Yankees vs. White Sox prediction and odds for Tuesday, Aug. 8 (Clarke Schmidt undervalued?)

The New York Yankees didn’t do themselves any favors in the American League Wild Card race on Monday night, losing their series opener to the lowly Chicago White Sox.

Now, New York is looking to bounce back – and move out of last place in the AL East – against the Southsiders on Tuesday.

Clark Schmidt (7-6, 4.35 ERA) gets the ball for New York in this game, and he’s been one of the team’s more reliable options in 2023. With Carlos Rodón back on the injured list and Domingo Germán (treatment for alcohol abuse) done for the season, the Yankees need Schmidt to step up even more if they want a chance to make the postseason. 

Since May 3, Schmidt has been a very solid pitcher, posting a 3.61 ERA, 4.00 Fielding Independent Pitching and leading the Yanks to a 9-8 record in 17 appearances. He’s allowed more than three runs in a start just once over that stretch. 

He takes on Chicago righty Touki Toussaint (1-4, 3.92 ERA) on Tuesday. Toussaint has worked out of the bullpen and as a starter in 2023. 

Here are the latest odds and a best bet for the Yankees-White Sox matchup tonight:  

Yankees vs. White Sox odds, run line and total

Yankees vs. White Sox prediction and pick

While Schmidt’s season-long numbers don’t make him look like a top-line starter, he’s been arguably the Yankees’ best option after Gerrit Cole – in terms of consistency – this season. 

The young righty doesn’t work deep into games (just two starts where he’s thrown six or more innings since the start of June), but he doesn’t necessarily need to. The Yankees have the No. 1 bullpen ERA (3.06) in baseball this season, so as long as Schmidt can hand it over the the ‘pen with only a few runs allowed, the Yankees are going to have a chance. 

New York’s offense has been dreadful in 2023, but it may find something against Toussaint, who has a 4.87 Fielding Independent Pitching and 1.31 WHIP this season. 

Plus, Chicago has one of the worst bullpens in baseball, posting a 4.55 ERA on the season. 

I’ll take my chances with the Yankees as road favorites on Tuesday night. 

Game odds refresh periodically and are subject to change.