By the time the trade deadline rolls around, the haves are separated from the have-nots. In the case of the Philadelphia Phillies and the Chicago White Sox, that has been decided for quite some time.
The Phillies come into this contest as certified contenders. Tied for third in odds to win the World Series, they’ve been a well-rounded club all year, one that should contend for the top spot in the National League playoff race. It’s expected that front office head Dave Dombrowski will bring in some reinforcements before Thursday’s deadline is up.
No help is coming for these White Sox. Tuesday’s loss dropped them to 39-69 on the year. They won’t be resetting last year’s record for futility, but it’s another dire season on the south side. Some players will be playing their final games in black and white on Wednesday before being traded to greener pastures.
The Phillies are -148 favorites on the moneyline on the road on DraftKings Sportsbook. The over/under is set at nine runs. Let’s dig into a Phillies-White Sox prediction and pick.
Phillies vs. White Sox prediction, pick
One of the names sure to be dealt by Thursday’s end is starting for the White Sox on Wednesday. Adrian Houser will make his final cameo for Chicago, and a last audition for new teams.
Houser, 32, is a neat comeback story. He hit free agency coming off a 5.84 ERA with the Mets in 2024, and was forced to settle for a minor-league deal with the White Sox. Houser broke into the rotation at the end of May and hasn’t looked back, recording a 2.10 ERA over 11 starts. He’s allowed one run or less in six of those turns. A groundball maestro who avoids barrels like the plague, Houser’s return at the deadline will be a good bit of business for Chicago.
Taijuan Walker is authoring a comeback story of his own for the Phillies, but one with considerably more money in his pocket. After signing a four-year, $72 million deal in 2023, Walker bottomed out with a 7.10 ERA across 19 games in 2024. He’s whittled that down to a 3.84 ERA this season to regain his spot in the rotation. It’s one less problem for Dombrowski to address at the deadline.
It’s a good matchup for Houser. His worm-killing style keeps the long ball out of reach for the likes of Kyle Schwarber and Bryce Harper. And Walker matches up well with this White Sox lineup because, well, everyone does. It should be a matinee pitching duel on the south side of Chicago.
