The Cleveland Guardians open a three-game set at Rate Field on Monday with first place in the AL Central on the line. Cleveland sits 41-37, just one game ahead of the 39-37 White Sox, so the division lead can change hands inside this series.
The Guardians are narrow road favorites at -115 on the moneyline. However, their bats have gone quiet lately, which makes this matchup closer than the standings imply. Our headline lean still backs Cleveland to win outright, and we expect a low-scoring night. Here is the full breakdown.
Last Updated: Monday, June 22, 2026
CLEVELAND GUARDIANS VS CHICAGO WHITE SOX TIME & HOW TO WATCH | |
|---|---|
| Where | Rate Field, Chicago, Illinois |
| When | Monday, June 22 – 7:40 PM ET |
| TV | CHSN (Chicago) / CleGuardians.TV |
Cleveland Guardians vs. Chicago White Sox Game Preview
The pitching matchup tilts toward Cleveland. Right-hander Gavin Williams carries a 3.32 ERA with a 1.10 WHIP and 99 strikeouts across 13 starts, and he owns a 9-3 record. His ceiling is high. In a recent outing against Philadelphia, he spun eight scoreless innings with 11 strikeouts and no walks. He followed that with a win over the Yankees, allowing three runs over 5.1 innings while striking out six.
Still, Williams has not been untouchable. Over his last three starts he has surrendered 26 hits and 12 earned runs, a clear step back from his early-season form. The upside is that he has provided length all year, pitching at least five innings in every start. That durability matters for a Cleveland bullpen that has been leaned on during a rough stretch.
Chicago counters with left-hander Anthony Kay, who sits at a 4.34 ERA over 66.1 innings with a 6-1 record. The peripheral numbers raise flags, though. Kay has issued 27 walks against 53 strikeouts, and his 1.42 WHIP shows how often he puts runners on. He has also allowed 10 home runs, so mistakes in the zone can travel. For more on his profile, see his 4.34 ERA and 1.42 WHIP this season.
Recent form complicates the picture. The Guardians have dropped to 4-6 over their last 10 games while hitting just .219 as a team, and injuries have thinned the lineup. Chicago, meanwhile, has climbed to within a game of the top and plays this set at home. The standings are tight, and the Guardians lead the AL Central by one game entering the opener.
CLEVELAND GUARDIANS VS CHICAGO WHITE SOX ODDS | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Run Line | Moneyline | Total | |
| CLEVELAND GUARDIANS | -1.5 (+150) | -115 | U 8.0 (-115) |
| CHICAGO WHITE SOX | +1.5 (-175) | -105 | O 8.0 (-105) |
Odds accurate as of Monday, June 22, 2026 via TheSpread.com. Odds change, get the latest MLB Odds - Futures - Props
CLEVELAND GUARDIANS VS CHICAGO WHITE SOX WHO IS THE PUBLIC BETTING? | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| CLEVELAND GUARDIANS | 59% | 41% | CHICAGO WHITE SOX |
See the latest MLB Public Betting Splits and make smarter wagers!
Guardians vs White Sox Prediction
This is close to a coin flip on price, and that is exactly why the moneyline is more attractive than the run line here. Williams brings the better arm and the better strikeout profile, and Kay has been hittable. A 1.42 WHIP and 10 home runs allowed point to a starter who gives the other side chances. Cleveland does not need a blowout to cash a moneyline ticket. It only needs Williams to control the game and the bullpen to hold.
The case against Cleveland is real. The offense has scuffled to a .219 mark over the last 10 games, and a lineup that cannot score makes any favorite risky. Chicago is playing at home and has trended upward, closing the gap in the division. Williams also carries some recent volatility, with 12 earned runs over his last three turns. If his command wavers early, Kay only needs to keep his team within reach. Still, the talent edge and the short price keep us on the road side.
The Pick: Cleveland Guardians Moneyline (-115)
Guardians vs White Sox Best Bet
The number opened at 8.0 and has not moved, and the under has support. Williams misses bats and works deep, which limits the high-scoring innings that push totals over. Cleveland's bats have been cold, so the visitors may not do much damage even against a shaky Kay. A quiet Guardians lineup plus a quality Cleveland starter is a recipe for a manageable run count.
On the other hand, Kay is the swing factor. His walks and home run rate can turn one bad inning into a crooked number, and Williams has allowed runs in bunches across his last three starts. If both starters leak, the over is live. We still favor the under because the stronger arm and the colder offense both point the same direction.
The Pick: Under 8.0 (-115)
Final Thoughts and Bonus Angle
Watch the early innings closely. Williams has set the tone when he is sharp, and his eight-inning shutout earlier this month shows the kind of outing that flips this game. If he locates his fastball, Chicago will struggle to string hits together. The other key is whether Cleveland's lineup can wake up against a left-hander who allows traffic. Even a couple of timely hits would ease the pressure on a thin offense.
Bullpen usage is the late-game variable. Cleveland has carried a heavier relief load during its recent slide, so a short Williams start would test depth in a one-run game. For broader context on the slate, see our latest MLB best bets and predictions. To recap our card for this matchup: Cleveland Guardians moneyline (-115) and Under 8.0 (-115).
MLB Guardians vs. White Sox Prediction FAQ
What time does the Cleveland Guardians vs. Chicago White Sox game start?
First pitch is set for 7:40 PM ET on Monday, June 22, 2026, at Rate Field in Chicago, Illinois.
What channel is the Cleveland Guardians vs. Chicago White Sox game on?
The game is carried locally on CHSN in the Chicago market and on CleGuardians.TV in the Cleveland market.
Who is pitching for the Guardians on June 22?
Gavin Williams (3.32 ERA) starts for Cleveland, and he faces left-hander Anthony Kay (4.34 ERA) of the White Sox.
Who is favored in the Cleveland Guardians vs. Chicago White Sox game?
Cleveland is a slight moneyline favorite at -115. On the run line, the Guardians are -1.5 (+150) and the White Sox are +1.5 (-175).