Houston Astros vs
Chicago White SoxPredictions & Preview

Houston Astros Primed for Victory in Series Finale Against Struggling Chicago White Sox

The Houston Astros have made a strong comeback after a rough start to the 2024 season and are now in contention in the American League West division. They will be wrapping up a series with the struggling Chicago White Sox, who despite ending a losing streak, lack talent on their roster. The expected pitching matchup for Thursday's game will be RHP Spencer Arrighetti for the Astros and RHP Chris Flexen for the White Sox. Houston is the betting favorite for this matchup.

Betting Odds

• Moneyline: Astros -174 | White Sox +155
• Spread: Astros -1.5 (-115) | White Sox +1.5 (-104)
• Total: Over/Under 9 (-110)
• Based on the moneyline, the implied probability that Houston will win straight-up is 64%.

Houston vs Chicago Stats

Houston Astros

The Houston Astros have faced challenges with injuries and inconsistency at the start of the season but have shown improvement with an 8-4 record in their past 12 games, placing them in second in the American League West. Despite still sitting below .500 at 34-40, the Astros boast a strong offense with a .258 team batting average, leading MLB. With their pitching staff getting healthier, the team has climbed to 21st in team ERA. Despite recent struggles, there is still plenty of season left for the Astros to secure a playoff spot. Rookie pitcher Spencer Arrighetti will take the mound for Houston, coming off a tough outing that raised his season ERA to 6.37. The Astros recently secured a win over the White Sox, with strong pitching from Hunter Brown and enough runs to claim a 4-1 victory. With a power ranking of 15, Houston ranks in the middle in offense and defense, scoring an average of 4.37 runs per game and allowing an average of 4.34 runs against them per game.

Chicago White Sox Analysis

The Chicago White Sox have been performing below expectations in the 2024 season, currently sitting in last place in the AL Central. Their pitching staff ranks second to last in baseball, while their offense is dead last. With no standout players on the horizon, it looks like it will be a challenging season for White Sox fans. Veteran righty Chris Flexen has been struggling on the mound, with a high ERA in June. In their last matchup against the Astros, the White Sox fell short, with only one RBI from Andrew Benintendi. Overall, the White Sox have a power ranking of 28 and rank last in offense, scoring an average of 3.12 runs per game. Their defense also ranks poorly, giving up an average of 5.19 runs per game. The Astros recently went 1-2 in their last three matchups against the White Sox.

Astros look to swing momentum in competitive rivalry with White Sox

Despite the Houston Astros' consistent success in recent years, the head-to-head rivalry with the White Sox has been notably competitive. The White Sox have managed to secure a 4-6 record in their last ten matchups with the Astros dating back to the 2022 season. However, the current White Sox team presents a formidable challenge. Following a loss in game one of the series, the Astros are determined to shift the momentum in their favor. With a strong performance in their most recent outing, the Astros are poised to secure a victory in the upcoming Thursday game and claim success in this compelling road series.

Sources: [ 1 ] [ 2 ] [ 3 ]