The showdown between the Cleveland Guardians and the Chicago White Sox is set for May 9, 2024, at Guaranteed Rate Field starting at 7:40 PM. The anticipated condition is light rain which could impact gameplay. Ben Lively, who has maintained an impressive ERA of 2.077, will be pitching for the Guardians. Countering him on the mound for the White Sox will be Erick Fedde, with a higher ERA of 3.462.

Looking at the 2024 AL Central Division standings, the Guardians find themselves at the top with a commendable 19-9 record, translating to a .678 winning percentage. Impressively, they’ve also snagged a divisional record of 4-1. Their performance in recent games includes 7 victories out of the last 10, though they’re looking to rebound from a recent loss. Their record shines both at home (8-4) and on the road (11-5), with balanced success in day (9 wins) and night games (10 wins), scoring 143 runs while allowing 97.

In contrast, the Chicago White Sox are struggling at the bottom of the standings with just 6 wins and 23 losses, a mere .207 winning percentage. Their divisional woes include an abysmal 2-16 record. Recent form isn’t promising with 3 wins in their last 10 matches, coupled with continuous losses both at home (5-10) and especially on the road (1-13). They’ve accumulated just 79 runs but have conceded a hefty 157 runs.

Turning to the odds, the point spread is set at 1.5 in favor of the Guardians, with the over/under at 8.0. Betting lines suggest the Guardians are the favorites, given the Away Team Money Line of -161, as opposed to the White Sox at +135 for the Home Team Money Line. As the odds infer, the Guardians are expected to have a distinct advantage, reflective of their superior season performance and standings.