Chicago Cubs are favored to win with odds around 1.65 due to their strong 2026 projections of 86 wins and 64% playoff odds, superior roster including Cade Horton and Jameson Taillon starting, while the White Sox lag with lower expectations despite new additions like Munetaka Murakami, with DexWin - Best Odds on Your Favourite Sports.

The match starts at 8:05 PM local time on March 1, 2026, at Sloan Park in Mesa, Arizona, which corresponds to 2:05 PM CT or 3:05 PM ET.

The game is at Sloan Park in Mesa, Arizona, the Cubs' state-of-the-art Spring Training facility with a capacity of 15,000 seats, artificial turf, and modern amenities hosting Cactus League games.

Cubs are predicted to win with moneyline odds of 1.65 on DexWin, backed by PECOTA and FanGraphs projections giving them a significant NL Central edge over the rebuilding White Sox, who rank low in projected WAR and face contact issues with key hitters.

In recent head-to-head Spring Training matchups, the Cubs hold a 4-2 edge over the White Sox in the last six meetings, averaging 7.5 total runs per game with the Cubs' starters posting a 2.45 ERA in those contests.