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The White Sox and Cubs are set to play a pair of games at Wrigley Field, beginning Tuesday night. Game one features the pitching matchup of Michael Kopech vs. Drew Smyly.
Here are five bets to make for Game one of Cubs vs. White Sox.
José Abreu hits, extra base hits
José Abreu has had the most success against Cubs’ left-handed starter Drew Smyly. The White Sox first baseman is 6-for-11, with a home run and two doubles facing Smyly throughout his career.
So far in 2022, Abreu has only slashed .224/.322/.342, with two home runs and three doubles. However, the right-handed slugger currently ranks fifth in MLB with an average exit velocity of 94.4mph. Abreu’s hitting the ball hard and enters Tuesday’s game recording a hit in five straight games and eight of his last nine.
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While Smyly has limited damage during his first four starts with the Cubs, posting a 2.79 ERA in 19.1 innings, the left-hander has been hit hard by right-handed hitters. Righties are slugging .500 against Smyly so far this year, bashing four home runs and three doubles against him.
Add in the fact that Abreu loves hitting at Wrigley Field, slashing .311//.366/.635, with seven home runs and three doubles in 19 games and this makes a great matchup for Abreu to not only continue his hitting streak, but collect some extra bases too.
Abreu to record a hit: -170
Abreu to record 2+ total bases: +155
Abreu to hit a HR: +560
*odds from FanDuel*
Pitcher Strikeouts
White Sox starter Michael Kopech has 18 strikeouts in 19 innings through four starts this season and although he has only recorded more than five strikeouts once this year today is a good matchup for him to get above that mark for a second time.
The Cubs’ offense had a strikeout rate in the 20% range during the first 10 games of the season, which was near the top of MLB. However, the last two weeks that number has steadily increased, as the team has struck out six or more times in 11 of their last 12 games, including double-digit strikeouts in five of their last seven games.
On the other hand, Drew Smyly’s season-high in strikeouts is four, which he’s reached in three consecutive starts. The White Sox as a team currently have the third-best strikeout percentage in MLB at 20.3%. They swing at a lot of pitches early in the count and Smyly wants that, as he’s trying to get as many ground ball outs as possible.
Kopech strikeouts over 5.5:-130
Smyly strikeouts under 4.5: -140
*odds from FanDuel*
