The Chicago White Sox head south to Truist Park to open a three-game interleague series against the Atlanta Braves on Monday, August 18, 2025. First pitch is set for 7:20 PM ET in what looks like a lopsided matchup on paper, with Atlanta battling for playoff seeding and the White Sox buried at the bottom of the AL Central.
Team Analysis
Chicago White Sox
It’s been another tough season for Chicago, and the struggles are evident across the board. The White Sox rank near the bottom of the American League in team batting average and OPS, with inconsistent production from their middle of the order. Luis Robert Jr. remains their most dangerous bat, but he’s lacked consistent protection, leaving Chicago vulnerable to strikeout-heavy outings.
Pitching hasn’t been much better. The rotation ERA is one of the highest in the AL, and the bullpen has blown more late-game opportunities than they’ve secured. Entering this series, the White Sox are on a stretch where their starting staff has given up nearly five runs per outing, making it hard for the offense to keep pace.
Atlanta Braves
The Braves, meanwhile, continue to look like a powerhouse despite battling some injuries earlier this season. Their offense is explosive, led by Ronald Acuña Jr., Austin Riley, and Matt Olson. Atlanta ranks among the top NL teams in runs per game, home runs, and OPS, and they’ve been especially dangerous at home in Truist Park.
On the mound, the Braves’ pitching staff has been steady. Their top arms keep them competitive, and the bullpen has been one of the better units in the National League, locking down late-inning leads with consistency. Atlanta has won six of its last eight games entering this series, giving them momentum and confidence against a struggling Chicago squad.
Matchup Outlook
The Braves hold clear advantages in nearly every category—offense, starting pitching depth, bullpen, and defense. Chicago will need an excellent outing from their starter to keep this competitive, but with how Atlanta punishes mistakes, even that might not be enough.
Expect the Braves to apply pressure early with their power bats, while Chicago will be left trying to scrape together runs against a tough pitching staff.
Best Bets
- Pick: Atlanta Braves ML – The talent gap here is massive, and the Braves should handle business at home.
- Total: Over 9 Runs – With Chicago’s shaky pitching staff and Atlanta’s deep lineup, runs should come in bunches.
- Player Prop: Ronald Acuña Jr. to Record 2+ Total Bases – He’s been locked in at the plate and should thrive against White Sox pitching.