White Sox Could Pull Off Upset Of Dodgers

Dodgers vs. White Sox, 8:10 ET

Dodgers vs. White Sox, 8:10 ET

As far as differences between teams, there are a lot of haves and have-nots out there, but today’s matchups has two squads on very opposite ends of the spectrum. On one side, we have a team with World Series expectations, and on the other an expectation that they will likely be the worst team in baseball and potentially get a top 5 pick in the draft. Today we have the Dodgers taking on the White Sox. 

The Dodgers are off to a great start, and although they will be without Mookie Betts for now and will likely be out until August, they still have a good enough lead in their division to make it not really matter all that much. To be clear, there is no replacing Betts in the lineup with someone else. They can’t just trade for another MVP player who can fill multiple positions if needed. Actually, maybe they can, but they probably won’t. The Dodgers have limitless resources and funding, but right now the trade market doesn’t have too many big names available. The Dodgers are hitting .257 right now, and have scored over 400 runs on the year. Although they added Tyler Glasnow in the offseason, and they have Walker Buehler back this year, I think the Dodgers could use another arm for the team. If they could grab an Ace they could have a rotation of that pitcher, Glasnow, and Shohei Ohtani next season. One guy who is performing rather well for the club this year is tonight’s starter, Gavin Stone. Stone has an 8-2 record with a 3.04 ERA for the year and a 1.20 WHIP. What I like best about him is that he has allowed over three earned runs in a game just twice this season. The Dodgers have won nine of the past ten Stone starts as well. The White Sox offense has never faced him, and that may make it even more difficult for them. 

Apr 13, 2024; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Gavin Stone (71) throws against the San Diego Padres during the second inning at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports

The White Sox are very disappointing. The White Sox have almost 50 more losses than wins right now. This is a team that was a World Series favorite a few years ago and had a young team that virtually everyone thought was going to be good for years. A couple of bad managers, injuries, and trades ended up now at the beginning of another rebuild. Sure, the game tonight is a bit closer in potential because Betts isn’t there, but outside of Luis Robert Jr. I think everyone on the Dodgers would be chosen over White Sox players. He is probably on the trade block, but he has only played in 25 games this season. He is hitting just .190 this month as well, so his value could be down. Another name on the trading block has to be Erick Fedde. Fedde is 5-2 with a 3.05 ERA and a 1.14 WHIP. He has been surprisingly good for the White Sox this season. Although the Sox are just 1-6 in games over his last seven starts, he has delivered strong starts, including three straight quality outings. This is his first home start after five straight road outings. He has made just six home starts with a 0.95 ERA in them. He has tossed 38 innings and allowed just four earned runs, and three runs have come from home runs. Currently, he is on a 19.1 innings scoreless streak on his home mound. He has been pretty good against the Dodgers hitters in the past with only 13 hits allowed in 59 at-bats.

I think the first five innings is how we have to play this game. I still expect the Dodgers to win the full game, but there is a realistic possibility of the White Sox to escape with a victory. Therefore, I can’t play anything in terms of the full game moneyline. I do lean toward the under for the game. However, I think the best bets to make are the under through five innings, and a sprinkle on the White Sox moneyline. Fedde has shown me enough on the season to not only be reliable, but be great at home. 

For more sports betting information and plays, follow David on X/Twitter: @futureprez2024