Crosstown Classic Showdown: Cubs vs. White Sox Prediction and MLB Pick for Sunday's Game at Rate Field

The 2025 Major League Baseball season features the Crosstown Classic on Sunday, July 27 at Rate Field in Chicago, Illinois. This game marks the closing contest of a three-game series between the Cubs and White Sox. The White Sox previously defeated the Cubs 12-5 in the opener, with the middle game not included in the analysis. The Cubs had previously swept the White Sox in a three-game home series in May. The upcoming Cubs vs. White Sox prediction and MLB pick for Sunday's game at 2:10 PM ET will be crucial for both teams.

Betting Odds

Moneyline: Cubs -160 | White Sox +145
Spread: Cubs -1.5 (+100) | White Sox +1.5 (-120)
Total: Over/Under 8.5 (-110)
Based on the moneyline, the implied probability that Chicago will win straight-up is 62%.

Chicago Cubs

The Chicago Cubs were heavily favored to beat the White Sox last Friday, but suffered a 11-0 defeat after pitcher Shota Imanaga had a rough outing. This loss marked the Cubs' fourth defeat in five games, during which they have struggled on both offense and defense. As a result, they fell behind the Milwaukee Brewers in the NL Central standings. The Cubs have yet to announce their starting pitcher for Saturday's game, but Ben Brown or Chris Flexen may get the call based on recent performances.

Chicago White Sox

The Chicago White Sox have been on a hot streak in the second half of the season, winning six of their first seven games. After a successful series against the Pirates and Rays, they dominated the Cubs with an 18-9 hit advantage in a 12-5 victory. Since the All-Star break, the team has scored 61 runs and has impressive batting statistics. The bullpen has also performed well with a 3-0 record and 2.55 ERA. Sean Burke, with a 4-8 record and 4.19 ERA, is set to pitch on Sunday. In his last outing, he threw four innings with two unearned runs against the Rays. Burke faced the Cubs in May and struggled, but will look to redeem himself in the upcoming game.

White Sox vs. Cubs: Bettors face tough decision with pitching matchups and bullpen struggles

This matchup poses a challenge for bettors as both teams present unique strengths and weaknesses. The White Sox are currently performing well, however, there are concerns regarding Sean Burke's pitching abilities and previous performance against the Cubs. Conversely, the Cubs are likely to utilize a bullpen day, which has struggled since the All-Star break with a 7.31 ERA and a 1.41 WHIP. Despite these challenges, it is anticipated that the Cubs will see improvement in their relief pitching soon. With a formidable lineup, the Cubs are expected to capitalize on their previous success against Burke, who has struggled with a 4.05 ERA and 5.64 FIP in four starts this month. Ultimately, the Cubs are poised to take advantage of this matchup given their track record against Burke and the current performance of their bullpen.

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