White Sox vs. Astros Pick
Can the Houston Astros avoid a big letdown when they play host to the Chicago White Sox tonight at 8:10PM ET?
According to oddsmakers at Bovada.lv, Houston is favored at home, as the Astros are getting odds of -215 to win, while the White Sox are listed with a money line of +190 to win. The over/under total for the contest has been set at 9 runs. Surprisingly, Chicago has won all three meetings with the Astros this season.
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The pitching matchup for this game has Lucas Giolito (2-2, 2.56 ERA) on the mound for Chicago to face Collin McHugh (2-2, 3.61) of the Astros. Giolito has appeared in five games this year, pitching 31.2 innings while allowing nine earned runs with 26 strikeouts and 11 walks. His WHIP is 0.95. McHugh has started nine games this season and allowed 19 earned runs over 47.1 innings. He has 43 strikeouts with 51 walks and a 1.27 WHIP.
The White Sox are coming off a four-game split with the Tigers, but have actually won six of their last nine games. Chicago now stands 60-89 overall and 26-49 on the road. Chicago is putting up 4.43 runs per game this year while allowing 5.13 per contest. Jose Abreu has been leading the White Sox this season with 31 home runs, 38 doubles and 97 RBI. Avisail Garcia is adding 23 doubles, 17 home runs and 77 RBI while hitting. 333.
Houston is riding a four-game win streak entering this series. The Astros are now 91-58 overall and 44-31 at home. Houston has clinched the AL West, but the Astros are 1.5 games behind Cleveland for home-field in the AL. Houston is putting up 5.47 runs this season while allowing 4.46. Jose Altuve has been leading the team with a .348 average, 38 doubles, 23 home runs, 77 RBI and 31 stolen bases. George Springer has added 32 home runs and 79 RBI.
McHugh has had some shaky outings this year, but none have come at home. In three starts in Houston, McHugh is 1-0 with a 0.54 ERA. I look for another great start at home tonight against this lackluster Chicago lineup. The White Sox will have trouble keeping pace with the Houston hitting, as the Astros should be able to pose a problem for Giolito.
MLB DAILY PREDICTION: HOUSTON ASTROS -215