The Chicago White Sox will head south to Minute Maid Park to face the Houston Astros. The first pitch is scheduled for 8:10 p.m. ET and NBC Sports Chicago will be airing this AL matchup.
Chicago White Sox at Houston Astros Odds
Houston (-260) is favored against Chicago (+230) and Vegas has set the Over/Under for this one at 7.5 runs. The odds for betting on the game’s total stand at +100 for the over and -120 for the under. Runline odds sit at +105 for taking the White Sox +1.5 runs and -125 for the Astros -1.5 runs.
The Astros are 57-31 straight up (SU) and 46-41 against the spread (ATS). The team’s gained 2.5 units for bettors taking the moneyline and 1.6 units (ATS). Houston has covered the spread just twice in its last seven games and the total has gone under in five of those seven. On the other hand, the White Sox have gone 30-56 SU this year and are 43-42 ATS. In total, the team’s lost 15.2 units for moneyline gamblers and 6.6 units ATS. Chicago has covered the spread four times in its last seven games and the over has hit in four of those seven.
Houston games have had an over/under record of 38-44-5 so far in 2018. Chicago has an over/under record of 38-42-5.
Carlos Rodon will get the nod for Chicago. The southpaw Rodon (1-3, 4.55 ERA) has recorded 22 punchouts in 29.2 innings so far. He has yet to face the Astros this year and only made one start against them in 2017 (0-0, 2.25 ERA and four strikeouts across eight innings).
The Astros are putting the ball in the right hand of Justin Verlander (9-4, 2.12 ERA, 0.86 WHIP), who has 144 strikeouts and 24 walks this season. Verlander is 1-0 with five strikeouts and a 0.00 ERA in one start against Chicago this year.
Houston’s pitchers have allowed 3.1 runs per game overall this season as a unit. The team’s starting pitching staff has an ERA of 2.99, a WHIP of 1.07 and a strikeouts-per-nine of 10.3. The bullpen has recorded a solid ERA of just 2.54, a WHIP of 1.03 and a K/9 of 10.8.
Houston’s hitters have put up 5.0 runs per contest, including 4.5 per game over its last 10 games and 3.2 per game over their last five. The team has hit .189/.265/.372 over its last five contests and is 2-3 SU during that stretch.
The Astros’ hitters have been led by second baseman Jose Altuve and third baseman Alex Bregman. Altuve is hitting .332/.396/.468 with seven home runs, 41 RBIs, 56 runs and 12 steals, while Bregman’s line is .279/.379/.512 with 16 homers, 54 RBIs, 53 runs and eight stolen bases.
In the visiting dugout, Chicago’s pitching staff allowed 5.3 runs per game and its starters own a 5.35 ERA, 1.46 WHIP and 6.24 K/9. The bullpen has an ERA of 4.02, along with a K-per-9 of 9.48.
White Sox hitters have slashed .245/.305/.404 on their way to 4.0 runs scored per game this year, including 6.1 runs per game over the team’s last 10 games and 6.6 per game over the team’s last five outings (2-3 SU).
First baseman Jose Abreu and third baseman Yolmer Sanchez continue to lead Chicago’s hitters. Abreu is hitting .265/.323/.463 with 12 home runs, 50 RBIs and 41 runs scored, while Sanchez (.257/.302/.411) is up to five homers, 39 RBIs, 31 runs and nine stolen bases.
The White Sox have lost 12.8 units and are 33-33 ATS when facing a righty starter this season. The over has cashed in 28 of those games, compared to 33 that’ve gone under in such games. On the other hand, the Astros have lost 8.4 units and are 15-17 ATS when facing a lefty starter. The over has cashed in 14 of those games, compared to 17 that went under.
Chicago White Sox at Houston Astros Free Prediction
Predictions: SU Winner – Astros, ATS Winner – White Sox, O/U – OVER
Betting Trends
- The under has cashed in three of Chicago’s last seven games.
- Houston has posted 20.3 Runs + Hits + Errors per game over its last 10 contests and 15.6 over its last five.
- The White Sox have hit 15 home runs in their last 10 games, including nine over their last five.
