Despite a historic collapse, the Chicago White Sox are still in contention for the MLB playoffs. They need to win a certain number of games while also hoping for the Cleveland Indians to lose in order to secure the AL Central title.
If the season ended now, the Chicago team would face off against the Astros in Houston in the ALDS, with the Astros currently holding a three-game advantage for home field advantage.
Meanwhile, the Tampa Bay Rays are currently holding the top spot in the American League. With a 4.5-game lead over Houston, if the Sox advance to the ALCS, they could potentially face off against the Rays at Tropicana Field depending on how the bracket is set.
The Sox may not be considered a powerhouse, but if all goes as planned, they have a chance at winning the World Series.
Illinois sports betting apps offer MLB betting odds for Chicago teams.
World Series possibilities for the White Sox in 2021
Discover the top deals on Sox merchandise at sportsbooks in Illinois.
Despite being third in the AL standings, the Sox have better odds to win it all at DraftKings Sportsbook compared to the Rays.
Chicago stands out during the postseason when compared to the regular season. The team benefits from playing in a weaker division and has held a significant lead over Cleveland for most of the year.
Therefore, director Tony La Russa has not been able to execute his role as swiftly as some of his rivals.
For example, Tim Anderson, Luis Robert, Jose Abreu, Yasmani Grandal, Eloy Jimenez, and Yoan Moncada were all in the starting lineup on September 14th and will be starting together again later this season.
These are the top six players in Chicago, and if all goes well, they will be starting every playoff game. Due to injuries and La Russa’s approach to regular-season rest, we have not yet seen the White Sox consistently at full strength.
Sox fans should be feeling confident about their playoff rotation with Carlos Rodon, Lance Lynn, and Lucas Giolito leading the way. Both Rodon and Lynn have an impressive ERA of 2.50 or lower.
The outfield is poised to be a major X-factor by October. While it looks like an elite group on paper, its performance on the field has yet to consistently live up to that potential.
The focus will be on Craig Kimbrel, the high-profile trade deadline addition, who has been underwhelming since joining the team from the Cubs. Kimbrel’s ERA with the Sox has been 5.82 post-trade, a stark contrast to his impressive 0.49 ERA before the deal.
How to wager on the White Sox’s playoff chances
There are various ways to place bets on the White Sox during the playoffs, with betting on them to win the World Series being just one of many options available.
Residents of Illinois can place bets on various types of sports wagers, including moneyline, run line, over/under, and more. Additionally, individual prop bets will be offered, such as predicting if Grandal will hit a home run or guessing the total number of strikeouts by Rodon.
Customers have the option to place bets on the White Sox winning the series against the Astros or emerging as champions of the AL.
Betting on the first five innings is gaining popularity as a way to wager on baseball, and you can also participate in this postseason.
One option is to place a bet on the team you believe will be leading after the first five innings, known as a first five line. This strategy minimizes the impact of bullpens and changes the usual marathon-like nature of the sport into a sprint.
At Guaranteed Rate Field, White Sox COVID regulations are in effect.
During the upcoming playoffs, the White Sox will host spectators at Guaranteed Rate Field with a full capacity crowd of over 40,000 people.
Masks are required in enclosed indoor spaces such as a group store. If not, they are not required. Attending a White Sox event does not require vaccination.
In the 2021 season, Guaranteed Rate Field has gone completely digital, with all tickets accessible on mobile devices.
The White Sox are likely to face the Astros in the ALDS, which is a best-of-five series. This means that Chicago is only guaranteed one home game in the playoffs.
However, over an extended period of time, that figure could increase. Since at least May, White Sox fans have been looking ahead to October, causing a lot of anxiety on the south side of Chicago in the upcoming weeks.
