After two very entertaining single-elimination wild card games, the meat of the MLB Playoffs begins in earnest today. The Chicago White Sox and Houston Astros are set to clash to kick off Division Series action. Both squads won over 90 games during the regular season. Each side also boasts a top-notch pitching staff and a potent offense to match. Add it all up and this should be one heck of an ALDS matchup. The MLB betting odds have made the home team a slight favorite ahead of today’s White Sox vs Astros Game 1 showdown.
This MLB betting preview for White Sox vs Astros ALDS Game 1 includes game info, projected starting pitchers, betting odds, trends and a prediction for this series-opening matchup.
Chicago White Sox vs Houston Astros Betting Preview and Prediction | MLB Playoffs Game 1
ALDS Game 1
Chicago White Sox (93-69, 40-41 Away) vs. Houston Astros (95-67, 51-30 Home)
Date: Thursday, Oct. 7, 2021
Time: 4 p.m. EST
Venue: Minute Maid Park — Houston, TX
Coverage: FS1
White Sox vs Astros Starting Pitchers
White Sox: Lance Lynn (11-6, 2.69 ERA)
Astros: Lance McCullers Jr. (13-5, 3.16 ERA)
Chicago White Sox Preview
The White Sox were a trendy World Series pick for many MLB betting analysts before the season began. One of the biggest reasons for this was the easy path to the playoffs the team had. Chicago enjoyed playing in an AL Central Division in which they were the only ballclub to finish over .500 on the season. The White Sox have one of the most potent lineups in all of baseball. Jose Abreu, Luis Robert, Tim Anderson and Yoan Moncada are all dangerous every single time they come to the plate.
On the mound in Game 1 of the ALDS, today will be Lance Lynn. While he faltered down the stretch a bit, Lynn was actually the MLB betting favorite to win the AL Cy Young Award as late as mid-August. His 2.69 ERA on the season was one of the best in the American League. While his only previous start against the Astros this season came all the way back in July, it is worth noting that it didn’t exactly go according to plan. Lynn surrendered eight hits and six earned runs in just four innings of work in a losing effort.
Houston Astros Preview
Two years removed from winning the World Series, the Astros are once again back in the MLB Postseason. A number of MLB betting analysts expected this team to regress in 2021. Such was not the case. Even with ace pitcher Justin Verlander missing the entire year, Houston still won 95 games. The offense was a huge part of it. While more roster turnover could be looming in the offseason, the core of the 2019 championship lineup remains intact. Jose Altuve, Carlos Correa and Alex Bregman headline a star-studded batting order that was the top scoring offense in baseball during the regular season.
Will the Astros have enough quality pitching to be a legitimate threat in this postseason? We will start to find out the answer to that question today. Dusty Baker is placing his trust in righthander Lance McCullers Jr. for Game 1 of this ALDS. McCullers won 13 games and recorded 185 strikeouts over the course of the season. He also comes into this playoff series with an excellent track record against the White Sox. In two previous starts against Chicago this year, McCullers recorded 14 K’s and allowed all of four total hits and three runs in 13 innings. The Astros cruised to victories on both occasions. Houston will also have the raucous home crowd on their side inside Minute Maid Park for each of the first two games in this MLB betting series.
White Sox vs Astros MLB Betting Odds
MLB betting odds for White Sox vs Astros are taken from BetMGM Sportsbook.
Moneyline: CWS: (+110) | HOU: (-135)
Run Line: CWS: +1.5 (-185) | HOU: -1.5 (+150)
Total: 7.5 — Over: (-115) | Under: (-105)
Public (Spread) Betting Percentages via Action Network: CWS: (41%) | HOU: (59%)
White Sox vs Astros MLB Betting Trends
- White Sox are 6-1 SU in their last seven games.
- The total has gone under in six of the White Sox’ last nine games.
- Astros are 5-2 SU in their last seven home games.
- Four of the Astros’ last five games played in October have gone over the total.
- Astros are 10-2 SU in their last 12 head-to-head matchups against the White Sox at home.
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White Sox vs Astros Stats
- Chicago is averaging 4.91 runs per game (RPG) this season (T-No. 7 in the MLB).
- Chicago is surrendering 3.93 RPG this season (No. 4 in the MLB).
- Houston is averaging 5.33 RPG this season (No. 1 in the MLB).
- Houston is surrendering 4.06 RPG this season (No. 6 in the MLB).
White Sox vs Astros Weather Report
Note: This game will be played indoors.
White Sox vs Astros Prediction
The White Sox vs Astros MLB betting prediction uses NumberFire’s probability model. They give Houston a 54.0% chance to win Game 1 of this ALDS matchup.
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