The Houston Astros did what they do best in Game 1 of their American League Divisional Series by using their bats to beat up on Chicago White Sox pitching in a 6-1 victory.
Can the White Sox bounce back and even the series by handing the ball to Lucas Giolito or do the Astros have value as a short betting favorite on their way to taking a commanding 2-0 lead?
Find out with our free MLB betting picks and predictions for Game 2 of the ALDS between the White Sox and Astros on Friday, October 8.
White Sox vs Astros odds
Odds via the Covers Line, an average comprised of odds from multiple sportsbooks.
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White Sox vs Astros picks
Picks made on 10/8/2021 at 11:00 a.m. ET.
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White Sox vs Astros game info
• Location: Minute Maid Park, Houston, TX
• Date: Friday, October 8, 2021
• Time: 2:07 p.m. ET
• TV: MLBN
White Sox vs Astros betting preview
Starting pitchers
Lucas Giolito (11-9, 3.53 ERA): After a slow start, Giolito finished the season strong. The right-hander didn’t allow more than three earned runs in each of his last eight starts, pitching to a 2.36 ERA and limiting opponents to a .192 batting average.
Framber Valdez(11-6, 3.14 ERA): Valdez has some electric stuff but can be wild at times and that resulted in an up-and-down month of September. The lefty allowed 15 walks over his last five starts and while his ERA was a respectable 3.94 in those games, he was a little lucky with a FIP of 5.00.
White Sox vs Astros series odds (DraftKings)
White Sox: +240
Astros: -285
Weather
Be sure to monitor the gametime conditions with our MLB weather info.
Key injuries
White Sox: No key injuries to report.
Astros: Rafael Montero RP (Out).
Find our latest MLB injury reports.
Betting trend to know
The Under is 6-0-1 in the White Sox's last seven games as a road underdog. Find more MLB betting trends for White Sox vs. Astros.
White Sox vs Astros predictions
White Sox (+110)
The Astros jumped all over Lance Lynn yesterday, getting to him for five runs on six hits in just 3 2-3 innings, meaning the White Sox will need a big performance out of Giolito if they want to bounce back in this series.
But if there is a Pale Hose pitcher who is up to the task of shutting down the Astros' potent lineup it’s Giolito. The right-hander was outstanding in the second half of the season, pitching to a 2.65 ERA and a 1.00 WHIP while limiting opponents to a .205 batting average. That includes a complete game against the Astros where he allowed just one run on three hits.
Valdez, meanwhile, has been battling his control lately and giving extra opportunities to a team that ranked fifth in batting average with runners on. On top of that, Chicago ranked seventh in batting average and sixth in OPS when facing left-handed pitching this season.
Yes, the Astros have crushed right-handers this season, but Giolito is built for games like this, so we’ll take the value with the White Sox as underdogs in Game 2.
Over 8 (-110)
The White Sox have struggled against good teams this year, but they match up well against Valdez. The lefty is a sinkerball pitcher, but sinkers get hit hard when they don’t sink, which has happened more often than Valdez would like this season. As a result, he ranks in the bottom-11th percentile in hard-hit percentage.
Chicago has also gotten to Valdez for seven runs on 13 hits, including three home runs in 13 1-3 innings this season.
And while we like Giolito to have a good game today, this is still the Astros we are talking about. The Astros led MLB in batting average against right-handed hitters and were second in scoring, plating 5.4 runs per game.
When it comes to the bullpens, both teams have top-end talent but their 'pens have been shaky at times, leading to the White Sox and Astros ranking 12th and 15th, respectively, in reliever ERA. Expect the White So's offense to bounce back enough in this one to send this game Over.
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