The Chicago Cubs currently hold the edge in the all-time regular-season series against the Chicago White Sox. Per Bleed Cubbie Blue, the Cubs lead the long-running rivalry 79-77. This small margin makes the upcoming Tuesday, August 18, matchup even more intense for fans on both sides of the city.
The rivalry remains incredibly tight regardless of which side of Chicago you call home. The Cubs are 39-38 when playing at home against the South Side squad. They also hold a 40-39 record when traveling to face the White Sox. These numbers show just how much these two teams battle for local pride.
The Pitching Matchup for Tuesday
Kevin Gausman takes the mound for the Cubs on Tuesday night at 7:05 CT. He has two starts under his belt for Chicago so far this season. One outing against the Royals went well, but his start against the Nationals was not as good. The White Sox’s 121-loss season in 2024 remains the last time Gausman faced them.
The White Sox will counter with left-handed pitcher Bryan Hudson. Hudson acts as an opener for the team tonight. He previously played for the Brewers during a strong 2023 season under Craig Counsell. The Cubs will likely use him to face top hitters like Pete Crow-Armstrong and Michael Busch.
Erick Fedde is expected to take over as the bulk guy after Hudson finishes his work. This could be a tough night for the White Sox rotation because Busch hit a home run off Fedde on May 17. The Cubs will also look to Seiya Suzuki, who turns 32 today. Suzuki is currently 2-for-2 with a home run against Hudson.
Recent Trends and Scoring Streaks
The Cubs have been playing some high-stakes baseball lately. They are 33-25 against teams that held winning records before these games. Since June 11, the team has been part of a 39-19 surge, winning 15 of those 39 games. However, they have struggled in recent second games of series, losing two of their last three.
Run prevention is the biggest concern for the pitching staff right now. The Cubs have a 16-35 record when they allow five or more runs to an opponent. They are much more stable when the defense holds firm, going 57-18 when allowing four runs or fewer. This makes the Tuesday game a high-stakes test for Gausman and the bullpen.
Fans can catch all the action live on the Marquee Sports Network. The game is also available on TBS for a national audience. If you prefer the White Sox broadcast, tune into CHSN or WCIU-Ch. 26 to see the South Side’s perspective.
