Astros vs. White Sox Prediction and Odds for Wednesday, August 17 (Can Houston Get Back on Track?)
By Reed Wallach
Are the Chicago White Sox turning a corner?
Chicago erased deficits late on Monday and Tuesday against the best team in the American League Houston Astros to take the first two of a three game series on the South Side, can they make it three in a row?
The White Sox trail the Cleveland Guardians by a game in the AL Central and taking the first three games of this four-game set against the Astros can go a long way towards surpassing their division rival.
Here are the odds for Wednesday's showdown from consensus sportsbooks:
Astros vs. White Sox Odds, Run Line, Total
Run Line:
- Astros: -1.5 (+115)
- White Sox: +1.5 (-135)
Moneyline:
- Astros: -145
- White Sox: +125
Total:
- 8 (Over -105/Under -115)
Astros vs. White Sox Prediction and Pick
The Astros will send out lefty Framber Valdez to stop the bleeding against the South Siders. Valdez has been fantastic this season, posting a 2.79 ERA while generating a high ground ball rate (he has the lowest home run rate in the big leagues). He will be facing Michael Kopech, who is off of one of his best starts of his career, six innings of no hit baseball while striking out 11 batters.
Both pitchers will be facing stout offenses, especially Kopech who will be up against an Astros team that has the second lowest strikeout rate in the big leagues, but the way this series has been going I see runs coming few and far between.
Kopech has allowed more than two earned runs in one of his last six starts and Valdez has also been fantastic, pitching at least six innings in every start dating back to April 25. He hasn't allowed more than three runs in any of those outings. If it wasn't for Justin Verlander's incredible play for the Astros, Valdez would receive more Cy Young buzz.
The Astros bullpen cost them the last two games, so I'm nervous to back them, but I do see both pitchers showing out and keep the trend of low scoring matchups in tact.
LEAN: UNDER 8