The Chicago White Sox will be taking on the Houston Astros at Minute Maid Park. This AL matchup will get underway at 4:10 p.m. ET and fans can tune in to WGN to catch the game.
Chicago White Sox vs. Houston Astros Odds
Houston (-300) is hosting this one as the favorite over Chicago (+250) and oddsmakers have the Over/Under for this one at 8.5 runs (+105 for the over and -125 for the under). The games runline odds stand at +120 for picking the White Sox +1.5 runs and -140 for the Astros -1.5.
The Astros are 59-31 straight up (SU) and 46-43 against the spread (ATS). They’ve gained 4.5 units for bettors taking the moneyline while earning 1.2 units (ATS). On the other hand, the White Sox are 30-58 SU and have gone 44-43 ATS. Overall, the teams lost 17.1 units for moneyline gamblers and 6.7 units ATS.
Astros games have had an over/under record of 38-46-5 so far in 2018. White Sox games have gone under 43 times, gone over 39 times and pushed on five occasions.
James Shields is getting the start for the visiting White Sox. The right-handed Shields (3-9, 4.12 ERA) has recorded 76 strikeouts in 113.2 innings so far. He’s 0-1 with four strikeouts and an 11.81 ERA against Houston this year.
The Astros are handing the ball to righty Charlie Morton (10-2, 2.55 ERA), who has 133 strikeouts and 41 walks to his name, as well as a 1.11 WHIP. Morton has yet to face the White Sox this year and did not record a start against them in 2017.
As a unit, Houston’s pitchers have allowed 3.1 runs per game overall in 2018. Its starters have a 2.96 ERA, 1.06 WHIP and 10.4 strikeouts per nine innings. The bullpen has posted a solid ERA of just 2.64, a WHIP of 1.03 and a K/9 of 10.7.
The Houston hitters have put up 5.1 runs per contest, including 4.6 per game over its last 10 games and 5.4 per game over their last five. The team has hit .263/.379/.449 over its last five games and is 4-1 SU during that span.
The Astros offense has been led by second baseman Jose Altuve and third baseman Alex Bregman. Altuve is hitting .337/.404/.479 with eight home runs, 43 RBIs, 59 runs and 12 stolen bases, and Bregman’s line sits at .279/.382/.510 with 16 homers, 55 RBIs, 56 runs and eight steals.
In the other dugout, Chicago’s pitching staff allowed 5.3 runs per game and its starters own a 5.32 ERA, 1.48 WHIP and 6.25 K/9. The bullpen has an ERA of 4.21, along with a WHIP of 1.48 and a K/9 of 9.45.
White Sox hitters have slashed .243/.304/.403 on their way to 4.0 runs scored per game in 2018, including 5.0 runs per game over the teams last 10 games and 5.2 per game over the teams last five outings (1-4 SU).
First baseman Jose Abreu and third baseman Yolmer Sanchez have led Chicago’s offense. Abreu is hitting .262/.319/.455 with 12 home runs, 50 RBIs and 41 runs scored. Sanchez (.258/.304/.411) is up to five homers, 41 RBIs, 32 runs and nine stolen bases.
The White Sox have lost 14.8 units and are 34-34 ATS when facing a right-handed starting pitcher this season. The over has hit in 29 of those games, as opposed to 34 that’ve hit the under in such games. On the other hand, the Astros have netted 10.9 units and are 31-24 ATS when facing a right-handed starting pitcher. The over has hit in 24 of those games, compared to 27 which went under the total.
Chicago White Sox at Houston Astros Pick
Predictions: SU Winner – Astros, ATS Winner – White Sox, O/U – OVER
Betting Trends
- The under has hit in only two of Chicago’s last seven games.
- The White Sox have lost four of their last five games SU.
- Chicago fielders have 10 errors over the last 10 games, compared to five errors for Houston over its last 10.
- Each team has hit 15 home runs over its last 10 games.
