Chicago White Sox vs Chicago Cubs Prediction 5/16/25 MLB Picks

The Chicago White Sox and the Chicago Cubs meet Friday in MLB action from Wrigley Field. We will look at this from a betting perspective and determine the best bets for this game. Here’s a Chicago White Sox vs. Chicago Cubs prediction.

Starting Pitching Matchup

The Chicago White Sox will send out Shane Smith for the start here, and Smith is 1-2 with a 2.08 ERA and 38 strikeouts this season. This will be Smith’s first career start against the Cubs. Cade Horton will get the start for the Chicago Cubs and is 1-0 with a 6.75 ERA and 5 strikeouts this season. This will be Horton’s first career start against the White Sox.

Chicago White Sox Recap

The Chicago White Sox come into this game looking to bounce back from a 7-1 loss at the hands of the Cincinnati Reds last time out to slip to 14-30 on the year. After this series, the White Sox will head home for a series against the Seattle Mariners.

White Sox Win 4 Of Their Last 6 Despite Thursday’s Loss

Lenyn Sosa leads the White Sox with 40 hits, including 7 doubles and 11 RBIs. Andrew Benintendi has 19 hits, including 5 home runs, 12 RBIs, and a .224 batting average, while Miguel Vargas has a team-high 9 doubles and 16 RBIs. Brooks Baldwin has also added 16 RBIs, while Luis Robert Jr. has a team-high 17 stolen bases along with 17 RBIs so far this season. Andrew Vaughn has 5 home runs and 18 RBIs as well as 8 doubles this season.

Why the Chicago White Sox will win

• The White Sox have won five of their last six games as underdogs against National League opponents.
• The White Sox have covered the run line in each of their last six road games against the Cubs following a loss.
• The Cubs have failed to cover the run line in eight of their last nine home games against the White Sox following a loss.

Chicago White Sox Player Prop Facts

• Miguel Vargas has recorded at least one RBI in five of his last six appearances against NL Central opponents that held a winning record.
• Andrew Benintendi has recorded a Double in each of his five previous appearances at Wrigley Field.
• Luis Robert has recorded at least one hit in each of his last 10 appearances against NL Central opponents that held a winning record.
• Andrew Benintendi has scored a run in each of his last five appearances.
• Miguel Vargas has hit a home run in five of his last six appearances against NL Central opponents that held a winning record.
• Luis Robert has recorded a Single in each of his last six appearances against NL Central opponents that held a winning record.
• Luis Robert ranks 1st in the league in Steals (17) this season.

Chicago Cubs Recap

The Chicago Cubs come into this game looking to bounce back from their 3-1 loss at the hands of the Miami Marlins last time out to sit at 25-19 on the year. After this series, the Cubs will head on the road for a rematch series against the Marlins.

Cubs Looking To Rebound

Ian Happ has 43 hits with 9 doubles, 3 home runs, and 19 RBIs. Kyle Tucker has 45 hits, including 9 doubles, 3 triples, 10 home runs, and 33 RBIs, while Seiya Suzuki also has 39 hits with 7 doubles and 11 home runs and 35 RBIs of his own. Miguel Amaya added 8 doubles and 18 RBIs, and Pete Crow-Armstrong also has contributed 45 hits, 11 doubles, 11 home runs, and 30 RBIs as well this season. Dansby Swanson has added 9 home runs and 24 RBIs, while Suzuki has the unfortunate distinction of leading the Cubs with 52 strikeouts so far this season. Crow-Armstrong also has a team-high 13 stolen bases, while Nico Hoerner has 8 stolen bases this season. Tucker’s also added 10 stolen bases, while Michael Busch has also chipped in 7 home runs and 24 RBIs this season.

Why the Chicago Cubs will win

• The Cubs have won each of their last six home games against AL Central opponents following a home loss.
• The White Sox have lost 12 of their last 13 games against NL Central opponents following a loss.
• The Cubs have covered the run line in each of their last four day games against AL Central opponents following a loss.
• The White Sox have failed to cover the run line in four of their last five day games against NL Central opponents.

Chicago Cubs Player Prop Facts

• Seiya Suzuki has hit at least one home run in three of the Cubs’ last four day games against opponents that held a losing record.
• Seiya Suzuki has recorded at least one hit in each of the Cubs’ last 10 games as favorites against AL opponents.
• Seiya Suzuki has scored at least one run in each of the Cubs’ last six games against AL opponents.
• Seiya Suzuki has recorded at least one Single in each of the Cubs’ last 10 games as favorites against AL opponents.
• Seiya Suzuki has recorded at least one RBI in each of the Cubs’ last seven games against AL opponents.
• Pete Crow-Armstrong ranks T5th in the league in Steals (13) this season.

Total Runs Facts

• Each of the Cubs’ last seven games against American League opponents have gone OVER the total runs line.
• Seven of the White Sox’s last eight road games have gone UNDER the total runs line.

Chicago White Sox vs. Chicago Cubs Prediction

I’m on the White Sox here. I just think that Shane Smith is going to be for this team what Garrett Crochet was for last year’s team. The starting pitcher who is on the bump for a fair number of team wins. It hasn’t necessarily played out like that so far this year, but Smith is a solid option that can hold the White Sox in this game, and I didn’t love how Horton looked in his debut. I’ll take a stab at the White Sox here.