The Chicago White Sox and Houston Astros begin a 4-game set at Minute Maid Park on Opening Day Thursday. First pitch will take place at 7:08 p.m. ET (ESPN). Let’s analyze Tipico Sportsbook’s lines around the White Sox vs. Astros odds and make our expert MLB picks and predictions for the best bets.
Season series: This will be the first meeting of 2023. The Astros won the season series 4-3 in 2022.
The White Sox missed the playoffs in 2022 with an 81-81 record, finishing 2nd in the AL Central and 5 games back of the final AL Wild Card. Chicago is hoping to have healthier versions of OF Luis Robert, OF Eloy Jimenez, and SS Tim Anderson this season, none of whom played 100 games last year.
Houston is coming off a World Series victory over the Philadelphia Phillies in 2022. The Astros will begin the season without 2B Jose Altuve after he suffered a fractured thumb in the World Baseball Classic and underwent surgery that will keep him sidelined for at least 2 months.
[gambcom-standard rankid=”3011″ ]
[gambcom-standard rankid=”3012″ ]
[betwidget_tipico]
White Sox at Astros projected starters
RHP Dylan Cease vs. LHP Framber Valdez
Cease went 14-8 in 32 starts during the 2022 season. He finished with a 2.20 ERA, 1.11 WHIP, 3.8 BB/9 and 11.1 K/9 in 184 IP.
- Finished as the runner-up for the AL Cy Young award in 2022 behind former Astros RHP Justin Verlander (currently with the New York Mets)
- Had at least 5 IP in all but 4 starts last season
Valdez produced a 17-6 record in 31 starts during the 2022 season, finishing with a 2.82 ERA, 1.16 WHIP, 3.0 BB/9, and 8.7 K/9 in 201 1/3 IP/
- Was 5th in the AL Cy Young voting in 2022
- Registered the 5th most IP among pitchers last season
White Sox at Astros odds
Provided by Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 10:20 a.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): White Sox +123 (bet $100 to win $123) | Astros -140 (bet $140 to win $100)
- Run line (RL)/Against the spread (ATS): White Sox +1.5 (-180) | Astros -1.5 (+155)
- Over/Under (O/U): 7 (O: -125 | U: +102)
Win your fantasy baseball league with BaseballHQ.com. For decades, BHQ has been helping players just like you win! Use the couple code SBW23 for $15 OFF a Draft Prep or full-season subscription. New customer offer; expires 4/30/2023. Subscribe today and start winning!
White Sox at Astros picks and predictions
Prediction
Astros 5, White Sox 3
Moneyline
HOUSTON (-140) is worth taking straight up at -150 odds or better as it looks to start the season strong after winning the World Series in 2022.
Run line/Against the spread
ASTROS -1.5 (+140) is the pick as they boast of the best lineups in baseball even with Altuve sidelined.
The White Sox are 10-22 in the last 32 meetings with the Astros, including losses of 16 and 10 runs in two games last season.
Play our free daily Pick’em Challenge and win! Play now!
Over/Under
While Cease and Valdez will be taking the mound on Thursday, OVER 7 (-125) is the lean but only because they likely won’t pitch their usual number of innings.
[gambcom-standard rankid=”5″ ]
For sports betting picks and tips, check out SportsbookWire.com and BetFTW. Plus, try out the USA TODAY Parlay Calculator and please gamble responsibly.
Follow Skyler Carlin on Twitter. Follow SportsbookWire on Twitter and like us on Facebook.
Additional MLB coverage:
BaseballHQ Fantasy Baseball
BaseballPress.com: Your source for every MLB lineup
[lawrence-newsletter]
[lawrence-auto-related count=3 category=1372]