The Chicago White Sox (72-64) and the Houston Astros (69-68) open a 4-game series Monday at Daikin Park in Houston, Texas. First pitch is scheduled for 8:10 p.m. ET. Let's analyze MLB odds around the White Sox vs. Astros odds and make our expert MLB picks and predictions for the best bets.
Season series: Astros lead 2-1
The White Sox (+104) dropped Sunday's game 5-1 at the Minnesota Twins, but Chicago won 2 of the 3 games over the weekend. 2B Sam Antonacci finished 2 for 4 with a double and a run scored at leadoff. The White Sox have won 3 straight series, too, going 6-3 in the past 9 outings. The Under has cashed in 2 in a row, and 4 of the past 5 road contests.
The Astros (+110) posted a 6-3 victory Sunday at the New York Mets as the total (9)
pushed for the second straight day. Houston 3B Nick Allen finished 3 for 4 with a double out of the 9-hole. The Astros have won 3 of the past 4 games, while the Under is 2-0-2 in the span, with just 2.8 runs per game (RPG) allowed.
Chicago is 17-10 vs. AL West, while going 31-37 on the road with a plus-44 run differential overall. Houston is just 33-35 at home, while posting a minus-43 run differential overall. The Astros are 15-10 vs. AL Central, and 15-19 vs. left-handed starting pitchers.
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White Sox at Astros projected starters
LHP Anthony Kay vs. RHP Peter Lambert
Kay (9-6, 4.09 ERA) makes his 26th start (28th appearance). He has a 1.34 WHIP, 3.2 BB/9, 7.4 K/9 in 132 innings.
- Last start: No-decision, 4 2/3 IP, 4 ER, 6 H (2 HR), 2 BB, 4 K in 11-7 home win vs. Texas Rangers Tuesday
- 2026 road splits (12 starts): 3-2, 4.89 ERA (57 IP, 31 ER), 1.42 WHIP, 11 HR, 25 BB, 46 K
- Career vs. Astros (1 relief appearance with Toronto Blue Jays): No-decision, 2 1/3 IP, 3 ER, 4 H, 1 HR, 2 BB, 3 K in 7-4 road loss May 9, 2021
Lambert (8-7, 3.66 ERA) makes his 24th start. He has a 1.23 WHIP, 3.6 BB/9, 8.8 K/9 in 128 innings.
- Last appearance: No-decision, 5 2/3 IP, 2 ER (3 R), 7 H, 3 BB, 5 K in 9-3 loss at New York Yankees Wednesday
- 2026 home splits (14 starts): 5-5, 4.05 ERA (80 IP, 36 ER), 1.16 WHIP, 6 HR, 21 BB, 49 K
- Career vs. White Sox (1 start with Colorado Rockies): Win, 7 IP, 1 ER, 4 H (1 solo HR), 1 BB, 5 K in 14-1 home win Aug. 18, 2023
White Sox at Astros odds
Provided by FanDuel Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 1:06 p.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): White Sox +120 (bet $100 to win $120) | Astros -128 (bet $128 to win $100)
- Run line (RL)/Against the spread (ATS): White Sox +1.5 (-188) | Astros -1.5 (+155)
- Over/Under (O/U): 9 (O: -102 | U: -120)
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White Sox at Astros picks and predictions
Prediction
Astros 5, White Sox 4
Moneyline
The ASTROS (-128) are a strong play behind Lambert, who has performed well at home, while Kay has struggled a bit on the road.
This is a potential playoff preview, and we might have some close games, but the edge goes to Houston in the opener.
Run line/Against the spread
The White Sox +1.5 (-188) will cost you nearly 2 times your potential return, and that's way too much risk for not enough reward.
If you like Chicago, just bet it straight up.
PASS.
Over/Under
PASS.
When the Over was 8.5, I was leaning go with a half-unit play at most. But at 9, it looks like a push.
While the Under is 2-0-2 in the past 4 games for the Astros, they've allowed 54 runs in the past 9 home games, or 6.0 runs per game (RPG).
For the White Sox, the Over is 4-2 in the past 6 games, allowing 5.6 RPG.
Betting odds calculator
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This article originally appeared on Sportsbook Wire: Chicago White Sox at Houston Astros odds, picks and predictions
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