Bryan Armetta offers up a preview, prediction and pick for Tuesday’s MLB game between the Chicago White Sox and New York Yankees.
Seeing the Yankees (43-27) atop the AL East doesn’t come as much of a surprise. New York has been a perennial contender for the past decade, and looks capable of reaching the World Series. With that being said, the White Sox (38-32) might be the story of the 2026 MLB season. A Chicago fan base that’s suffered through horrible squads in recent years has rallied around a competitive, energetic group of youngsters. Now, the South Siders have a chance to make a statement tonight during a potential postseason preview.
The Yankees are favorites (-149) over the White Sox, with the over/under set at eight runs. Below, I’ve laid out my preview, prediction, and best bet for Tuesday’s showdown between Chicago and New York on DraftKings Sportsbook.
If the White Sox are going to earn a win this series, tonight feels like their best shot. That’s due to the presence of Davis Martin, one of the American League’s top hurlers. Through 78.1 innings this season (13 starts), the 29-year-old has notched a 2.41 ERA, 1.10 WHIP and 79 strikeouts (9.1 K/9). Where the right-hander truly excels is at limiting the long ball; he leads the majors with a 0.3 HR/9 ratio. Martin also possesses exceptional control, ranking inside the 91st percentile in walk rate (5.4%). However, teams can do damage whenever they happen to make contact. A 46.5% hard-hit rate is only within the ninth percentile among qualified pitchers this season.
Even without Aaron Judge (ribs), New York’s lineup possesses plenty of firepower. The team is sixth in runs scored (358), first in home runs (102) and second in OPS (.763). However, the Bombers also strike out at the eighth-highest rate in baseball. This hasn’t been a great spot for Martin in years past. Over three meetings with the Yankees, he’s on the hook for a 4.61 ERA and 1.61 WHIP. In addition, he’s been far more effective at home (1.01 ERA) than on the road (3.59 ERA).
Chicago’s ace features a five-pitch mix to keep batters off balance. His two favorite offerings are the four-seam fastball (26%) and the sinker (17%). His velocity typically tops out at just around 94 MPH. Against pitches at that speed or slower, Yankees batters have posted a .257/.369/.450 slash line this season.
On the other side, it’ll be Gerrit Cole toeing the slab for New York. All things considered, it’s been a stellar comeback for the six-time All-Star. Since making his season debut in May, Cole has produced a 2.45 ERA, 1.05 WHIP and 18 strikeouts (7.4 K/9). What the veteran has lost in swing-and-miss ability, he’s made up for with terrific control (2.5 BB/9). The former Cy Young winner has allowed more than two earned runs only once over four outings so far. He’s also done an exceptional job at inducing soft contact. Cole’s 30.2% hard-hit and 4.8% barrel rates sit within the top 83rd percentile in the sport.
That’s not ideal for the White Sox, a club that loves launching baseballs. Their 96 home runs are second in the American League, behind the Yankees. The South Siders are without their top slugger, Munetaka Murakami (hamstring). Still, that doesn’t mean Cole should take this lineup lightly. Among players on the active roster with at least 150 plate appearances, five have a wRC+ above 100. Chicago has scored 52 runs over its previous ten matchups, tenth-most in baseball during that stretch. To boot, the White Sox are averaging the ninth-most runs per game on the road (4.65).
The White Sox are elite when it comes to hitting southpaws; their .775 OPS against left-handed pitching is third-best in baseball. However, their .723 OPS vs. righties is only good enough for 17th in the league. Cole has done a great job at limiting big hits this season. That should come in handy against a homer-happy Chicago lineup. In comparison, Martin’s tendency to allow hard contact has proven costly against New York in the past. At home, the Yankees are in a nice spot tonight.
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