As the MLB season enters its second half, the two baseball teams from the Second City are heading in opposite directions.
Even with a series of injuries, the White Sox, with a record of 54-35 and the top winning percentage in the American League, have our support.
Contrastingly, the Cubs possess a formidable defense but have suffered defeat in 13 out of their last 15 games.
On July 30, the White Sox are expected to buy while the Cubs are expected to sell during the MLB trade.
At one point, a White Sox vs. Cubs World Series seemed like a long shot but possible. Now, it’s almost impossible to fathom such a scenario.
Let’s analyze the potential regional and World Series opportunities for each team.
Illinois casinos offer World Series ball odds for Chicago.
Below are the top 10 listings of the 2021 World Series odds for Chicago baseball teams at legal online sportsbooks in Illinois.
In a buyers’ business, Sox
The White Sox are one of the top MLB teams in the league with a chance to win it all.
The Chicago team in the American League has the best record, despite missing Eloy Jimenez for the entire season. The 23-year-old, who had an OPS of .891, is expected to return by the end of July and could provide the team with the boost it needs.
Luis Robert, the popular centerfielder for the Sox, has been missing for most of the year. However, he is expected to return a few weeks after Jimenez, bringing his unique two-way skills that will add a new level of talent to Chicago. At the same time, Yasmani Grandal is also set to make a comeback.
The Southsiders are likely to see an increase by the business deadline.
With Nick Madrigal out for the year, there is a clear opportunity at second base. 2020 additions such as Codi Heuer and Matt Foster have not performed well, so finding someone who can provide stability in the infield should be a top focus.
The only other team above .500 in the American League Central is the Indians. The White Sox have the advantage of playing in a weaker division, but they are still only 45-42 due to their own significant injuries.
Considering this, here are the current AL Central odds at FanDuel Sportsbook in Illinois:
- White Sox: 3, 000
- Tribes: 1, 200
- Triplets: 8, 000
- Cats: + 20,000
- Monarchs: + 39, 000
The White Sox have a chance to clinch the division if they can perform well in their upcoming games. The importance of each game will become even more apparent once the playoffs begin.
However, one area of concern for Chicago is their track record against strong teams. The White Sox have a record of 16-24 against teams with a combined strength of .500, which could be problematic heading into October.
That being said, it is advisable to wait and observe how they perform against the league with all their players available.
The Cubs may probably buy before the deadline.
Jed Hoyer, top baseball executive for the Cubs, has confirmed that the team is willing to trade some players as the trade deadline approaches following a recent slump. This decision is also reflected in the NL Central odds.
Presently, the Cubs are eight games behind the Brewers in the administrative lineups for FanDuel.
- Producers: 410
- Red: 400 +
- Kittens: 1, 600 +
- + 1, 800 Cardinal
- Thieves: + 50,000, 000
The Cubs trail by 7.5 games in the Wild Card competition.
Hoyer is expected to present some key players this quarter who could make a difference in the Pennant race. Javier Baez, Anthony Rizzo, and Kris Bryant are all potential candidates for the 2016 World Series lineup.
You may have heard Bryant’s name come up frequently in trade talks. With his contract expiring at the end of the season, he will have the freedom to play any position other than catcher and shortstop. Bryant’s versatility makes him an attractive option for teams looking to fill multiple gaps in their lineup, making him a desirable player for contenders.
Rizzo will also become a free agent, but he does not possess the same level of versatility as Bryant.
Bryant’s market is becoming more interesting as a rental agent who saw his OPS improve from .445 in June to .932 in July.
One of these two groups is poised for a strong second half of the year, while the other may face the start of a rebuilding phase.
