For the first time since 2008, the Chicago White Sox made the postseason. Cause by pandemic enhanced extra wild card spots awarded in the 2020 season. But can the White Sox can play .599 ball over an entire 162-game schedule? One year ago, the White Sox were universally acclaimed for their aggressive offseason moves. Correlate that Chicago remade its roster. As a result, baseball betting expectations for the Chi Sox are much higher than before the remake. This past offseason, the White Sox struck again with the Liam Hendriks acquisition. Since 2019 Hendricks has been an elite closer.
2021 Chicago White Sox Team Preview
| Chicago White Sox | Odds |
|---|---|
| Odds to win 2021 American League Pennant | +400 |
| Odds to Win 2021 World Series | +1000 |
| Odds to Win 2021 American League Central Division | -110 |
| 2021 Over/Under Win Total | 91.5 |
| 2020 Record | 35-25 SU, 27-31-2 O/U, +$285 Units |
2021 Chicago White Sox SBG Odds Overview
At the onset of the 2021 season is a golden online betting opportunity for the White Sox. The American League Central is there for the taking. Minnesota figures to be the only serious threat to the White Sox. Cleveland is in retreat. Meanwhile, Kansas City and Detroit are not ready for prime time.
2021 Chicago White Sox Season Preview
Last season the White Sox finished 35-25. And Chicago showed the look of a complete team. At the plate, that includes MLB metrics of 6th for runs scored and 3rd for home runs. While on the mound, Chicago was 6th for staff earned run average, 9th for quality starts, and 7th for the bullpen. Should the White Sox come close to that type of performance in 2021, a playoff spot beckons?
To begin with, the 2021 season marks the second coming of Hall of Fame manager Tony LaRussa. He is a former White Sox manager from the 1980s. Now age 76, LaRussa has been retired since 2011 after winning the World Series with the Cardinals. Overall, LaRussa has won three World Series titles for his career. And he is a four-time manager of the year. LaRussa will try and work his magic for one more shot at a World Series.
So why would LaRussa come out of retirement at his age to manage the White Sox? It’s evident that he sees Chicago’s baseball betting potential. That fuels optimism with gamblers that there is something to the noise. Further, it’s hard to imagine a manager with more credibility than Tony LaRussa.
First baseman Jose Abreu won the third AL Silver Slugger Award of his career in 2020. Abreu is projected to hit over 30 home runs and drive in over 110 runs in 2021. In 2020, he clobbered 15 doubles and 19 home runs with a .987 OPS in just 60 games.
So too was left fielder Eloy Jimenez was a 2020 AL Silver Slugger Award winner. Jimenez is projected to hit over 35 home runs and 100 runs batted in this season. Last year Jimenez hit 14 doubles, 14 home runs and compiled a .891 OPS.
Namely, closer Liam Hendriks was All-MLB First Team last year for the A’s. Hendriks has 39 saves over the past two seasons with a WHIP of 0.96 in 2019 and 0.67 in 2020.
On the whole, the White Sox have a reliable top three in their starting rotation with Lucas Giolito, Dallas Keuchel, and Lance Lynn.