Chicago White Sox vs Houston Astros Prediction and Betting Odds August 16
Chicago White Sox vs Houston Astros Betting Preview
WagerTalk MLB handicapper Andy Lang offers his analysis of Tuesday’s Chicago White Sox vs Houston Astros clash at Guaranteed Rate Field. The White Sox sit two games back in the AL Central with the Astros leading the AL West.
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| Tuesday, August 16 | MLB Betting Notes, Courtesy of Caesars |
|---|---|
| Moneyline: | Chicago White Sox +110 vs Houston Astros -120 |
| Runline: | White Sox +1.5 (-165) / Astors -1.5 (+145) |
| Total: | 7 Runs (Over -105 / Under -115) |
| Game Time: | 8:10pm ET / 5:10pm PT |
| Where: | Guaranteed Rate Field in Chicago, IL |
| Weather: | 70 Degrees / Clear |
Chicago White Sox vs Houston Astros Analysis
The Houston Astros and Chicago White Sox meet for the second of four games from Guaranteed Rate Field on Tuesday night.
The White Sox prevailed last night as they doubled up the Stros 4-2. Houston has a comfortable 12 game lead in the American League West, while Chicago sits two games short of a playoff spot.
We have what sets up to be a classic pitchers duel as Cy Young favorites Justin Verlander and Dylan Cease go toe-to-toe. They rank 1st & 2nd in ERA as Cease sits at 1.96 with Verlander just a tick better at 1.85. First pitch is scheduled for 8:10 PM EST/5:10 PST.
Verlander Goes For ‘Stros
Justin Verlander will be tasked with getting the Houston Astros back on track after last night’s 4-2 loss. Jose Urquidy was phenomenal with only one run allowed on six scattered hits across 7.2 innings of work.
Alex Bregman had the teams only extra-base hit with a double. Justin Verlander is like a bottle of fine wine, only getting better with age. At the age of 39, he has a ridiculous 15-3 record on the season to go with a minuscule 1.85 ERA and 0.86 WHIP.
He held the Texas Rangers to three runs on five hits across six innings in a no-decision. However he did have his worst outing of the season against the Chicago White Sox as he allowed seven runs (four earned) on nine hits across only 3.2 innings pitched.
The Astros lineup is top ten if not top five in every offensive category imaginable. They have bolstered that lineup with the additions of Trey Mancini and Christian Vazquez. Houston has surpassed the New York Yankees for the best record in the American League at 75-42.
Cease And Desist
The 26 year-old phenom Dylan Cease will be looking to go toe-to-toe with a former Cy Young in Justin Verlander. Cease is making a case for the award this season, with a 12-5 record, 1.96 ERA and 1.14 WHIP.
He hasn’t dealt with this Astros lineup yet, but held the Kansas City Royals to one run on only three hits across six innings in his last outing. The Pale Hose will look to ride the momentum of last night’s 4-2 triumph.
Johnny Cueto was magnificent as he held the Stros to two runs (one earned) on six scattered hits across eight full innings of work. Eloy Jimenez was the offensive standout, going 2 for 4 with a double and two RBI.
The White Sox have now won four straight games to improve to 60-56 on the season. They are immersed in the American League Wild Card log jam, sitting two games out coming into this contest.
Chicago White Sox vs Houston Astros Prediction
No surprise bookmakers expect a tight matchup as the Houston Astros money line is set at -125, while the Chicago White Sox sit at +105 with a total of only 7.
This game has the potential for a tremendous pitching duel with two of the leagues best getting the nod. Dylan Cease hasn’t faced the Astros this season, but has struggled against them in the past. He is 0-3 against them with a total of 14 runs allowed in just three outings.
Houston feasts on right-handed pitching and has scored 5+ runs in five of their last six games. Justin Verlander is cruising recently, giving up only five runs combined in his last five starts. He has thrived on the road, giving up only two runs in last four outings away from home.
Two of those four games were against top five teams in terms of scoring. Verlander did have a hard time against Chicago earlier this season but they will have a hard time without their spark plug Tim Anderson tonight.
The Astros also have the best bullpen ERA in the majors while the Chicago pen is average at best. I considered White Sox F5 team total under, but at 1.5 a bloop and a blast will kill you. Instead we will keep it simple and roll with the Astros money line.
Prediction: Houston Astros -120
First Pitch | MLB Predictions for Tuesday, August 16
Join Drew Martin and a rotating panel of guests for First Pitch as we break down the daily baseball slate from a betting perspective. Join WagerTalk’s team of MLB betting experts every weekday at 1:45pm ET / 10:45am PT for First Pitch as we discuss the baseball betting slate.
WagerTalk Live Odds Screen
WagerTalk’s Live Odds Screen features up-to-the-minute lines from a variety of offshore and domestic sports books. Track the MLB moneylines, run lines and betting percentages for all of Tuesday’s baseball games, including this Chicago White Sox vs Houston Astros showdown, from your desktop or phone.
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Meet the Author
Andy Lang has lived in Indianapolis his whole life, and like most people from the Hoosier State, he became fascinated with motor sports. That interest in motor sports turned into a desire to make money off the sport through fantasy contests and sports betting. Like most, he took his lumps when he first got started, but now he is one of the most respected NASCAR bettors in the industry. Andy has expanded that sports betting experience to become profitable in a number of other sports, transforming this interest from a side hobby to a major source of income.
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