<p>
The White Sox are playing some good ball as of late, while the Cubs are struggling, heading into the opener a two-game Windy City series Saturday evening down on the South Side. Who do we like here for our free MLB pick?
</p>
<h2>
MLB Betting Odds<br />
</h2>
<p>
Saturday's MLB betting odds opened the White Sox at around -110 over the Cubs, with an over/under of nine runs. Early betting action then flipped the Cubbies into -110 favorites.
</p>
<div class="panel">
<strong>Bet your MLB Game Predictions </strong> at an online sportsbook where your credit card WILL work for deposits and where you'll receive a generous 50% bonus up to $250 FREE: <a class="advblue" href="javascript:GoTo(Bovada)" title="Bovada Sports Book">Bovada Sports Book</a>.
</div>
<h2>
Cubs vs. White Sox Set-Up<br />
</h2>
<p>
The Cubs just dropped three of four games at Pittsburgh earlier this week, avoiding the sweep and snapping a four-game losing streak with an 11-3 victory Thursday. They then had Friday off.
</p>
<p>
Just before that, the Cubs lost two of three at Cincinnati, and just before that they split four games with Atlanta. Going back a bit further the Cubs are 0-4-3 over their last seven series and 9-15 over their previous 24 games.
</p>
<p>
At 46-42 overall the Cubbies trail division-leading Milwaukee by a half-game in the NL Central, but they're also tied with Philadelphia for the lead in the National League wild-card race.
</p>
<p>
The White Sox, meanwhile, just took two of three games at home from Detroit, missing out on the sweep by losing Thursday 11-5. The Sox then also had Friday off.
</p>
<p>
Just before that the ChiSox took two of three from Minnesota. So the Sox are 5-2 over their last seven games.
</p>
<p>
At 41-43 overall the White Sox trail the first-place Twins by 12.5 games in the AL Central, but they're only six games behind Cleveland in the battle for the second American League wild-card spot.
</p>
<p>
This series is the second meeting between these teams this season. Two and a half weeks ago these teams split two games at Wrigley Field.
</p>
<h2>
Saturday's Starting Arms<br />
</h2>
<p>
This pitching match-up is a rematch of a game played back on June 19, a 7-3 Cubs win at Wrigley.
</p>
<p>
Giolito, by our stringent standards, is 8/16 on quality starts this season but 0 for his last three. Last Sunday he held Minnesota scoreless on one hit through five innings of a 4-3 Sox victory. But over his two starts previous to that he gave up nine runs and 13 hits, including four homers, through 10 innings.
</p>
<p>
The White Sox are 12-4 with Giolito this season, but only 1-2 over his last three starts.
</p>
<p>
Over three career starts against the Cubs, two last year and the one 17 days ago, Giolito allowed 14 runs and 16 hits through 16 2/3 innings. The ChiSox only won one of those three games.
</p>
<p>
Lefty Lester is 7/16 on quality starts this year but only one for his last five. Last Sunday he gave up four runs – three earned - and five hits through 5 2/3 innings of an 8-6 Cubs loss to the Reds. And over his last five starts, he's allowed 16 ER and 31 hits, including eight ding-dongs, through 28 1/3 innings.
</p>
<p>
The Cubs are 9-7 with Lester this season, 2-2 over his last four starts.
</p>
<p>
Over his last three starts against the White Sox, two last year and the one 17 days ago, Lester allowed six ER and 19 hits through 16 1/3 innings. The Cubs won all three of those games.
</p>
<h2>
Saturday's Batting Splits<br />
</h2>
<p>
The Cubs are batting .258/.338/.458 against right-handed pitching this season.
</p>
<p>
The White Sox are batting .272/.331/.426 against left-handed pitching this season.
</p>
<h2>
The Bullpens<br />
</h2>
<p>
The Cubs bullpen owns a 4.26 ERA this season and a 1.40 WHIP while allowing a .743 OPS.
</p>
<p>
The White Sox pen owns a 4.56 ERA and a 1.40 WHIP while allowing a .748 OPS.
</p>
<h2>
Totals Report<br />
</h2>
<ul>
<li>
Overs are 45-41 in Cubs games this season.
</li>
<li>
Overs are 42-40 in White Sox games this season.
</li>
<li>
Overs are 23-18 in games played at the place they now call Guaranteed Rate Field this season.
</li>
<li>
Overs are 11-4 with Lester this season.
</li>
<li>
Unders are 9-7 with Giolito this season.
</li>
</ul>
<p><section></p>
<ul>
<li>
<span style="font-size:16px;"><b><span style="color:#008000;">Get more details:</span></b> <a class="advblue" href="https://www.sportsbettingstats.com/mlb/matchup/1079898">Cubs at White Sox MLB Match-up Stats</a> </span>
</li>
</ul>
<p></section></p>