The Pittsburgh Pirates (73-73) and the Chicago White Sox (75-70) wrap up a 3-game interleague series Thursday at Rate Field in Chicago, Illinois. First pitch is scheduled for 7:40 p.m. ET. Let's analyze MLB odds around the Pirates vs. White Sox odds and make our expert MLB picks and predictions for the best bets.
Season series: Pirates lead 2-0
The Pirates (+109) clinched the series victory with a 4-2 win Wednesday, as they've outscored the White Sox 13-5 in the first 2 games while splitting the Over-Under. Pirates RF Esmerlyn Valdez went 1 for 2 with a solo home run and a walk, while White Sox 1B Munetaka Murakami finished 1 for 3 with a solo homer.
Pittsburgh has won 3 consecutive games, while going 8-2 across the past 10 outings. The Under is
5-1 in the past 6 games, and 12-3-1 in the past 16 contests, too. The Pirates have crept within 5 games of the final Wild Card spot in the National League with 16 regular-season games remaining.
The Bucs are an impressive 27-14 vs. AL teams. However, Pittsburgh faces LHP Hagen Smith on Thursday, and it is just 14-31 vs. LHP, the second-worst record in the majors against left-handed starting pitching.
Chicago is clinging to a 2-game lead over the Cleveland Guardians in the AL Central, but it has dropped 7 of the past 10 games. Still, it is 43-30 at home, and it has a plus-41 run differential. The White Sox have slipped to 18-23 in interleague play.
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Pirates at White Sox projected starters
RHP Jared Jones vs. LHP Hagen Smith
Jones (3-6, 4.46 ERA) makes his 18th start. He has a 1.23 WHIP, 3.2 BB/9, 10.5 K/9 in 78 2/3 innings.
- Last start: Win, 6 IP, 0 ER, 3 H, 1 BB, 9 K in 1-0 victory vs. Los Angeles Angels Friday
- 2026 road splits (8 starts): 2-3, 4.28 ERA (33 2/3 IP, 16 ER), 1.51 WHIP, 5 HR, 15 BB, 41 K
- Has never faced White Sox
Smith (3-1, 0.56 ERA) makes his first career MLB start (11th appearance). The rookie has a 0.94 WHIP, 5.6 BB/9, 12.9 K/9 in 16 innings.
- Last appearance: Win, 3 IP, 0 H, 0 BB, 4 K in 35-pitch relief appearance vs. Minnesota Twins Sunday
- 2026 home splits (7 relief appearances): 2-0, 0.00 ERA (13 IP, 0 ER), 0.85 WHIP, 8 BB, 20 K
- Has never faced Pirates
Pirates at White Sox odds
Provided by FanDuel Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 8:43 a.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): Pirates -108 (bet $108 to win $100) | White Sox -108 (bet $108 to win $100)
- Run line (RL)/Against the spread (ATS): Pirates -1.5 (+162) | White Sox +1.5 (-196)
- Over/Under (O/U): 7.5 (O: -122 | U: +100)
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Pirates at White Sox picks and predictions
Prediction
White Sox 4, Pirates 3
Moneyline
The WHITE SOX (-108) are worth a look as short dogs at home, as Chicago looks to salvage the series finale.
The ChiSox look to cool off the Pirates, but it takes a little bit of a leap of faith backing them with Smith making first-ever start. He has been nearly unhittable in relief, though, so take that chance.
Run line/Against the spread
If you can't back Chicago straight up, White Sox +1.5 (-196) will cost you nearly 2 times your potential return if you need a little bit of insurance. That's way too expensive. If you like Chicago, just play it straight.
PASS.
Over/Under
UNDER 7.5 (+100) is the lean, but roll with a half-unit play at best.
The Pirates are driving this Under train, with the total going low at a 5-1 clip in the past 6 games, while cashing in each of the past 4 starts by Jones.
The White Sox have cashed the Under in 7 of the past 11 outings, while going 5-3 in the past 8 interleague games.
Betting odds calculator
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This article originally appeared on Sportsbook Wire: Pittsburgh Pirates at Chicago White Sox odds, picks and predictions
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