Mets vs. White Sox: What to Know Before Saturday's Game

The New York Mets are heading to Chicago to face the White Sox on Saturday, August 22, at 7:10 p.m. Eastern Time. The game will be played at Rate Field, the home of the Chicago White Sox. Fans can watch on TV channels CHSN and SNY, or stream the game live on Fubo. This matchup features two teams with very different records, making it an interesting one to follow.

The Chicago White Sox are having a strong season so far. They hold a record of 67 wins and 61 losses and currently sit in first place in the American League Central division. Their starter is Luis Castillo, who has a 4-9 record and a 4.99 ERA this season. An ERA, or earned run average, shows how many runs a pitcher gives up on average per nine innings — a lower number is better.

The New York Mets are struggling this year with a record of 58 wins and 71 losses, placing them fifth in the National League East. Christian Scott is set to start on the mound for the Mets and has been solid, posting a 4-3 record and a 3.51 ERA. He has been one of the brighter spots in a difficult Mets season. Scott will need to be at his best to slow down Chicago's powerful lineup.

Both teams are dealing with injuries heading into this game. The White Sox are missing several players, including catcher Joey Bart with a hand injury and pitcher Drew Thorpe with an elbow problem. The Mets are also short-handed, with stars like Juan Soto out with a calf injury and Jorge Polanco sidelined by an ankle issue. Injuries can change the outcome of a game, so both managers will need to work around their missing players.

When it comes to betting odds, the White Sox are listed as the slight favorite at -115, while the Mets are at -105. This makes the matchup very close on paper, and either team could come out on top. The combined run total is set at 8.5, meaning experts expect a moderate-scoring game. Odds are simply a way of showing which team is thought to have a better chance of winning.

For the White Sox, Miguel Vargas has been a standout hitter this season with 29 home runs and 12 stolen bases in 14 attempts. Munetaka Murakami has also hit 29 home runs and draws walks at a high rate, showing great patience at the plate. These two powerful hitters will be a big challenge for the Mets pitching staff. If Chicago's bats stay hot, it could be a long night for New York.

On the Mets' side, Bo Bichette has been steady all year, hitting .266 with 13 home runs and 65 RBIs. Carson Benge adds both speed and power with 15 home runs and 18 stolen bases this season. Together, these two give the Mets a fighting chance against the first-place White Sox. Baseball is full of surprises, and Saturday night's game could go either way.