After stealing the opening tilt of this four-game set on Thursday with a walk-off home run in the ninth, the Guardians once again find themselves sitting in a tie with the White Sox atop the AL Central.

It might only be July, but don’t be fooled. This is a massive series with hugely important playoff implications.

Can Cleveland take a second in a row? Or will Chicago bounce-back on Friday? Let’s preview this divisional clash and make a couple picks on the DraftKings Sportsbook.

More MLB Content & Betting Picks

White Sox vs. Guardians prediction, preview

To me, Gavin Williams is one of the most frustrating starting pitchers in the sport. If you watch the hulking right-hander throw for even just an inning, you’ll wonder why he isn’t a perpetual All-Star. That’s how good the stuff can look at any given moment. However, the results and consistency always leave you wanting more. 2026 has been a perfect example. On the one hand, Williams owns a respectable 3.81 ERA and a career-high 28.3% strikeout rate. On the other, Williams’ xERA is a less appealing 4.54 and his 12.2% opponent barrel rate sits in the fifth percentile of the league. Make it make sense. Coming into Friday, Williams hasn’t been in the best form, either. The former 23rd-overall pick posted a 6.04 ERA across his five starts in June, surrendering 2.13 opponent home runs per nine and never once pitching out of the sixth inning. Not ideal.

That said, it’s not like Anthony Kay has been all that much better. The former NPB star has had his moments this season — including tossing six scoreless innings against the Guardians back on June 22 — but for the most part, Kay’s struggled back in North America. Over 17 appearances and 80.0 innings, Kay sports a 12th percentile xERA (5.40) and just a 19th percentile strikeout rate (17.7%). Kay’s also been particularly poor on the road, registering a 6.40 ERA and 6.55 FIP within the split. The LHP’s one redeeming quality has been his ability to neutralize opposing left-handed bats, which is actually a skill that should come in handy versus Cleveland. Between Travis Bazzana, Chase DeLauter and Steven Kwan, the Guardians have a lot of everyday LHBs. In fact, the team ranks fifth in left-on-left plate appearances in 2026 (435).

That inflexibility is part of the reason why the Guardians are once again having issues with run production. Obviously an injury to Jose Ramirez (wrist) also isn’t helping too much in that regard. Over the past 30 days, Cleveland is hitting just .219 as a club — the worst mark in the American League. The Guardians’ .282 expected wOBA and 81 wRC+ are the lowest figures in the AL in that span, as well. A team that willingly traded real assets this season for Patrick Bailey is floundering offensively? I can’t believe it. I’m truly shocked.

White Sox vs. Guardians pick, best bet

Best Bet: Under 8.5 (-128)

The thought process here is two-fold. First and foremost, the Guardians have been the worst-hitting team in the AL for the past month by average (.219), expected wOBA (.282) and wRC+ (81). Secondly, I’ll bank on the upside of Gavin Williams, whose best start in June did come against the White Sox, when he allowed two earned runs and struck out eight over five frames.

Strong Lean: NRFI (-140)

It’s the under — but quicker! The left-handed Anthony Kay should have the advantage early on, with so many LHBs at the top of Cleveland’s lineup. Meanwhile, Williams sports a 2.74 ERA and a 3.19 FIP when pitching at home in 2026.

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (WGGB/WSHM) – Before 9 a.m. on Saturday, July 4th, firefighters at the Springfield Fire Department responded to a call for a fire at a multi-family home at 479 Central Street in Springfield.

When crews arrived, they had noticed flames shooting from the windows of the home. When crews began their attack of the fire, they had also spotted a teenager and an infant trapped inside the home, both of them were rescued safely.

The fire was quickly put out and without any injuries. 8 people were displaced as a result of the fire and are currently being assisted by the Springfield American Red Cross.

The cause of the fire remains under investigation by the Springfield Arson and Bomb Squad.

As many are celebrating America’s 250th birthday, a threat of severe weather looms, as watches and warnings have been issued for most Illinois and northwest Indiana counties for Saturday.

A Severe Thunderstorm Warning is in effect for Kane and Kendall counties in Illinois until 3:45 p.m.

A Severe Thunderstorm Watch has been issued for DuPage, Kane, Kankakee, Grundy, Kendall, and Will counties in Illinois and for Porter, Newton, Jasper, and Lake counties in Indiana until 7 p.m.

A Flash Flood Watch is in effect for Central Cook, De Kalb, DuPage, Eastern Will, Grundy, Kane, Kendall, La Salle, Northern Cook, Northern Will, Southern Cook, and Southern Will in Illinois and Lake in Indiana until 10 p.m.

A Flash Flood Warning is in effect for De Kalb, La Salle, and Lee counties in Illinois until 5 p.m.

Storm Prediction Center has areas along and south of I-80 at a Level 1 (out of 5) for severe chances. Strong-to-severe storms are expected around 2 p.m. and sunset. Frequent lightning, damaging winds and torrential downpours may accompany the strongest storms.

Be sure to stick with CBS News Chicago and the First Alert Weather team for the latest.