Chicago Cubs vs. Chicago White Sox Prediction, Preview, Picks & Odds - 5/29/2022

Time: 2:10 p.m. ET

Venue: Guaranteed Rate Field, Chicago, IL

Where to watch: Marquee Sports Network, NBC Sports Chicago

DraftKings: Cubs -135, White Sox +115

BetMGM: NL

Caesars: Cubs -135, White Sox +115

Cubs: 19-26

White Sox: 22-23

What a bounce-back effort from the Chicago Cubs. It's just funny we were discussing the other day of how they got ran out of Cincinnati by way of the Reds scoring 20 runs on them. For the Cubs to come back and not only win against the Chicago White Sox, but hold them to just one run, was incredible.

And now the Cubs will turn to ace Marcus Stroman for the finale of the two-game series. Keegan Thompson, who is now 5-0 this season, made just his third start of the season by going five innings and allowing just one run while striking out four, outdueling the red-hot Johnny Cueto.

Cueto went 6.2 innings but gave up all five runs and struck out just two. Those runs included an RBI double from Patrick Wisdom, and two RBI singles from Frank Schwindel.

"I felt like I was kind of all over the place and not really hitting a ton of spots," Thompson said. "I just got really lucky and missed all the barrels."

But the fact of the matter is he kept the White Sox off the board for the most part, and got the win. It's something the Cubs haven't been able to say a lot of lately, especially with their starting pitching. Thompson will likely get a few days before making another appearance, but it had to be good for this group to get a good road win at the White Sox.

The Cubs wouldn't normally take advantage of a banged-up team like the White Sox. Luis Robert is on the COVID list, Yoan Moncada is on the IL with a left quad issue, and Eloy Jimenez is also hurt. The run production now falls on Tim Anderson and Jose Abreu, but that doesn't really do much for the time being. Getting on base will help, but they can't be trusted to drive runs in right now.

And there's also Jake Burger, who hit a homer on National Hamburger Day, but it wasn't enough. His solo shot was the only offense the White Sox could muster on Saturday.

“We never have a doubt in ourselves and the talent we have in this clubhouse,” said Burger, the third baseman who had three hits. “Eventually it's going to turn around. I think we do that day by day and pitch by pitch. I think we're going in the right direction."

Cueto has looked good since returning to the major leagues, but that lack of run support would've helped him a great deal in this instance. Cueto, who didn't allow a run in his first two starts, came back to Earth in this one.

“This is a good group with a lot of talent,” said Cueto through an interpreter. “This is a happy clubhouse and everybody likes to have fun. There’s plenty of season to play. We’ll see.”

Even though his Cubs tenure hasn't gotten off to a hot start, I like Stroman in this situation against a struggling White Sox group. His off-speed stuff could be a problem for those outside of Anderson, and I think if the Cubs can get a couple of early runs, that'll do a lot for Stroman's confidence. Cubs win 6-3

Cubs are 9-9 this season as a road underdog.

Cubs are 19-26 in inter-league games the past three seasons.

White Sox are 9-7 as a home favorite this season.

Cubs:
Christopher Morel (R) CF
Willson Contreras (R) C
Ian Happ (S) LF
Patrick Wisdom (R) 3B
Frank Schwindel (R) DH
Alfonso Rivas (L) 1B
Nico Hoerner (R) SS
Rafael Ortega (L) RF
Andrelton Simmons (R) 2B
SP - Marcus Stroman

White Sox:
Tim Anderson (R) SS
Josh Harrison (R) 2B
Andrew Vaughn (R) RF
Jose Abreu (R) 1B
Yasmani Grandal (S) C
AJ Pollock (R) LF
Gavin Sheets (L) DH
Jake Burger (R) 3B
Adam Engel (R) CF
SP - Dylan Cease

Batting average: Ian Happ -- .268

Hits: Ian Happ -- 38

Home runs: Patrick Wisdom -- 10

RBI: Two tied -- 25

Wins: Keegan Thompson -- 5

Saves: David Robertson -- 6

ERA: Kyle Hendricks -- 5.20

Batting average: Tim Anderson -- .354

Hits: Tim Anderson -- 57

Home runs: Luis Robert -- 6

RBI: Three tied -- 19

Wins: Two tied -- 4

Saves: Liam Hendriks -- 14

ERA: Dylan Cease -- 4.24