Chicago Cubs vs Chicago White Sox Prediction, 5/16/2026 MLB Picks, Best Bets & Odds

Game: Chicago Cubs vs Chicago White Sox

Date: Saturday, May 16, 2026

Location: Rate Field in Chicago, IL

TV: Chicago Sports Network

Odds/Point Spread: Chicago (-196) Chicago (+162)

The Chicago Cubs (28-16) are traveling to Rate Field on Saturday where they will take on the Chicago White Sox (22-21). The line on this contest has the Cubs at -196 while the White Sox are sitting at +162. The total is set at 8.5. The expected starting pitchers will be Jameson Taillon and Davis Martin.

The Cubs have tallied 65 two-baggers as a unit and have knocked 53 baseballs out of the park. Chicago has a slugging % of .403 and have struck out 357 times, while taking a walk on 204 occasions. As a unit, the Chicago Cubs are putting up 5.0 runs per game, which is 5th in baseball. They have earned 203 RBI's as well as 363 hits on the season, while their average at the plate comes in at .244. They have accounted for 220 runs scored while holding a team on-base percentage of .340.

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They have a strikeout to walk ratio of 2.74 and the pitching staff holds a WHIP of 1.19. Cubs pitchers have relinquished 54 home runs and 177 runs (9th in baseball). Chicago has surrendered 333 base hits (7.7 per 9 innings) and also 164 earned runs. The Cubs have an earned run average of 3.77 on the year (10th in MLB), and the staff has struck out 362 batters. Their pitching staff has walked 132 opposing hitters and their FIP is 4.16 as a team for the season.

The Cubs relievers have earned a save percentage of 62.5% and have entered the game in 30 save situations. They have tallied 10 saves on the year and have not converted 6 out of their 16 save opportunities. The bullpen pitchers have inherited 62 runners this year with 30.6% of those runners crossing the plate. Cubs bullpen pitchers have stepped onto the hill with opponents on base 44 times as well as having 44 appearances in high leverage situations. The Cubs have dispatched 130 relievers to the mound so far this season. The relief pitchers are sitting with 11 holds this season (30th in the league).

The Cubs have turned 72.3% of balls hit into play into outs in their 3,519 innings on the diamond, which has them sitting 4th in baseball. The Chicago Cubs have notched a total of 1,173 putouts this season, in addition to 405 assists and 20 errors. Their fielding rate is holding at .987 which ranks 13th in MLB, and have accumulated 32 double plays.

Taillon (84-62 mark in his career) has a FIP of 3.82 and he has faced 5,314 hitters during his time in the major leagues. He has conceded 1,218 base knocks (8.5 hits per 9 innings) and has 310 walks. His ERA is 3.87 (552 earned runs allowed) and his career WHIP is 1.192. Taillon has taken the ball for 1,282 innings and has totaled 1,113 K's during his career.

Chicago has tallied 56 long balls on the campaign to go along with 179 runs batted in. They have put up 50 doubles, while walking 167 times as well as scoring 189 runs. The Chicago White Sox have recorded an OBP of .324 in addition to a batting average of .233 on the season. The White Sox hold a slugging % of .397 and they average 4.40 runs per game (13th in MLB). They have been called out on strikes on 400 occasions (6th in baseball) and have earned a total of 329 base knocks.

The White Sox have a team WHIP of 1.354 and have a FIP of 4.40 as a unit for the year. Their K/BB ratio comes in at 8.10 (342 strikeouts vs 175 free passes). They are currently ranked 11th in baseball as a pitching staff in total hits conceded with 341. They have allowed 45 dingers and they surrender 4.65 runs per 9 innings (20th in baseball). The Chicago pitching staff have allowed 197 runs for the year and come in with a team ERA of 4.23 (179 earned runs yielded).

They sit at 21st in baseball with a save rate of 60.0%, and they have dispatched 150 relievers onto the field over the course of the season. Their bullpen pitchers have come in 44 times in high leverage situations and on 50 occasions with runners on base. With 41 save situations, the White Sox have 16 holds and 10 blown saves. Chicago has called on relievers to step onto the mound in 25 save opportunities and they have recorded 15 saves. Chicago relievers have an inherited score rate of 31.1% of 74 inherited base runners.

The Chicago White Sox have turned 33 double plays and have a fielding rate of .987 (17th in MLB). The White Sox have racked up 395 assists, 21 errors and have a tally of 1,145 putouts during this campaign. In their 3,435 innings played, the White Sox have accumulated a defensive efficiency of 70.9% (10th in MLB).

Martin (15-22 career mark) is the owner of a 3.88 earned run average and has surrendered 8.5 hits per 9 innings. He has a K/BB ratio of 2.51 and he has faced 1,282 batters thus far in his career. He has given up 132 earned runs while earning a WHIP of 1.271 and a FIP of 3.8. During his career, Martin has allowed 289 base knocks while he has totaled 251 K's in 306 frames.

Who will win tonight's MLB game against the spread or moneyline?

Josh Schonwald's Pick: Take Chicago (-196)

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