For the opening game, the Cubs send left-hander Shōta Imanaga (7-3, 2.40 ERA) to the mound against Adrian Houser (5-2, 1.89 ERA) for the White Sox. In his last start, Imanaga did not allow an earned run, giving up five hits and striking out five. Houser, meanwhile, surrendered three earned runs over ten hits in his most recent outing.
Betting odds favor the Cubs, who are listed at -187 on the moneyline, while the White Sox are +154. The run line is Cubs -1.5, and the over/under for total runs is set at 8.0. NBC Sports’ model recommends a bet on the Cubs to win, but leans toward the White Sox to cover the +1.5 spread and the over on total runs.
The Cubs enter this matchup with momentum, having won four straight games at the White Sox’s home field and going 4-1 in Imanaga’s last five starts. The under has hit in seven of the Cubs’ last ten road games. Historically, the Cubs lead the regular-season intracity series 75-74, making this one of MLB’s most closely contested rivalries.
The White Sox, returning from the All-Star break, have shown improved form, highlighted by a sweep of the Pirates and strong contributions from veterans Luis Robert Jr. and Miguel Vargas. Young players like Colson Montgomery and Chase Meidroth have also stepped up, and the bullpen has delivered in key moments.
Probable starters for the rest of the series include Cade Horton (Cubs) vs. Aaron Civale (White Sox) on Saturday, and a yet-to-be-named Cubs pitcher vs. Sean Burke (White Sox) on Sunday. All three games will be broadcast locally on Marquee Sports Network and Chicago Sports Network/WCIU-Ch. 26.
Looking ahead, the Cubs will travel to Milwaukee for a series against the Brewers after this matchup. With both teams trending in different directions, the Cubs are favored to win the series but could face a tougher challenge from a revitalized White Sox lineup.