White Sox vs Astros Prediction, Pick and Preview, October 8 (10/8): MLB

White Sox vs Astros Prediction, Pick and Preview, October 8 (10/8): MLB

Credit: photo by John E. Sokolowski-USA TODAY Sports

 
Odds
Time 2:07 p.m. EST
White Sox money line +108
White Sox run line +1.5 (-185)
Astros money line -130
Astros run line -1.5 (+160)
Over / under 8 (-105)

 

Key stats
  White Sox Astros
Record 93-69 96-67
Road / home record 40-42 52-30
Last 10 record 7-3 5-5
Streak 2L 3W
Over / under record 70-82-10 86-70-7
Runs / game 4.93 5.33
Runs allowed / game 3.93 4.05

 

Preview

Tonight we have game 2 of this series between the White Sox and the Astros. The Astros took game one easily, backed by a strong performance from McCullers and their bats, winning 6-1. The Astros showed their experience and poise in game 1 and will look to take a two game lead before heading to Chicago.

The Chicago White Sox enter this game down 0-1 in this best of 5 series. They dropped game one, losing 6-1. Lance Lynn continued to struggle against this Houston team as he was lit up early. The White Sox offense had no answer for McCullers as he had his way with this offense. The White Sox will have Lucas Giolito on the mound for this game in what should be a more competitive game.

The Astros come into this game up 1-0 in the series. Yesterday they showed that they are still very live to make a run for a championship as they know what it takes to win games. They got it done from everyone in the lineup and McCullers went deep in the game and the bullpen closed it out in easy fashion. Framber Valdez will be on the bump for game two and if he can't keep his walks down the Astros will need another offensive performance like game one.  

 

Pitching matchup

White Sox

Lucas Giolito (11-9, 3.53 ERA) will be on the mound for the White Sox in game two of this series. Giolito has a postseason record of 1-0, he has one start and went 7 innings while striking out 8 hitters. Giolito enters this game with a 1.10 WHIP and 4.12 XFIP. This season he carries a 28.1% strikeout rate along with a 7.3% walk rate. Giolito has seen this Houston team one time during the regualr season, going 9 innings, allowing 1 earned run while striking out 8 hitters.  Despite his vulnerability to give up the long ball this year, he has been excellent this season. Giolito has some nasty stuff and when he is on he's hard to hit. If he can temper down these bats in a hostile environment I think he can have success. The White Sox have the perfect guy on the mound to even this series out to 1-1. 

Astros

Framber Valdez (11-6, 3.14 ERA) will toe the rubber for the Red Sox in game 2 of this series. Valdez enters this game with post season experience, with a record of 3-1 in 4 games (3 starts), 24 innings, with a 1.88 ERA and 1.00 WHIP.  Valdez enters this game with a 1.25 WHIP and 3.88 XFIP. This season he carrries a 21.9% strikeout rate along with a 10.6% walk rate. During the regular season he has faced off with this White Sox team twice, going 13.1 innings, allowing six earned runs, and striking out nine. Valdez has been good for the Astros as he keeps the ball down at an elite rate, boasting a 71.1% ground ball rate. He does have walk issues and those issues could get him in trouble in this one. He benefits from being up a game in this series while taking on a young White Sox team. 

Prediction

I'll be targeting the White Sox in this one. Chicago profiles pretty good against Valdez pitch mix and you add the high walk rate and the White Sox should be able get after him. I see Giolito being able to temper this Houston offense before handing it over to the bullpen to close things out. Look for the White Sox to wake up here and even this series up before heading back to Chicago.

PICK: White Sox ML   (+108)

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