The Chicago White Sox (58-99) and New York Yankees (89-68) play the second game of a 3-game series Wednesday. First pitch from Yankee Stadium in the Bronx, New York, is set for 7:05 p.m. ET. Let’s analyze BetMGM Sportsbook’s MLB odds around the White Sox vs. Yankees odds and make our expert MLB picks and predictions for the best bets.

Season series: Yankees lead 4-1

The Yankees are officially playoff-bound for the eighth time in the last 9 years after a dramatic 3-2 win over the White Sox Tuesday. New York, a -221 home favorite, cashed the Under (8.5), stranding 11 runners on base. The clutch moment came in the bottom of the ninth: An RBI walk from Cody Bellinger tied it before 3B Jose Caballero ripped a walk-off RBI single to secure the victory. The celebration was short-lived, though — the Yankees still have work to do, sitting just 1 game behind the Toronto Blue Jays in the AL East race.

The White Sox dropped their third straight game, continuing a brutal stretch where they’ve lost 9 of their last 10 overall and 4 straight on the road. SP Shane Smith (5 IP, 1 ER, 5 H, 4 BB, 8 K) turned in a strong outing, but the offense couldn’t back him up — going 0-for-4 with runners in scoring position and leaving 7 stranded. SS Colson Montgomery did blast his 19th home run of the season. At this point, Chicago is simply playing for pride and future roster spots heading into next year.

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White Sox at Yankees projected starters

LHP Fraser Ellard vs. LHP Max Fried

Ellard (0-2, 4.50 ERA) will serve as the opener Wednesday. He’s allowed 8 hits and 16 walks with 20 K’s through 16 innings in 2 starts and 14 relief appearances.

Last appearance: No-decision, 1/3 relief IP, 2 ER, 1 H, 3 BB, 1 K in 7-3 home defeat against San Diego Padres Saturday2025 home stats: 0-1, 4.00 ERA (9 IP, 4 ER), 1.33 WHIP, 4 H, 8 BB, 11 K in 9 gamesCareer vs. Yankees: 1 relief appearance (Aug. 13, 2024), 1 2/3 IP, 1 ER, 1 H, 0 BB, 3 K in 7-5 home defeat

Fried (18-5, 2.92 ERA) is making his 32nd start. He has a 1.11 WHIP, 2.3 BB/9 and 8.7 K/9 through 188 1/3 innings.

Last start: Win, 7 IP, 0 ER, 3 H, 1 BB, 13 K in 7-0 victory at Baltimore Orioles Thursday2025 home stats: 7-2, 2.46 ERA (84 IP, 23 ER), 1.07 WHIP, 8.7 K/9 in 14 startsCareer vs. White Sox: 1 home start with Atlanta Braves (Aug. 30, 2019), win, 6 IP, 3 ER (4 R), 4 H, 1 BB, 11 K in 10-7 victoryWhite Sox at Yankees odds

Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 11:40 a.m. ET.

Moneyline (ML): White Sox +300 (bet $100 to win $300) | Yankees -375 (bet $375 to win $100)Run line (RL)/Against the spread (ATS): White Sox +1.5 (+130) | Yankees -1.5 (-170)Over/Under (O/U): 8 (O: -110 | U: -110)

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White Sox at Yankees picks and predictionsPrediction

Yankees 4, White Sox 1

PASS.

You simply can’t bet these odds on the Yankees (-375); there is no value there. Take your wager to the run line.

BET YANKEES -1.5 (-170).

I’m backing the Yankees on the run line at -1.5 (-170) against the White Sox, and a lot of it comes down to Fried on the mound. He’s been one of the most consistent arms in baseball this season. He doesn’t give up much hard contact, keeps runners off base and regularly works deep into games.

The matchup plays right into New York’s hands. The White Sox have struggled badly at the plate, ranking near the bottom of the league in runs per game. Against left-handed pitching, they’re only hitting about .245, and Fried is a much tougher southpaw than they’re used to seeing. Chicago’s offense has looked lifeless most of the year, which makes it tough to see it keeping up if the Yankees’ bats get going.

And motivation matters here. The Yankees clinched a playoff spot Tuesday, but they’re still fighting for the AL East crown, sitting just 1 game back. They have every reason to keep pushing, while the White Sox are simply playing out the string. That urgency gives me even more confidence New York covers the run line.

BET UNDER 8 (-110).

The Under is the strongest play for Wednesday’s matchup. It’s cashed in 3 straight meetings between these teams and 8 of the White Sox’s last 10, thanks to an offense that just hasn’t produced all year. On the other side, the Yankees have been riding terrific pitching, going Under in 5 straight and 7 of their last 10. With both trends lining up, the smart move is to back the Under again.

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