White Sox vs Cubs Picks and Prediction – 5/16/2025

The Friday MLB schedule will get underway with a crosstown rivalry between the Chicago White Sox and the Chicago Cubs from Wrigley Field. Be ready for the baseball season with all of our MLB predictions. The White Sox (14-30) have dropped 18 of their first 23 road games and own the worst overall record in the American League. On Thursday, Chicago batters were limited to four hits during a 7-1 road loss against Cincinnati. 

Rooke right-hander Shane Smith (1-2 2.08 ERA) will make his ninth career major league start for the White Sox. Last time out, Smith fired six shutout frames and fanned seven batters during a 3-1 home loss versus Miami. 

The Chicago Cubs are two games above .500 at home and are clinging to a one-game lead over St. Louis for the top spot in the NL Central Division. On Wednesday, SP Jameson Taillon (2-3) allowed three runs in six innings during a 3-1 home loss versus Miami. OF Seiya Suzuki crushed his 11th home run of the year in a losing effort for the Cubs, who fell to 25-19 overall.

The Cubs will counter with rookie right-hander Cade Horton (1-0 6.75 ERA) in the series opener. In his major league debut, Horton (4 IP) gave up four hits and three runs during a 6-5 road victory against New York. 

Ian Happ has been placed on the 10-day injured list with a left oblique strain and will not play in this series. Through 44 games, the White Sox rank 30th in OPS and 28th in runs scored. For the season, the Cubs rank 4th in OPS and 2nd in runs scored. The wind will be blowing out to left center, so you know what to do. Take the over. Final Score Prediction, Chicago Cubs win 10-5.