Yankees vs. White Sox Field of Dreams Thursday MLB game, probable pitchers, odds, pick: Park dimensions in Iowa corn field would appear to favor hitters

Major League Baseball has been planning a Field of Dreams game in Dyersville, Iowa, for a few years – the game was canceled last year – and it finally will happen on Thursday night as the New York Yankees visit the Chicago White Sox with Fox having the national TV broadcast. The dimensions of the specifically-built field adjacent to the iconic "Field of Dreams" movie site would appear to favor the hitters, as would the very warm weather. The Sox are -160 favorites on the Caesars Sportsbook MLB odds with a total of 9.5 for the first-ever MLB game in Iowa. It's expected to be one of the most-wagered MLB games of the season. 

The White Sox will serve as the home team as the "Field of Dreams" movie essentially revolved around that franchise – both teams will wear uniforms reminiscent of the early 20th century. While MLB hasn't said so yet, expect this game to become an annual tradition – rumors are the Cubs will play in the 2022 game against an opponent TBA. Tickets on the secondary market for this one are the highest priced of any regular-season game ever.

MLB constructed the ballpark to seat 8,000 fans for this occasion and the park itself will stay but the stands will apparently be removed. The dimensions are 335 feet down both lines, 380 feet in the alleys and 400 feet to center. That's basically identical to the White Sox's Guaranteed Rate Field, which is definitely a hitters' park. On ESPN's Park Factor ratings, Guaranteed Rate Field ranks as the ninth-most homer-happy in the majors.

In a nod to old Comiskey Park, the bullpens are located behind the 12-foot-high padded wall in center field. Actually, the entire field is reminiscent of Comiskey Park, where the Pale Hose played from 1910-1990. Yes, there is plenty of corn surrounding the field (about 159 acres, with stalks as tall as 12 feet) and a manual scoreboard will be in the corn field behind the right field fence. Dyersville is about 200 miles from Chicago, although a majority of baseball fans in Iowa root for the Cubs, who have a Triple-A team in Peoria.

The White Sox will not have Manager Tony La Russa for this game. The funeral of his sister's husband is Thursday in Florida and he will attend that. Bench coach Miguel Cairo will fill in as manager.

Chicago was to start one Cy Young contender in Carlos Rodon (+350 to win it at Caesars) but will now start the -170 betting favorite in Lance Lynn (10-3, 2.04). He was to pitch Wednesday at Minnesota but when Rodon landed on the IL, the White Sox decided to give Lynn the honor of pitching in this one. That 2.04 ERA leads the American League as does his .200 opponents' batting average among starters. Lynn is 3-0 with a 1.85 ERA in his past seven starts but hasn't faced the Yankees since 2019 while with Texas.

It's lefty Andrew Heaney (7-8, 5.45) for the Yankees. He is 1-1 with a 7.20 ERA in two starts since being acquired from the Angels. His season debut with the Halos was April 2 vs. the White Sox and he allowed seven runs in three innings in a loss.

Chicago should have all its key everyday players in the lineup after Tim Anderson, Yoan Moncada and Luis Robert were all given Wednesday off. The Yanks are without Anthony Rizzo, Gary Sanchez, Gio Urshela, Gleyber Torres and closer Aroldis Chapman, all either on the injured or COVID list. Both these teams are off Friday before continuing this three-game set Saturday at Guaranteed Rate Field. 

This writer is backing the White Sox. 

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