3 Best Bets for Wednesday's Crosstown Classic Matchup: Cubs at White Sox (7/26/23)

Game 2 of the Windy City rivalry is slated for 8:10 pm (EST) from Guaranteed Rate Field with the Chicago Cubs (49-51) attempting to complete a two-game sweep over the Chicago White Sox (41-61).

With just 11 miles separating Chicago's two baseball teams, summer bragging rights are on the line ahead of the Chicago Bears' football season. Neither team has had quite the season they'd hoped for coming into the year, but the Cubs at least have an outside chance at the playoffs just 6.0 games back in the NL Central.

While the south-siders hold a 70-65 advantage all-time and have taken the Crosstown Cup two years running, the north siders have been the more successful team in 2023 and stole last night's opener 7-3.

Another pair of righties face off tonight with Marcus Stroman (10-7) toeing the rubber for the Cubs and Lance Lynn (6-9) scheduled for the Sox.

We nailed all three best bets from yesterday's Game 1, so let's dive into three bets to keep an eye on ahead of tonight's Game 2.

As always, MLB odds can be found via FanDuel Sportsbook.

Cubs Over 4.5 Runs (-106)

I believe the saying goes "if it ain't broke don't fix it."

We touched on Chicago's post-All-Star break offense ad nauseam yesterday, but it bears repeating ahead of a matchup with Lance Lynn.

The Cubs are absolutely raking.

After scoring seven runs in yesterday's win, Chicago's north siders are now leading the league with 6.9 runs per game since the break. They've put up an MLB-best .374 wOBA over that span thanks to a barrage of base hits.

While their .363 BABIP suggests some regression is imminent, they have a soft matchup with the wildly inconsistent Lynn. Lynn has given up the most runs in the league this season and holds a downright ugly 6.18 ERA. He's struggled mightily with the long ball, having given up four more homers than any other pitcher in baseball.

That bodes well for a Cubs team that's performed well against righties to the tune of a .320 wOBA. Considering he's given up at least four runs and multiple home runs in three of his last four starts, the Cubs could feast against Lynn in what may be his final start in a White Sox uniform.

Stroman Over 4.5 Strikeouts (-118)

Marcus Stroman has cooled off since his blazing-hot beginning to the season, and he's struck out just seven batters over his last two starts. Strikeouts are not his usual game considering he boasts just a 21.1% strikeout rate. Throw in that he hasn't eclipsed eight punchouts in any game this season and you may be asking...

Why are we looking at his strikeout prop?

Well, to begin with, 4.5 is an incredibly low number for a starting pitcher -- especially one who goes deep into games as often as Stroman. Even the softest-throwing pitcher can get to five if he stays in the game long enough, and that's what I expect from 'Stro tonight.

He has struggled this month, allowing four-plus runs in three of his four July outings. However, the White Sox are a soft matchup, especially for righties. The south siders have the fourth-lowest wOBA (.299) and strike out at the 11th-highest rate (23.3%) against right-handed pitchers.

Even if Stroman gets into trouble, that doesn't necessarily take this prop off the table. He's recorded at least five strikeouts in 14 of his 21 starts overall and in two of the last three where he's given up four-plus runs. Despite lasting just 3.2 innings in his most recent outing, Stroman generated 12 swinging strikes -- his most since the end of May.

Considering the White Sox lead the league in both swing rate (50.2%) and swinging-strike rate (12.9%), the control-oriented Stroman could have a field day and blow past his low strikeout number.

Hoerner to Record a Run (-105)

If we're back in on the Cubs' team total, it makes sense to follow that up with some action from their lineup.

Second baseman Nico Hoerner had a monster game in their win last night, recording three hits and scoring twice. A seventh-inning home run notched his fifth run over the past three games as he continues to heat back up after a prolonged cold spell.

In 11 games since the All-Star break, Hoerner's hit .319, recorded a .399 wOBA, and scored 9 runs. His low 12.7% strikeout rate gives him countless opportunities to get on, and his speed (24 stolen bases) helps puts him in scoring position.

Hoerner is cemented in the No. 2 spot in the Cubs' lineup -- a beautiful place to be right now considering how well Cody Bellinger is hitting in the four-hole. With his walk rate up to 9.4% since the break, Hoerner will have ample opportunities to get on base and touch all four bags tonight.

The above author is a FanDuel employee and is not eligible to compete in public daily fantasy contests or place sports betting wagers on FanDuel. The advice provided by the author does not necessarily represent the views of FanDuel. Taking the author’s advice will not guarantee a successful outcome. You should use your own judgment when participating in daily fantasy contests or placing sports wagers.