The Chicago White Sox have been struggling a bit to begin the season and are third in the AL Central with a 3-5 record. They are sending right-hander Mike Clevinger to the mound. Clevinger is coming off a win against the Houston Astros, where he gave up no runs on three hits with a pair of hit by pitches, three walks, and eight strikeouts in five innings of work.
The Pittsburgh Pirates have been surprising a lot of people throughout the opening portion of the season as they are second in the NL Central with a 5-2 record. They will have righty Vince Velasquez on the bump here. Velasquez is coming off a losing effort against the Cincinnati Reds, pitching 4.2 innings and allowing three runs on five hits with a walk and three strikeouts.
Chicago White Sox vs. Pittsburgh Pirates: Betting Odds
| Team | Spread | Total | ML |
| Chicago White Sox | -1.5 (+135) | Over 8.5 (-105) | -120 |
| Pittsburgh Pirates | +1.5 (-155) | Under 8.5 (-105) | +100 |
Odds Courtesy of DraftKings Sportsbook
Key Stats
Chicago White Sox
The Chicago White Sox have been doing very well at the plate and are eighth in MLB with a .805 team OPS while scoring 5.13 runs per game. Center fielder Luis Robert has been dominating at the plate as he has a 1.111 OPS with four homers, eight RBI, and seven runs scored. If the lineup can continue producing as well as they have been, they can prove 2022 was a fluke of a year.
Mike Clevinger will want to continue his dominance after a great first start for the White Sox. He has never faced the Pirates in his big league career but has had moderate success against the NL Central, as in eight games, Clevinger is 3-2 with a 3.60 ERA thus far. If he can continue to do well in the beginning stages of the year, he will be in a great spot to get to 2-0.
Pittsburgh Pirates
The Pittsburgh Pirates have been an above-average offensive team throughout the year. They are 12th in baseball with a .770 team OPS, averaging 5.14 runs per game. Second baseman Jo Hwan Bae has been doing well and has a .855 OPS with a home run, three RBI, five runs scored and two stolen bases without being caught.
Vince Velasquez will be on the mound here tonight, and it will be an interesting matchup for the veteran. He actually pitched for the White Sox in 2022 and finished going 3-3 with a 4.78 ERA in 27 games (nine starts) throughout the year. If he can navigate a very good White Sox lineup, the Pirates might have a chance in this game.
Match Details
Fixture: Chicago White Sox @ Pittsburgh Pirates
Date & Time: Saturday, April 8, 6:35 p.m. EDT
Venue: PNC Park in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Chicago White Sox vs. Pittsburgh Pirates: Betting Prediction
Mike Clevinger has been doing incredibly well in his opening start, while Vince Velasquez is facing his former team that knows what he is throwing. The Pirates team has been hitting well, but this will be interesting as Clevinger’s stuff will overpower them. The White Sox have won in four of the previous five games against the Pirates, so go with the Chicago White Sox to go on the road and pick up a win here.
