The Houston Astros (19-18) and Chicago White Sox (13-26) open a 3-game set Friday at Guaranteed Rate Field. First pitch is scheduled for 8:10 p.m. ET. Let’s analyze BetMGM Sportsbook’s lines around the Astros vs. White Sox odds and make our expert MLB picks and predictions for the best bets.
Season series: Tied 2-2
The Astros won 5-4 as -125 favorites at the Los Angeles Angels Wednesday. Houston took the 3-game series 2-1 and has won back-to-back games for the 1st time since April 30-May 1.
The White Sox lost 4-3 as -107 favorites at the Kansas City Royals Thursday. Chicago has lost back-to-back games but is 6-5 in its last 11 contests.
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Astros at White Sox projected starters
RHP J.P. France vs. RHP Michael Kopech
France (0-0, 0.00 ERA) makes his 2nd career start. He allowed 0 ER on 3 H and 1 BB with 5 K in 5 innings in his debut at the Seattle Mariners Saturday.
- 2023 with AAA-Sugar Land: 2-1, 2.33 ERA (19 1/3 IP, 5 ER), 9 H, 0 HR, 11 BB, 26 K in 3 starts and 2 relief appearances
Kopech (1-3, 5.97 ERA) makes his 8th start. He has a 1.57 WHIP, 5.3 BB/9 and 8.6 K/9 through 37 2/3 innings.
- Last outing: Win, 6 IP, 4 ER, 8 H, 1 BB, 2 K in a 17-4 win at Cincinnati Reds Sunday
- Career vs. Astros: 0-2, 5.25 ERA (12 IP, 7 ER), 12 H, 2 HR, 3 BB, 7 K in 2 starts and 1 relief appearance
Astros at White Sox odds
Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 12:48 p.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): Astros -150 (bet $150 to win $100) | White Sox +125 (bet $100 to win $125)
- Run line (RL)/Against the spread (ATS): Astros -1.5 (+110) | White Sox +1.5 (-135)
- Over/Under (O/U): 8.5 (O: -120 | U: +100)
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Astros at White Sox picks and predictions
Prediction
White Sox 5, Astros 4
Moneyline
Houston has played down to the level of its competition lately and is 0-4 in its last 4 games vs. teams with a winning percentage below .400. France was dominant in his career debut, but it is unlikely that he can sustain that level of production vs. MLB hitters.
Chicago has played well vs. the Astros this season and is 4-1 in its last 5 games after a loss.
BET WHITE SOX (+125).
Run line/Against the spread
Chicago +1.5 (-135) should hit, but there is no need to pay the higher price on the run line when the White Sox should win straight up. Bet the moneyline and/or total instead.
PASS.
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Over/Under
The Over is 6-2 in Chicago’s last 8 games and 4-1 in its last 5 at home. These teams tend to play high-scoring games vs. each other, with the Over hitting in 4 of the last 5 meetings, and Friday’s matchup should be another offensive showcase as France comes back down to Earth after an impressive showing in his career debut.
BET OVER 8.5 (-120).
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