Saturday MLB Interleague Betting – White Sox vs Cubs Preview & Pick
2011 has been a frustrating, disappointing season for the Chicago White Sox – but it doesn’t have to end that way.
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MLB Gambling Online – Chicago White Sox vs. Chicago Cubs Preview & Pick
Date: Saturday, July 2, 2011
Venue: Wrigley Field, Chicago, IL
Broadcast: FOX
Chicago White Sox at Chicago Cubs Betting Lines from Sportsbook.com
Money Line: Cubs -105
Over/Under: OFF
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Chicago White Sox (40-42 through June 30)
Phil Humber (7-4, 2.89)
Thankfully for them, they play in the mediocre American League Central. They’re two games under .500 through Thursday but just four games behind first-place Detroit.
For the most part, the White Sox have been happy with their starting pitching. Phil Humber, who starts at Wrigley Field Saturday, was supposed to be the afterthought in this rotation. Instead, he’s been the top guy. Nine of his last 10 outings have been quality starts. Humber isn’t overpowering but he keeps the ball in the park reasonably well and his control has been decent, though it’s slipped of late. Humber is also 4-1 with a 3.22 ERA on the road this season, so he shouldn’t be too intimidated versus the Cubbies.
Paul Konerko is having an MVP-caliber season…but will the real Adam Dunn please stand up? The slugger’s nightmare campaign continues. Dunn is batting just .171 with seven homers in 68 games.
Chicago Cubs (34-48 through June 30)
Matt Garza (4-6, 4.07)
The North Side has it even worse than the South Side this season. The Cubbies are a write-off, already 10 games out of first place. Pitching is primarily to blame. The Cubs are dead last in baseball in ERA, WHIP and quality starts. It doesn’t help that Carlos Zambrano left his start last night due to back pain. [dfads params=’groups=10&limit=1&return_javascript=0′]
New Cub Matt Garza hasn’t really been to blame – but he hasn’t been at his best either. Garza scuffled with a 4.76 ERA in June. His strikeout rate is healthy as can be but it suddenly looks like he could be July trade bait after less than one season with the team.
MLB Trends:
Under is 7-2 in CHW last 9 road games.
CHW are 41-15 in their last 56 interleague games.
Under is 10-4 in Humbers last 14 starts overall.
Over is 6-2 in Garzas last 8 starts on grass.
Over is 6-2 in Garzas last 8 starts overall.
Under is 7-2 in the last 9 meetings.
CHW are 10-3 in the last 13 meetings.
MLB pick:
Garza has been tough to beat at home this season, posting a 3.74 ERA and 51 strikeouts in 43.1 innings. But will it help him against the powerful Pale Hose bats? In five career starts against the White Sox, Garza has a 6.17 ERA. Konerko absolutely owns him, going 5 for 8 (.625) with two homers and five RBI.
The White Sox are simply a better team with better pitching and more powerful bats. They should handle Garza and Humber should handle the Cubs’ lineup on Saturday.
White Sox vs Cubs prediction: White Sox 5, Cubs 3
