher at 4.98. Chicago, despite their inconsistencies has hit left-handers well, and Pilkington has trouble harnessing his command; walking over five hitters per nine innings.
With the White Sox offense floundering, expect Cease to once again shoulder the load of his underachieving club and do his job to keep Chicago in the game. The Guardians' offense can go hot and cold, but Cease is talented enough to cool even the hottest of bats when he's on.
PICK: Guardians F5 UNDER 1.5 (-110)
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