Houston Astros vs. Chicago White Sox Predictions, Odds, Preview

VegasInsider Staff Sports Betting Expert

5 minute read

October 10, 2021

Jonathan Willis
MLB Expert
VegasInsider.com

Game 3 of the ALDS sees the Chicago White Sox host the Houston Astros after losing Game 2 and now down 0-2 in the series. Opening pitch is set for 8:07 p.m. ET and will air on FS1 from Guaranteed Rate Field in Chicago, Illinois.

Houston Astros vs. Chicago White Sox Game 3 Predictions

The Houston Astros are in an enviable position. Houston won its first two games against the Chicago White Sox at home, and now the Astros have three chances to close out their foes and move on to the American League Championship Series.

This franchise was the laughingstock of baseball in the early 2010s, losing at least 105 games in three straight seasons. Now, the Astros have the opportunity to make the ALCS for the fifth straight year with one more win over the South Siders.

Chicago has no room for error at this point. The White Sox were jumped on early in Game 1, and they blew a two-run lead in the fifth inning on Friday afternoon. They should be able to pull at least one game back in this series, as their lineup is nearly as good as the Astros.

Score Prediction: White Sox 6, Astros 3

Best Bet: White Sox ML

Best Bet: Over

Houston Astros vs. Chicago White Sox Game 3 Betting Odds

Game odds provided by DraftKings - subject to change

• Astros +105
• White Sox -125
• Astros -1.5 +160
• White Sox +1.5 -190
• Over 8.5 +100
• Under 8.5 -120

The Houston Astros have led after three innings in four straight games when facing the AL Central. (AP)

Houston Astros vs. Chicago White Sox Game 3 Betting Resources

• Matchup: AL West vs. AL Central
• Date: Sunday, October 10, 2021
• Venue: Guaranteed Rate Field
• Location: Chicago, Illinois
• TV-Time: FS1 - 8:07 p.m. ET

• Weather Report
• Injury Report

Inside the Stats - Houston Astros

• Record: 97-67
• Run Line: 79-85
• O/U: 87-69-8
• Runs: 863 (1st)
• Batting Average: .267 (1st)
• On Base Percentage: .339 (1st)
• ERA: 3.76 (7th)
• WHIP: 1.23 (8th)

Inside the Stats - Chicago White Sox

• Record: 93-71
• Run Line: 81-83
• O/U: 74-83-7
• Runs: 796 (7th)
• Batting Average: .256 (5th)
• On Base Percentage: .336 (3rd)
• ERA: 3.73 (5th)
• WHIP: 1.20 (5th)

Key Players to Watch

• HOU: Yordan Alvarez - LF (.277 avg, 33 HRs, 104 RBIs)
• HOU: Kyle Tucker - RF (.294 avg, 30 HRs, 92 RBIs)
• CWS: Tim Anderson - SS (.309 avg, 17 HRs, 61 RBIs)
• CWS: Jose Abreu - 1B (.261 avg, 30 HRs, 117 RBIs)

Houston Astros vs. Chicago White Sox Game 3 Probable Pitchers

HOU: Luis Garcia - RHP (11-8, 3.30 ERA, 167 Ks, 1.17 WHIP)

CWS: Dylan Cease - RHP (13-7, 3.91 ERA, 226 Ks, 1.25 WHIP)

The Chicago White Sox have won 15 of their last 16 home games when playing at night after losing the game prior. (AP)

Houston Astros vs. Chicago White Sox Game 3 Betting Analysis

Chicago will give the ball to Dylan Cease in a do-or-die Game 3. Cease was 13-7 this year, and he ranked second among rotation members with a 12.3 K/9. He gave up a lot of walks and a decent amount of contact though, finishing the year with a 1.25 WHIP and a 3.91 ERA.

Cease is hoping the third time is the charm against Houston. He was shelled in his two previous starts, allowing 10 hits and four walks in nine innings on his way to a 9.00 ERA versus the Astros.

Three White Sox hitters have been excellent this postseason. Lead off hitter Tim Anderson has already been on base four times, and he has two of Chicago’s five runs. Jose Abreu has four hits and is responsible for driving in two runs.

The most dangerous player of the trio has been Luis Robert. Robert might be the second-most talented player in baseball when healthy, and he has already been on base six times in two games. Houston is pitching around him, but the rest of the lineup has yet to make the Astros pay.

No other player on the White Sox has an OPS over .500. Eloy Jimenez is the only other Chicago player with multiple hits, and Yasmani Grandal has yet to get on base. Grandal was one of the team’s best bats in the regular season, so his struggles especially sting.

Luis Garcia is going to try and close out the series for Houston. Garcia went 11-8 in the regular season with a 1.17 WHIP and a 3.30 ERA. He posted a 9.7 K/9 this year, but he was rocked in his last start on September 29.

Garcia’s lone start against the White Sox this season went well. He allowed one run and struck out eight batters over seven innings back on June 18. Chicago was able to put pressure on him though, as he allowed nine base runners.

Only two players on the Astros have yet to get on base more than once through the first two games of this series. Light-hitting catcher Martin Maldonado was expected to be one of them since he is on the field for his defense and pitch calling, but Yuli Gurriel is the other one. Gurriel was one of the most feared bats in the regular season, but he is off to a slow start.

Yordan Alvarez is not off to a slow start. He has been on base six times despite playing in the field instead of his usual role as the designated hitter. Alvarez currently has an OPS well over two, and he has helped bring Jose Altuve across the plate on more than one occasion.

Houston Astros vs. Chicago White Sox Game 3 Betting Trends

• Houston has gone UNDER the run total in four straight games when facing the AL Central at night.
• Chicago has won 15 of its last 16 home games when playing at night after losing the game prior.
• The favorite has covered the run line in five straight meetings.
• The home team has won four straight meetings.

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