MLB Baseball
2026-07-10 - Athletics at Chicago White Sox
A Sports Betting Pick by FirstDown
United States : Major League Baseball
Friday 10th July 2026 - Scheduled 7:40pm EST
12:40am (British Time)
Preview
Three losses in a row have tightened things up at the top of the American League Central with the Chicago White Sox (47-45) sharing the lead with the Cleveland Guardians and both teams being just 2 games clear of the Minnesota Twins. Despite those setbacks, the White Sox fans have to still be feeling pretty positive about where they stand ahead of the All Star Break and especially after the performances in recent seasons.
There is still a lot of work for the White Sox to get through if they are going to earn a return to the Playoff, although that would be a big achievement for a team that wanted to be more competitive this season. Most anticipated the Chicago White Sox would be closer to the top of the Division, but not quite able to get over the line just yet as they continue building up the roster and so the next few months could feel like a bonus for management.
It is a Division loaded with serious contenders and an improving Detroit Tigers team looks a threat having just dismissed the Athletics (41-52) in a sweep at home. That same Athletics team will be crossing over to face the White Sox over the weekend and so there is pressure on the home team to at least secure a series win.
They will turn to Sean Burke in the opener and the pitcher has a 5-4 record and 3.56 ERA in eighteen appearances this season of which fourteen have been in starts. This is the third year in the Major League for Sean Burke and so some inconsistency has to be expected, but he has enjoyed a solid run over the last four appearances where Burke has finished with a 2-0 record and 1.80 ERA.
Only twice in the last nine appearances has Sean Burke allowed more than two runs and so there will be some confidence when heading onto the mound. He did get knocked around by the Athletics in this ballpark last season, but Sean Burke will note that was a start made fifteen months ago and he may feel much improved since then.
The Athletics will counter by handing the ball to Jacob Lopez who has a 4-3 record and 7.04 ERA in thirteen appearances this season- ten of those have been in starts. This is a team that has long given young pitchers an opportunity to fight through hardship and the Athletics are still trying to find a place for Lopez in the pitching unit.
Jacob Lopez came out of the bullpen and allowed four runs in 3 Innings thrown against the Detroit Tigers three days ago and so could be on something of an opener role on Friday. The last two starts have lasted just under 6 Innings combined and Jacob Lopez has given up eleven runs in that time.
This will be the first time Jacob Lopez has faced the Chicago White Sox.
The White Sox took two of three on the road earlier this season, but have dropped the last three against the Athletics at home, albeit in a series played in April 2025.
Prediction
The Chicago White Sox look to have an edge on the pitching mound and that can lay the foundation from which they can snap a three game losing run and retain leadership of the American League Central.
The Pick :
Chicago White Sox 6-3 Athletics
