Operating in relative anonymity as second fiddle to the Chicago Cubs, the Chicago White Sox may be close to finally breaking out into contender status for 2020. The White Sox have been second choice in the Windy City since 1982 when the late great announcer Harry Caray switched sides and bolted the Pale Hose for the Cubs. Not even a World Series championship in 2005 could sustain the White Sox in the minds of fans. Add to the fact that the Cubs won the 2016 World Series and play at iconic Wrigley Field, you can see why there has been an identity crisis for the White Sox. Not having a winning season since 2012 with their last playoff berth in 2008 has also driven fans away. Yet optimism is rising on the North Side after a productive offseason.
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2020 Chicago White Sox Win Total Odds at Bookmaker.eu: 84.5, -115 over, -115 under
The White Sox were among the most active teams in all of baseball this past offseason and have remade their roster. Chicago spent big money on free agents Yasmani Grandal and Edwin Encarnacion while extending Jose Abreu and Luis Robert. On the hill the Sox inked free agent southpaws Dallas Keuchel and Gio Gonzalez. The extra effort has impressed gamblers, who expect a winning season at the very least.
American League Central
Factoring in the White Sox favor to surpass 84.5 wins is the relatively weak American League Central Division. The Pale Hose will have a disproportionate amount of games against the Kansas City Royals and Detroit Tigers, two of the worst teams in baseball. The defending division champion Minnesota Twins and top challenger Cleveland Indians will be more difficult to beat, but are not dominant clubs.
On the Hill
Right hander Lucas Giolito is the projected number one starter after an impressive 2019 campaign for the White Sox that was good enough for AL All-Star honors. Giolito was 14-9 with a 3.41 earned run average and WHIP of 1.06. He struck out 228 batters in 176.2 innings of work.
Left hander Dallas Keuchel arrives from the Atlanta Braves where he spent last season after a seven-year run with the Houston Astros. Keuchel was 8-8 for Atlanta in 2019 with a 3.75 earned run average and WHIP of 1.37. Keuchel has kept his ERA at 3.75 or lower in five of his last six seasons and is a two-time AL All-Star.
Closer Alex Colome saved 30 games for the White Sox last year while going 4-5 with a 2.80 earned run average. It was a performance that reminded everyone of his 2016 All-Star campaign.
At the Plate
First baseman Jose Abreu is a three-time All-Star, including the past two seasons. Last year Abreu produced 85 runs, 38 doubles, 33 home runs, 123 runs batted in, .284 average, .503 slugging percentage, and a .834 OPS.
Catcher Yasmani Grandal arrives from the Milwaukee Brewers, where he spent one season after playing the previous four years for the Los Angeles Dodgers. Grandal was an NL All-Star for the second time in his career last year. For 2019 he scored 79 runs with 26 doubles, 28 home runs, 77 runs batted in, 109 walks, and a .848 OPS.
Designated hitter Edwin Encarnacion is a three-time AL All-Star that has hit 32 or more home runs every season since 2012.
2020 Chicago White Sox Win Total Betting Odds Pick
There is an element of betting the come on the White Sox but with plenty of good reason starting with their weak division. Chicago has made a concerted effort to get back into contender status and should enjoy an improved 2020 season.
MLB Betting Odds Prediction: Chicago White Sox over 84.5 wins
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