For the first time in a few years, the Chicago Cubs are dominating over the Chicago White Sox. The Sox had enjoyed a favorable run over their inner-city rivals for the better part of four years, but the Cubs have found their stride this season as they sit well above .500 heading into the All Star break. The White Sox went 16-8 against the Cubs in a four-year span, but since then Chicago has won five of eight meetings. With the White Sox sitting as the third worst team in the American League, they are in need of a win.
The Cubs currently sit with a 46-38 record as hope in their season continues to rise. The Cubs have not reached the All-Star above .500 since 2008 and they will break that drought this year. They will send Kyle Hendricks to the mound to keep momentum moving as he is 4-4 with a 3.82 ERA on the season. He has hit a rough patch in his last five starters, going just 1-3 with a 5.88 ERA. He has given up at least eight hits in his last two games over the Mets and Marlins.
He will face a White Sox team slowly figuring out how to hit their stride after being one of the worst teams in the start of the year. Melky Cabrera is not hitting .568 over his last 20 games. Alexei Ramirez is now 10 for 28 in his last nine games. Jose Abreu is on an 11-game hit streak. The White Sox are gaining confidence and a solid series against the Cubs could be the momentum shifted they need.
Carlos Rodon will take the mound for the White Sox with a 3-2 record and a 4.18 ERA. He too has struggled recently with a 7.32 ERA in his last four starts. He has been giving up a lot of home runs, three in his last two games, while allowing four runs in five innings in his most recent start. He will face Chris Coghlan who is batting .387 while Anthony Rizzo has four home runs in his last five games.
