Cleveland Guardians (81-61) vs. Chicago White Sox (32-111)
The 2024 Major League Baseball season continues on Monday, September 9, with the Cleveland Guardians facing off against the Chicago White Sox in an American League Central matchup at Guaranteed Rate Field in Chicago, Illinois. The first pitch is scheduled for 7:40 PM ET.
This clash marks the beginning of a three-game series, with Cleveland currently positioned as a solid -240 moneyline favorite. The game total is set at 8.5 runs.
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Guardians Seek to Dominate in Chicago
The Guardians, with a record of 81-61, recently competed against the Los Angeles Dodgers, splitting a three-game series. After winning the opener 3-1, they faced a setback in Saturday’s game, losing 7-2.
Despite this loss, Cleveland remains in a strong position, leading the AL Central by three and a half games over the Kansas City Royals and five games ahead of the Minnesota Twins. Following this series against the White Sox, the Guardians will have only three road games remaining this season.
Ben Lively is set to pitch for the Guardians on Monday. The 32-year-old right-hander has an 11-9 record, with a 4.07 ERA and a 1.25 WHIP across 25 starts this season. Recently, he has faced challenges on the mound, posting a 6.37 ERA and 6.01 FIP in his last six outings, totaling 29.2 innings.
In two matchups against the White Sox this season, Lively holds a 1-1 record with a 4.63 ERA and 1.54 WHIP. In their last encounter on July 4, he pitched six innings, allowing three runs on six hits, contributing to a victory for his team.
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White Sox Eager for the Season to Conclude
The Chicago White Sox, struggling with a record of 32-111, faced the Boston Red Sox in an attempt to avoid a sweep in their recent three-game series. Unfortunately, they fell to the Red Sox 3-1 in the opener and lost 7-5 in the second game. This has left them with only one victory in their last 15 games.
The team’s batting statistics are concerning, as they sit at .221/.278/.340 for the season, leading to the worst OPS in Major League Baseball. Over the past week, the White Sox have slightly improved, hitting .264/.307/.365 with five doubles and five home runs across 197 at-bats.
Nick Nastrini is projected to be the starting pitcher for Chicago on Monday. The 24-year-old rookie has struggled this season, with an 0-7 record, a 7.79 ERA, and a 1.95 WHIP in eight starts (32.1 innings). In his last outing against the Baltimore Orioles, he allowed seven runs (four earned) in just 1.2 innings, contributing to a 9-0 loss for the White Sox.
Nastrini will be facing the Guardians for the first time. Despite his struggles, he has shown some promise at home, recording a 3.10 ERA and 1.13 WHIP in four starts.
Smart Betting Insights for Guardians vs. White Sox
The 2024 White Sox are having a historically challenging season. Betting on them in this matchup seems unwise, especially considering Ben Lively’s recent performance. While he hasn’t been at his best, Nick Nastrini’s last outing was particularly poor, and the Guardians possess a far superior offensive lineup.
The Guardians’ bullpen has been impressive, posting a 1.21 ERA and a 2.73 FIP so far in September. In contrast, the White Sox bullpen has struggled, with a 4.82 ERA and a 4.04 FIP this month. Although Cleveland has a balanced record of 5-5 against Chicago this season, they have emerged victorious in three of their last four meetings.
