After two days of weather postponements and an early-afternoon tilt in Game 1 of today's doubleheader, the Cleveland Guardians and Chicago White Sox will be back at Progressive Field for Game 2 Wednesday evening.
We already covered the first of these this doubleheader in our Game 1 picks and predictions, but keep reading for our White Sox vs. Guardians MLB picks and predictions for Game 2.
White Sox vs Guardians odds
This odds widget represents the best odds available for each betting market from regulated sportsbooks.
The White Sox were +107 when this line first became available, and it hasn’t moved much. The total, which opened at 8, is up to 8.5 at some sportsbooks, but you can still find it at 8 in a couple of spots.
Use the live odds widget above to track any future line movements right up until kickoff and be sure to check out the full MLB odds before placing your bets.
White Sox vs Guardians predictions
Picks made on 4/20/2022 at 10:00 a.m. ET.
Click on each pick to jump to the full analysis.
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White Sox vs Guardians game info
• Location: Progressive Field, Cleveland, OH
• Date: Wednesday, April 20, 2022
• First pitch: 6:10 p.m. ET
• TV: Bally Sports Great Lakes, NBCS-Chicago
White Sox vs Guardians betting preview
Starting pitchers
Jimmy Lambert (0-1, 6.00 ERA): Lambert threw just 49 pitches in his first outing of the year, giving up two earned runs in three innings in a loss to the Seattle Mariners. It’ll be interesting to see the type of leash he has in this one, as the White Sox can use at least four or five innings out of him. Their bullpen has already looked a little shaky this year, so Chicago won’t want to have to use too many relievers.
Triston McKenzie (0-1, 2.57 ERA): McKenzie struck out six batters in four scoreless innings in his first start of the year, which helped him lower his ERA from 6.00 to 2.57. That rock-solid performance did, however, come against the Cincinnati Reds, and it’ll be interesting to see how he handles a White Sox offense that was extremely explosive in 2021.
Weather
Be sure to monitor the gametime conditions with our MLB weather info.
Key injuries
White Sox: A.J. Pollock OF (Out), Lucas Giolito P (Out), Lance Lynn P (Out), Ryan Burr P (Out), Yermin Mercedes DH (Out), Yoan Moncada 3B (Out), Joe Kelly P (Out), Garrett Crochet P (Out).
Guardians: Yu Chang 3B (Out), Luke Maile C (Out).
Find our latest MLB injury reports.
Betting trend to know
Prior to Game 1 of this doubleheader, the Over was 5-2 in Cleveland's last seven games. Find more MLB betting trends for White Sox vs. Guardians.
White Sox vs Guardians picks and predictions
Our side and total predictions are based upon our analysis of the line and total in this game. Our best bet is our favorite pick across all markets.
Moneyline analysis
Based on the numbers before Game 1 of this doubleheader, there was a bit more to like about the Guardians’ statistical profile than that of the White Sox.
Cleveland is currently first in the league in slugging percentage, third in on-base percentage and first in on-base plus slugging. The Guardians are also 12th in the league in runs scored and they’re only 11 runs out of the top spot in the league.
That’s especially significant when you consider that this team has played at least two fewer games than nine of the teams that make up the Top 10 in scoring thus far.
Also, with McKenzie having looked rather impressive in his last trip to the mound, the Guardians should have an edge on the hill in this one. That includes the bullpen, where Cleveland should quickly improve on its 4.03 bullpen ERA. The Guardians have some legitimate arms in their ‘pen this year, and that figures to turn into a strength for this club.
All in all, it’s just best not to overthink what is a sloppy game to handicap. It can sometimes be best to avoid the second game of a doubleheader, but the Guardians have the better lineup and the better guy on the mound in this one.
Considering their price here, you can do a lot worse than backing them as slight home favorites.
Prediction: Guardians moneyline (-118 at WynnBet)
Over/Under analysis
It can be a little difficult to back anything in the second game of a doubleheader, as you just never know who will be in the lineup when the teams come back out for that next game.
We do, however, know that this matchup features two mediocre pitching options, so you can probably count on quite a few runs — especially considering these are two offenses that happen to possess some real firepower throughout their lineups.
Lambert might be 27 years old, but the righty doesn’t have a whole lot of experience pitching in the big leagues.
He’s made just seven appearances in his MLB career and now has to go on the road and try to shut down a Guardians offense that has already posted three games of 10+ runs. This Cleveland team has some real bats, and it could put up another big number in this game.
Also, while McKenzie is a talented pitcher, the righty did give up a ridiculous 22 earned runs over 17.2 innings of work against the White Sox last year.
This Chicago lineup was trouble for him, and the team should be able to get to him tonight. That would give Over bettors a great chance to cash in, especially considering the state of these two gettable bullpens.
Prediction: Over 8 (-110 at BetRivers)
Best bet
With two relative unknowns on the mound, it’s hard to confidently say which of these teams will end up winning this game. The Over is, however, a play worth banking on.
After having to face Shane Bieber in the opener of this doubleheader, the White Sox should be ecstatic to see anybody else on the hill for the evening game.
Also, the fact that they’ll be facing a righty is an added bonus. Chicago was tied for fourth in the league in runs scored against right-handed pitching last year, and the White Sox were fifth in the league in batting average against righties too. They should like what they see against McKenzie a little more than what they’ll have to face in Game 1.
The Guardians also happen to have a lineup full of lefty bats, which means the team should be prepared to pounce on Lambert.
Keep an eye on the always dangerous Jose Ramirez in this contest. Before the first game of this doubleheader, Ramirez was already 12 for 28 with four doubles, two homers, and 11 RBIs against righties this season.
He’s definitely capable of helping Over bettors cash in this one, and so is rookie Steven Kwan. It’s extremely early in the year, but the outfielder is already 9 for 20 with two doubles and a triple against righties this season. He’ll be somebody that Over bettors will likely love after this game.
Overall, there’s just a good amount of offensive talent on the field for both of these teams, and this pitching matchup is far from inspiring.
You’re best off just taking the Over and hoping for runs. It’s entirely possible you’ll hit this one early and have a stress-free rest of the game.
Pick: Over 8 (-110 at BetRivers)
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