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

The Chicago White Sox (30-31) will take on the Houston Astros (39-24) Friday for game-one of a three-game series. First pitch is scheduled for 8:10 PM ET at Minute Maid Park in Houston, Texas and can be viewed on Apple TV+.  

Score Prediction

Astros 4, White Sox 2

Best Bets 

• Under 7.5 (-105) at Caesars

Updated on 04/20/2024

Caesars Get up to $1,000 Back in Bonus Bets if Your First Bet Doesn't Win!

Bonus Code INSIDER1000 Claim Now

Must be 21+. Gambling problem? Call or text 1-800-GAMBLER

Chicago White Sox vs. Houston Astros Betting Predictions

The Chicago White Sox enter this matchup third in the AL Central standings, five games behind the Minnesota Twins for first place. The White Sox most recently swept Detroit in a three-game series and have gone 6-4 SU in their last 10 games. The offense has been a bit inconsistent this season, but have scored five or more runs in seven straight games. Chicago’s bullpen has struggled as well and have given up 10 runs or more eight times this season. Right-handed pitcher Lucas Giolito is scheduled to start Friday. Giolito is 4-2 in 10 games this season with an ERA of 3.88 and has given up 55 hits, 23 earned runs, and struck out 70 batters in 53.1 innings.  

Houston is currently first in the AL West standings with a nine and a half game lead over the second place Texas Rangers. The Astros went 2-1 SU in their most recent series against the Rangers and have gone 5-5 SU in their last 10 games. The offensive production is down a bit from past seasons, but are still averaging 4.19 runs per game. The bullpen has been excellent this season and have held opponents to three runs or less 38 times this season. The left-hander Framber Valdez is expected to take the mound Friday. Valdez is 6-3 in 12 games this season with an ERA of 2.64 and has given up 57 hits, 22 earned runs, and struck out 61 batters in 75.0 innings.  

I like the total to go under in game-one of this series. Giolito has an ERA of 1.57 in three career starts at Minute Maid Park and the Astros offense has struggled at home this season, averaging just 3.8 runs per game. I also do not expect Chicago to have much offensive production with how good Houston’s bullpen has been. Backing the under in this matchup.

Chicago White Sox vs. Houston Astros Betting Odds

MLB Odds | World Series Odds | Expert Picks

Chicago White Sox vs. Houston Astros Betting Resources

• Date: Friday, June 17, 2022
• Matchup: AL Central vs. AL West
• Stadium: Minute Maid Park
• Location: Houston, Texas
• TV-Time: Apple TV+ - 8:10 p.m.

Chicago White Sox Betting Analysis

After a three-game sweep against the Tigers, the White Sox are now 30-31 SU, 28-33 ATS, and have an O/U record of 29-29-3. The total has gone over in six of Chicago’s last seven games. Following this trend, the total has gone over in four of their last five when playing an opponent from the AL West division. Chicago is 3-8 SU in their last 11 games against Houston and are 17-14 SU on the road this season.  

Chicago’s offense has struggled a bit this season, but have been better as of late with 27 runs scored over their last three games. As a team the White Sox have a batting average of .251 (9th), on base percentage of .308 (21st), slugging percentage of .379 (21st), and have scored 254 runs (25th). Designated hitter Andrew Vaughn is having a productive season with a batting average of .315 (52-165), six home runs, and 29 RBIs. First baseman Jose Abreu has also been solid with a batting average of .272 (61-224), nine home runs, and 30 RBIs.  

The White Sox bullpen ranks amongst the bottom half of the league. As a team they are allowing opponents a batting average of .247 (20th), have a WHIP of 1.38 (25th), and have an ERA of 4.02 (21st). Right-handed pitcher Lucas Giolito is scheduled to start Friday. Giolito is 4-2 in 10 games this season with an ERA of 3.88 and has given up 55 hits, 23 earned runs, and struck out 70 batters in 53.1 innings. In his most recent outing against the Rangers, Giolito struck out eight batters in 5.0 innings while giving up six hits and four runs. 

Houston Astros Betting Analysis

Once again, the Astros find themselves atop the AL West standings and have gone 39-24 SU, 30-33 ATS, and have an O/U record of 20-41-2. The total has gone under in 12 of the Astro’s last 17 games at home. Going against this trend, the total has gone over in eight of their last 12 against the White Sox. Houston is 6-0 SU in their last six home games against Chicago and 16-10 SU at home this season.  

Houston’s offense is not having the most productive season, but are getting the job done thanks to quality pitching. As a team the Astros have a batting average of .237 (21st), on base percentage of .315 (16th), slugging percentage of .409 (7th), and have scored 264 runs (22nd). Left fielder Yordan Alvarez leads the Astros with a batting average of .312 (64-205), 17 home runs, and 45 RBIs. The second baseman Jose Altuve is also playing well with a batting average of .274 (52-190), 12 home runs, and 23 RBIs.  

The Astros’ bullpen is having a great season. As a team they are allowing opponents a batting average of .219 (4th), have a WHIP of 1.13 (4th), and have an ERA of 3.03 (3rd). The left-hander Framber Valdez is expected to take the mound Friday. Valdez is 6-3 in 12 games this season with an ERA of 2.64 and has given up 57 hits, 22 earned runs, and struck out 61 batters in 75.0 innings. In his most recent outing against the Marlins, Valdez struck out six batters in 6.0 innings while giving up four hits and four runs. 

Key Players to Watch

• CWS: Luis Robert - OF (Last Game: 1-4, R)
• CWS: Yoan Moncada - 3B (Last Game: 5-6, HR, 2B, 2 R, 5 RBI)
• HOU: Yordan Alvarez - DH (Last Game: 1-4, 2B, R, 2 RBI)
• HOU: Jose Altuve - 2B (Last Game: 0-2, BB, R)

Probable Pitchers

• CWS: Lucas Giolito - RHP (4-2, 3.88 ERA, 70 K, 1.44 WHIP)
• HOU: Framber Valdez - LHP (6-3, 2.64 ERA, 61 K, 1.13 WHIP)

Chicago White Sox vs. Houston Astros Betting Conclusion

I think the results of this game could go either way, but do like the total to go under in this matchup. Giolito has been great at Minute Maid Park and the Astros have not been as efficient at home this season. I do not expect Chicago to get much going offensively either with how dominant Houston’s bullpen has been. Backing the under here.