DraftKings has set an 85.5-game win total for the 2023 Chicago White Sox. The +2800 World Series favorite finished 2nd in the American League Central Division, but several quality offseason additions make exceeding 85.5 wins a reality for the White Sox in 2023.
The White Sox winning more than the DraftKings IL number is possible as Chicago has made several off-season moves to improve upon its 81-81 2022 campaign.
White Sox Sign Clevinger and Benintendi
Chicago signs free agents Mike Clevinger and Andrew Benintendi. The Cubs’ starting pitching ranked 15th in team ERA, and Chicago added former San Diego Padres hurler Steve Clevinger to a one-year, $12 million contract.
Clevinger was 7-7 with a 4.80 ERA over 22 starts with the Padres last season and allowed an earned run for every inning pitched over his last four starts with San Diego. Clevinger is expected to take former starter Vince Valesquez’s spot on the roster after the righty signed with the Pittsburgh Pirates.
The newly added Clevinger has struggled with injuries over the last couple of seasons but has a career record of 51-30 with a 3.39 ERA, and 694 strikeouts over 656.2 career innings pitched. Clevinger hopefully beefs up a rotation featuring Dylan Cease, Lance Lynn, Lucas Giolito, and Michael Kopech.
The White Sox needed speed and power in the lineup and signed former New York Yankees OF Andrew Benintendi to a five-year, $75 million contract. Benintendi had an injury-plagued season split between the Kansas City Royals and Yankees but stroked .304 with five bombs and 51 RBI over 122 games.
The White Sox batted .256/.310/.387/.698 with 149 bombs and 654 RBI last season. Leading hitter Jose Abreu has departed for the Houston Astros, but the White Sox return seven of their top eight hitters in their lineup, including OF Andrew Vaughn, 3B Yoan Mancado, and OF Luis Robert.
Solid Bullpen
The bullpen was a solid 8th in baseball, and they have a solid closer coming off a 37-save season in Liam Hendricks. The Chicago pen is more than adequate, with arms like Reynaldo Lopez, Kendall Graveman, Joe Kelly, and Aaron Bummer setting things up for Hendricks in 2023.
Can White Sox Win Over 85.5 Games?
The Chicago White Sox can and should win more than 85.5 (DraftKings -110) games.
Chicago should have won the AL Central last season, but the Cleveland Guardians overperformed, the White Sox performed poorly down the stretch, and Chicago missed the playoffs. The White Sox have one of the best starting rotations in the American League, and Clevinger will be the wild card. If the righty can return to his pre-2016 form and remain healthy, the White Sox will have a good season.
The White Sox scored 19th in baseball in runs, and Benintendi should help at the top of the order. Chicago will miss Abreu, but they have a solid nucleus of hitters that should score more than the 686 runs from a season ago with a bullpen that knows how to shut the door.
Can Chicago White Sox Win NL Central Division?
Yes, the Chicago White Sox, at +140 (DraftKings), is an excellent wager to win the AL Central Division.
The AL Central is a strong division, and with .10 separating the White Sox and Guardians, Chicago is an excellent bet to win the division. Cleveland saw tremendous rookie performances from several key players, and they may regress. Chicago has a strong starting rotation with a solid bullpen, and if the offense can plate some runs, the White Sox could win the division and is a good bet to do this in 2023.
Can Chicago White Sox win American League Pennant?
No, at +1300 (DraftKings), the White Sox won’t likely win the American League Pennant.
The White Sox are going to be very competitive. Still, there are several other American League teams, such as the New York Yankees, defending champion Houston Astros, and Toronto Blue Jays, not to mention division rival Cleveland in the mix. Too much would have to go right for Chicago to win the American League pennant.
Can the White Sox win the World Series?
No, at +2800 (DraftKings), the White Sox won’t likely win the 2023 World Series.
Of course, Chicago could fool all of us and win the 2023 World Series, but there are at least six American teams favored higher than the White Sox. Chicago should be an outstanding team that wins at least 90 games, but they’ll need better offensive production than what this roster will produce, and the White Sox won’t likely win the 2023 World Series.