The Chicago White Sox will play host to the Houston Astros at Guaranteed Rate Field. The opening pitch is scheduled for 8:10 p.m. ET and NBC Sports Chicago will be televising this AL matchup.
Houston Astros at Chicago White Sox Odds
Vegas has listed Chicago (+230) as the underdog to Houston (-260). The total stands at 9.5 runs and bettors can take the over for +100 or the under for -120. Bettors can also wager on the game’s spread with the runline odds sitting at Astros -1.5 runs (-165) and White Sox +1.5 runs (+145).
The White Sox are 52-64 straight up (SU) and 54-61 against the spread (ATS). The team’s gained 6.0 units for moneyline bettors while gaining 11.9 units ATS. Chicago has covered the spread five times in its last seven games and the total has gone under in three of those seven. The Astros are 77-41 SU and have gone 64-53 against the spread. Overall, the club has accumulated 13.8 units for moneyline bettors and 7.0 units ATS. Houston has covered the spread six times in its last seven games and the over has hit in four of those seven.
White Sox games have a 50-60-5 over/under record in 2019. The Astros have also been a decent under bet with a total record of 52-62-3.
Zack Greinke will get the nod for the Stros. The right-handed Greinke is 11-4 with a 3.08 ERA and 137 strikeouts. He has yet to face the White Sox this year and did not record a start against them in 2018, either.
The White Sox are going with righty Dylan Cease (2-4, 6.00 ERA), who has 33 strikeouts and 15 walks, along with a 1.55 WHIP. Cease did not pitch in the majors in 2018.
As a unit, Chicago’s pitching staff has given up 5.1 runs per game overall this season. Its starters have an ERA of 5.20, a WHIP of 1.45 and a strikeouts-per-nine of 8.2. The bullpen has a 4.34 ERA, 1.41 WHIP and 8.2 K/9.
Chicago’s hitters are putting up 4.1 runs per outing, including 4.5 per game over its last 10 games and 3.4 per game over their last five. The team has a slash-line of .263/.315/.357 over its last five games and is 2-3 SU during that stretch.
Jose Abreu and Leury Garcia have led the White Sox offense this year. Abreu is slashing .272/.313/.481 with 24 home runs, 83 RBIs and 55 runs scored, while Garcia is batting .289 with seven homers, 34 RBIs, 73 runs and 14 steals.
For the visitors, Houston’s pitchers have allowed 4.0 runs per game and its starting pitchers own a 3.68 ERA, 1.08 WHIP and 10.39 K/9. The bullpen has logged an ERA of 3.78, along with a K/9 of 9.71.
The Astros offense has slashed .275/.354/.489 on its way to 5.5 runs scored per game this season, including 9.1 runs per game over the team’s last 10 games and 11.6 per game over the team’s last five contests (4-1 SU).
Outfielder Michael Brantley and first baseman Yuli Gurriel continue to lead Houston’s hitters. Brantley is hitting .323/.382/.517 with 16 home runs, 72 RBIs and 68 runs scored, while Gurriel is slashing .303/.336/.543 with 23 homers, 81 RBIs and 65 runs scored.
The Astros have lost 0.7 units and are 46-39 ATS when facing a right-handed starting pitcher this season. The over has cashed in 40 of those games, compared to 43 that’ve hit the under against righty starters. On the other hand, the White Sox have lost 7.8 units and are 30-46 ATS when facing a right-handed starting pitcher. The over’s hit in 32 of those games, as opposed to 40 that’ve cashed the under.
Astros vs. White Sox Free Pick
Predictions: SU Winner – Astros, ATS Winner – Astros, O/U – OVER
Betting Notes
- Houston has logged 31 extra-base hits over its last five contests. Chicago has 11 XBH over its last five.
- The Astros have hit 23 home runs in their last 10 games, including 13 over their last five.
- The Astros have an OPS of .843 this season and an OPS of .816 when facing right-handed pitchers. The White Sox’ OPS sits at .707 overall and .689 against righties.
- Chicago has recorded 24.5 Runs + Hits + Errors per game over its last 10 games and 21.4 over its last five.
