Runs may be hard to come by in this one as Carlos Rodon (1-0, 3.12 ERA) and the Chicago White Sox (26-30) go up against Dallas Keuchel (7-1, 1.85 ERA) and the Houston Astros (34-25) in the second of a three-game series at U.S. Cellular Field. The Astros lost the last game 3-1, extending a five-game losing streak. The game gets underway at 8:10 p.m. ET on Tuesday, Jun. 9 and will air on ROOT-SW and CSN-CHI+.
In his most recent outing, Rodon pitched 6.0 innings, allowing one run, striking out 10 and walking three in a 2-1 loss to the Rangers. Avisail Garcia (.296, 25 Rs, 7 HRs, 25 RBIs, 1 SB) went 1 for 2 yesterday with one run, one home run, and two RBIs. In his pitching opportunities against the White Sox, Keuchel is 2-1 with a 2.21 ERA, 20 strikeouts and four walks. Jose Altuve (.300, 26 Rs, 5 HRs, 27 RBIs, 17 SBs) has been doing well offensively for the Astros, going 2 for 4 yesterday.
Chicago, a +106 underdog, will look to capitalize at home against Houston. The teams combine to set the Over/Under (O/U) at seven runs. The White Sox perform poorly as an underdog with an 11-18 record and have an overall money line of -618. An area where the White Sox are particularly strong is striking batters out, where they average 8.2 K’s per game.
Switching to the opposing bench, the Astros come into this game with a win percentage of .556 when playing as the favorite (15-12) and an overall money line of +784. During the last 10 games, they averaged 3.0 runs per game, below their 4.2 season average. Houston is the top home-run-hitting team in the league with 78 home runs. The Astros have racked up 48 steals on the year, making them one of the most threatening base-running teams in the league. Switching gears to Houston’s pitching staff, they have the third-lowest ERA in the AL at 3.52. They have a WHIP of 1.15, best in the MLB.
In their previous four games this season, the White Sox have a 3-1 record. This game will feature Keuchel (LHP) on the mound against the White Sox, who have a 4-6 record when they take on a left-handed starter. The left-handed Rodon will take the mound against the Astros, who have a 12-11 record against lefty starters this season.
Predictions: SU Winner – HOU, O/U – Over
Notes
The total has gone UNDER in 9 of Chi White Sox’s last 12 games at home.
Chi White Sox are 3-7 SU in their last 10 games at home.
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Chi White Sox’s last 7 games when playing Houston.
Chi White Sox are 5-2 SU in their last 7 games when playing Houston.
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Chi White Sox’s last 6 games when playing at home against Houston.
Chi White Sox are 5-1 SU in their last 6 games when playing at home against Houston.
When leading after 7 innings, Houston is 15-10, while Chicago is 11-9.
The White Sox are coming into this game after allowing one walk during their last outing. The Astros have a 3-12 record when opponents give up that many walks or fewer.
When they are outhit, the White Sox are 6-25. The Astros have a 9-16 record when opponents outhit them.
Ranking first in home runs, Houston has hit 78 this season. Chicago ranks 28th with 39 home runs.
Chicago and Houston both rank in the top half of the league in hits. Chicago sits at 11th with 8.20 hits per game and Houston ranks 15th with 7.76.
Ranking 29th, Chicago is near the bottom of the league for its on-base plus slugging percentage (.645). Houston ranks in the top half at 14th with an OPS of .713.
The Astros are 12-17 in games where they allow one or more home runs. The White Sox are 13-23 when they allow at least one homer.
