Chicago at Chicago

So who does a brawl usually benefit? The Cubs are a team that is highly frustrated right now and the actions of Michael Barrett say it all. Even the smallest of things are now getting under the skin of Cubs' players as they are just 3-13 in their last 16 road games, 3-14 as underdogs, and 4-17 against teams with a winning record this season. In games that are expected to be pitching duels, the Cubs simply cannot manufacture runs with their anemic lineup as they are just 2-11 when the total is set between 7 and 8.5. The White Sox on send Contreras to the mound and he has been phenomenal at 5-0 with a 1.41 ERA. Although Zambrano has pitched well of late and holds a 3.34 ERA, the Cubs are just scoring 3.5 per game, where as the Sox are putting up 5.66 runs per game. Even if this game does turn into a pitchers duel, the advantage goes to the White Sox with their offense. I also think the White Sox want to send a clear message that they simply do not appreciate their catcher being sucker punched at home plate. Road underdogs with a money line of +150 or more after 2 straight games with no home runs, with a hot bullpen whose WHIP is under 1.000 the last 5 games are only 8-50 (14%) over the last 5 seasons. Throw in the fact that the White Sox are 10-1 as favorites of -150 to -200 and are 12-1 when Contreras starts when the totals are set at 7 to 8.5, and the clear pick here is on the White Sox to continue their domination over their in-state rivals.