MLB Baseball
2025-09-23 - Chicago White Sox at New York Yankees
A Sports Betting Pick by FirstDown
United States : MLB Baseball
Tuesday 23rd August 2025 - Scheduled 7:05pm
12:05am (British Time)
Preview
While they have not clinched a post-season spot, the New York Yankees (88-68) have a four game lead in the Wild Card standings and with six games to play. The team will be trying to cement the top spot in the Wild Card standings so they host the first Series in the Playoffs, but winning out may yet reap the reward of winning the American League East.
That would need the Toronto Blue Jays to falter, but the Yankees are only focusing on themselves and they do have the 'easier' schedule remaining. However, they need the Blue Jays to lose at least half of the remaining six games and would still need to win out to finish top of the Division and almost certainly secure the Number 1 Seed in the League.
No one associated with the Yankees wants to think too far ahead and they will be giving the ball to Luis Gil and looking for a bounce back effort from the starter. The pitcher does have a 4-1 record and 3.33 ERA in the nine starts made this season and Gil is set to be an important part of the starting rotation in the Playoffs, but he was knocked around last time out.
The Minnesota Twins were able to put up four earned runs against Luis Gil, who was not able to complete 5 Innings, which makes that outing the shortest of the season since his opening game. However, the Yankees batting lineup kept Luis Gil from factoring into the decision and he remains unbeaten in his last eight starts.
One of those came against the Chicago White Sox (58-98) when holding this team to two runs into the Sixth Inning, although Luis Gil did not factor into the decision on that day either.
Another poor season is coming to an end for the White Sox and the team have perhaps lost some focus, which is contributing to a run of eight losses in nine games. The batting lineup have really struggled in that run and that has put a lot of pressure on those stepping up to the mound.
Next up is rookie Shane Smith who has a 6-8 record and 4.06 ERA in twenty-seven starts made in 2025 and who may be concluding his season on Tuesday evening.
It has been an encouraging rookie season in the Major League, but there are some signs that Smith has been slowing down with a couple of rough outings in three starts made this month. Last time out he was knocked around for six runs in a little over 4 Innings thrown and Smith was saddled with the decision loss.
In September, Shane Smith has allowed ten runs in 15 Innings thrown.
He faced the New York Yankees at the end of August and Shane Smith did not factor in the decision, despite holding this team to two runs into the Seventh Inning.
The Yankees had beaten the Chicago White Sox five times in a row, including the first three games played this season, but that run was ended in the last game between the ball clubs.
Prediction
After hitting rock bottom in 2024, the Chicago White Sox fans know they are in for a slow rebuild.
Shane Smith has shown that he could be a key part of that in the years ahead, but a long rookie season is coming to a close and there have been one or two difficult moments in September.
He is going to have to deal with the hot hitting New York batting lineup in the Bronx and this could be a tougher effort than when Smith faced them at home at the end of August.
With Luis Gil expected to bounce back from his worst outing since the opening start, the New York Yankees can keep the pressure on the Toronto Blue Jays at the top of the American League East behind another solid win.
The Pick :
New York Yankees 5-2 Chicago White Sox
