Guardians vs. White Sox (September 20): Will Cease, Chicago strike first in key AL Central series?

The Chicago White Sox have underachieved this season, but they still have a chance to steal the AL Central from the Cleveland Guardians down the final stretch. Their opportunity to push the door wide open is theirs for the taking with the Guardians in town for a trio of games, starting tonight with AL Cy Young candidate Dylan Cease on the mound.

Since wrestling away control of the division from the Minnesota Twins, Cleveland has done well with keeping a firm grip on their destiny and keeping the Twins and White Sox at bay.

Things looked especially bleak for Chicago when they lost five in a row last month, including a three-game sweep at home against the Arizona Diamondbacks.

But they are 13-5 over their last 18 games, keeping their postseason hopes alive deep into September despite the injuries, inconsistency, and underachievement that derailed their season.

Unfortunately for Chicago, Cleveland has been outstanding since snapping a six-game losing streak earlier this month, winning 12 of their last 15 games to remain firmly in the driver’s seat for their first AL Central title since 2018.

That could very well change this week, however. First, the South Siders need to ride their ace to a big win tonight to open the series.

Cleveland Guardians vs. Chicago White Sox Matchup Information and Betting Odds

Matchup Information

• Matchup: Cleveland Guardians vs. Chicago White Sox
• Venue & Location: Guaranteed Rate Field (Chicago, Illinois)
• Date: Tuesday, September 20, 2022
• Game Time: 8:10 p.m. Eastern Time (7:10 p.m. local time)
• How to Watch Guardians vs. White Sox: MLB Network

Guardians vs. White Sox Pitching Matchup

• Cleveland: Aaron Civale (2022: 16 starts, 2-6, 5.40 ERA)
• Chicago: Dylan Cease (2022: 29 starts, 14-7, 2.16 ERA)

Guardians vs. White Sox Odds

Game odds are via BetOnline. Odds from our other recommended sports betting sites may also appear in this article.

Moneyline

• Cleveland Guardians +136
• Chicago White Sox -162

Over/Under

• Over 7.5 (-102)
• Under 7.5 (-120)

Run Line

• Cleveland Guardians +1.5 (-156)
• Chicago White Sox -1.5 (+130)

Cleveland Guardians vs. Chicago White Sox Prediction and Betting Picks

Guardians vs. White Sox Prediction: Chicago to win

Guardians vs. White Sox Picks: Chicago -1.5 (Best Value: +130 at BetOnline & Bovada Sportsbook) & Dylan Cease over 5.5 strikeouts (Best Value: -128 at BetOnline)

After he lost his most recent start against the Colorado Rockies–at home, at that–last Wednesday and Justin Verlander returned last Friday with five no-hit innings and nine Ks against the Oakland A’s, Cease’s AL Cy Young hopes are on their last legs.

But that takes a back seat to Chicago’s quest to close the gap in the AL Central.

It is of the highest importance that Cease has a much better start than he did against the Rockies (5 IP, 6 H, 3 R, 2 BB, 8 K, 107 pitches), but it is also a must that the White Sox take advantage of a pitcher who is having the worst season of his career.

Tonight’s game will be Civale’s first MLB start since August 28 due to a forearm issue. He has had a number of good starts this season, but he has been limited to only 16 starts and has not made more than four starts in any month.

If trends hold, Cease should be back at his best tonight.

Last Wednesday was the seventh time this season that Cease allowed three or more runs. In the starts following the first six instances, he has a 1.95 ERA and allowed two or fewer runs five times. Additioanlly, he has recorded eight or more Ks four of the six starts.

The loss to Colorado was an uncharacteristic performance for Cease, and we shouldn’t see a repeat of that tonight against Cleveland based on his body of work.

Cleveland has been on fire lately but look for Cease to put a stop to that tonight.

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