This game could be low scoring as Chris Sale (5-2, 3.27 ERA) and the Chicago White Sox (25-30) meet Lance McCullers (2-0, 1.88 ERA) and the Houston Astros (34-24) in the first of a three-game series at U.S. Cellular Field. The game starts at 8:10 p.m. ET on Monday, Jun. 8 and will air on ROOT-SW and CSN-CHI.
Sale is 2-1 with a 0.38 ERA against the Astros in his career, and faces a less-than-stellar Houston offense that’s hitting just .236 on the year. Jose Abreu (.274, 27 Rs, 9 HRs, 33 RBIs) went 1 for 4 yesterday with one run. In his pitching opportunities against the White Sox, McCullers is 0-0 with a 2.08 ERA, seven strikeouts and two walks. George Springer (.235, 27 Rs, 8 HRs, 19 RBIs, 12 SBs) has been doing well, going 2 for 3 yesterday with one run.
Chicago is a -172 favorite in this game and the Over/Under (O/U) is set at seven runs. When playing as the favorite, the White Sox have a 14-11 record and overall money line at -583. Over the last 10 games, they have a very good record when playing as the favorite (3-1). The have been extremely effective at striking opposing batters out, averaging 8.1 strikeouts per game.
On the other side, the Astros have a nice record of 19-11 when they are the underdog and are +985 overall with the money line. Over the past 10 matchups, they are 4-6 SU and have a poor 0-3 record when they were an underdog to win. During the last 10 games, they averaged 3.0 runs per game, below their 4.2 season average. Houston is the top home-run-hitting team in the league with 78 home runs. The Astros have racked up 48 steals on the year, making them one of the most threatening base-running teams in the league. Shifting to the pitching staff, they have the second-lowest ERA in the AL at 3.46. They have a WHIP of 1.16 on the year, good for second in the league.
In their previous three games this season, the White Sox have a 2-1 record. The White Sox will take on a right-hander (McCullers) in this game and have a 21-23 record against right-handed starting pitchers this season. Taking the hill against the Astros will be the left-hander Sale. They sport a 12-10 record against southpaws.
Predictions: SU Winner – HOU, O/U – Over
Notes
When leading after 7 innings, Houston is 15-10, while Chicago is 11-9.
The White Sox are coming into this game after allowing one walk during their last outing. The Astros have a 3-11 record when opponents give up that many walks or fewer.
When they are outhit, the White Sox are 5-25. The Astros have a 9-16 record when opponents outhit them.
Ranking first in home runs, Houston has hit 78 this season. Chicago ranks 28th with 38 home runs.
Ranking 15th, Houston is in the top half of the league in hits, notching 7.81 per game. Chicago ranks in the top 10 at 10th with 8.31.
Ranking 29th, Chicago is near the bottom of the league for its on-base plus slugging percentage (.647). Houston ranks in the top half at 12th with an OPS of .717.
When the Astros allow at least one home run, they are 12-16. When the White Sox allow one or more homers, they have a 13-23 record.
