White Sox vs Orioles: Fighting to Avoid the Sweep on the South Side
The Chicago White Sox (57-95) face a familiar scenario Wednesday afternoon – trying to salvage something from another series on the brink. With the Baltimore Orioles (71-80) favored at -123 to complete the three-game sweep, the White Sox find themselves as +103 underdogs looking for any sign of life in what’s been a brutal season.
Game Information
Date: Wednesday, September 17, 2025
Time: 2:10 p.m. ET / 1:10 p.m. CT
Location: Guaranteed Rate Field, Chicago
TV Coverage: Chicago Sports Network (CHSN), MASN2
Betting Line: Orioles -123, White Sox +103
Run Total: 8.5 runs
Spread: Orioles -1.5
Pitching Matchup: Wells vs Perez
Tyler Wells Takes the Hill for Baltimore
The Orioles send Tyler Wells to the mound for just his third start of the season. At 1-0, Wells represents the kind of fresh arm that could cause problems for a White Sox lineup that’s struggled all year. His limited exposure this season makes him somewhat of a wild card.
Martin Perez Gets Another Chance
Martin Perez draws the assignment for Chicago, carrying a 1-5 record in what will be his 10th start. The veteran left-hander has had his struggles, but in a season like this, every start is an opportunity to show something positive before the year ends.
White Sox Offense: Searching for Consistency
Lenyn Sosa Leads the Way
In a season filled with disappointment, Lenyn Sosa has been one of the few bright spots. Leading the team with a .262 batting average, 20 home runs, and 70 RBIs, Sosa has emerged as a legitimate building block for the future. His development has been one of the season’s few positives.
Limited Supporting Cast
Andrew Benintendi matches Sosa’s 20 home run total, while Miguel Vargas contributes with 14 homers despite a .229 average. Chase Meidroth provides some contact hitting at .270, but the overall numbers tell the story of an offense that ranks 26th in baseball with just 608 runs scored.
The White Sox average 4.0 runs per game with a team batting average of .233 (27th in MLB). Their 153 home runs rank 22nd, highlighting the lack of power throughout the lineup.
Orioles Offense: Modest but Effective
Gunnar Henderson Anchors Baltimore
Gunnar Henderson leads the Orioles with 64 RBIs and a team-best .272 batting average. His consistent production has been crucial for Baltimore’s season. Jackson Holliday provides power with 17 home runs and 55 RBIs while slugging .394.
Jordan Westburg (.273/.327/.469) and Colton Cowser round out Baltimore’s key contributors. While not spectacular, the Orioles’ 4.3 runs per game and .239 team average represent clear advantages over Chicago’s struggling offense.
Pitching Staff Comparison
Baltimore’s Pitching Concerns
The Orioles enter with significant pitching questions. Their 4.62 ERA ranks 24th in baseball, and they’ve struggled to find consistency throughout their rotation. However, their 8.4 strikeouts per nine innings (16th in MLB) suggest they can generate whiffs when needed.
White Sox Pitching: Relative Strength
Surprisingly, Chicago’s pitching has been more respectable than their offense. With a 4.25 ERA (20th in MLB), the White Sox staff has kept them in more games than expected. Their 8.0 strikeouts per nine innings ranks 22nd, showing they can compete on the mound.
Key Betting Trends and Analysis
The White Sox have actually performed decently as underdogs, winning 56 of 149 games (37.6%) in that role. While not spectacular, it’s better than their overall record suggests.
Baltimore has struggled as favorites, winning just 32 of 65 games (49.2%) when favored. This trend, combined with their recent inconsistency, makes them a questionable betting favorite.
The over/under sits at 8.5 runs. Both teams have gone over roughly 40-45% of the time this season, suggesting the under might offer value given the pitching matchup.
Injury Impact
White Sox: Luis Robert (hamstring) remains on the IL, continuing to rob Chicago of their most dynamic player. Bryan Hudson, Owen White, and several others remain sidelined.
Orioles: Adley Rutschman’s absence (oblique) hurts Baltimore’s offensive consistency. Long-term injuries to Felix Bautista, Zach Eflin, and Grayson Rodriguez have depleted their pitching depth.
What to Watch For
This game represents more than just avoiding a sweep for the White Sox. With 95 losses already, every win matters in terms of organizational morale and player development. Sosa’s continued growth and Perez’s ability to provide quality innings could set the tone for the remaining games.
For Baltimore, completing the sweep keeps them in conversation for respectability in what’s been a disappointing season following their playoff appearance last year.
Game Prediction
Final Score: White Sox 6, Orioles 4
Total: Over 8.5 runs
Sometimes a team playing with nothing to lose can surprise you. The White Sox have shown flashes throughout this difficult season, and playing at home with a chance to avoid the sweep could provide the motivation needed.
Wells’ limited starts this season create uncertainty, while the White Sox lineup – led by Sosa – has enough talent to put up runs against Baltimore’s shaky pitching staff.
In a season that’s offered few highlights, stealing a game from a superior opponent would qualify as a minor victory worth celebrating on the South Side.
The post White Sox vs. Orioles Game Prediction Today September 17 appeared first on UrbanMatter.
