Houston Astros at Chicago White Sox Betting Preview/Prop Picks
16 August 2022
Time: 8:10 pm ET
Dunkel Ratings: Houston 16.714; Chicago White Sox 15.749
Dunkel Line & Total: Houston by 1; 9
Vegas Line & Total: Houston (-123); 7
Dunkel Pick: Houston (-123); Over
Tonight we have a battle between two American League teams that should be entertaining. On one side, we have the Houston Astros, who lead the AL West with a 75-42 record. In fact, the Houston Astros led the American League by 2.5 games.
Tonight, they can earn their 76th win, but they’ll have to get past the Chicago White Sox. Chicago beat them 4-2 in last night’s game.
The White Sox are credited with ending the Astros’ four-game winning streak. They pulled it off with great pitching and keeping the Astros away from the bases. If they can do this again, they might be able to add another win to their 60-56 record.
Each team has named one of the best pitchers in the league to start the game. Let’s look at both teams and make our pick for this one.
Houston Astros: The pitching battle starts right from the beginning
There are very few pitchers in the league that are better than Justin Verlander. After last night’s loss, the Astros are sending Verlander out in an effort to ensure a win.
This season, Verlander boasts a record of 15-3 with an ERA of 1.85. In both of those categories, he stands as one of, if not the best, pitchers in the league. With him on the mound, the Astros are in good hands.
At the plate, the Astros come in at a statistical disadvantage. This season, they have a batting average of .243, ranking 15th overall. They have an on-base percentage of .318, ranking 11th overall, and a slugging percentage of .424.
Even if the White Sox are slightly better at the plate statistically, Verlander evens the playing field. He’s got some serious competition tonight, though.
Chicago White Sox: Dylan Cease takes the mound for Chicago
Speaking of great pitchers, the White Sox have a few of their own, none better than Dylan Cease. Cease has a record of 12-5 this season with an ERA of 1.96.
Over the course of 128.2 innings, Cease has thrown 174 strikeouts and allowed 92 hits. With stats like this, the most entertaining thing to watch tonight will be the pitching battle. So, who will win it for their team?
Chicago’s ability at the plate can’t be underestimated. They have a team batting average of .259, ranking fourth in Major League Baseball. Their on-base percentage, however, could be a bit better, coming in at .313 and ranking 18th overall.
Cease should be able to slow down the Astros batters in the early game. Still, as the game goes on, Houston will get stronger.
Houston Astros at Chicago White Sox Betting Pick
This game is definitely a tough one to call, especially with who’s on the mound for each team. However, the Houston Astros have a slight edge, in our opinion.
Verlander has been incredible this season, throwing 134 strikeouts in 136 innings. Dylan Cease is great, too, but we think the Astros have the stronger overall bullpen.
Because of this, we’re going to take the Houston Astros -123 tonight. Usually, these teams trade games which makes tonight the best time to take the Astros.
We’re also going to take the over here since the total has gone over in five of Houston’s last seven games.
DunkelIndex Free Pick: Houston Astros -123, OVER
Prop Picks
Houston (-120) OVER 3.5 Runs
Houston is averaging 4.50 runs per 9 innings on offense, which ranks No. 11 in the league. Chicago is allowing 4.36 runs per 9 innings on defense, which ranks No. 18 in the league. That average increases to 5.02 runs per 9 innings at home. Scores have gone OVER in four of the White Sox’ last six games versus Houston.
With Dunkel predicting a Houston road victory by the score of 5-4, take the Astros (-120) to finish OVER their Vegas team total of 3.5 runs against the White Sox.
Houston (+100) Most Hits
Houston is allowing 6.93 hits per 9 innings on defense, which ranks No. 1 in the league. Chicago is allowing 8.28 hits per 9 innings, which ranks No. 20 in the league. That average increases to 8.53 hits per 9 innings at home.
With Dunkel predicting an Astros road win while going OVER their Vegas run total, take Houston (+100) to finish with more hits than Chicago.
Justin Verlander (-135) UNDER 2.5 Earned Runs
Verlander has allowed 28 earned runs in 136.0 innings pitched this season for an ERA of 1.85. The Houston right hander has an ERA of 1.58 (13 earned runs in 74.0 IP) on the road compared to 2.18 (15 earned runs in 62.0 IP) at home.
With Dunkel predicting a Houston road win, take Verlander (-135) to finish UNDER 2.5 earned runs allowed versus the White Sox.
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