The Chicago White Sox will look to even the series against the Houston Astros in Game 2 of the ALDS. It’s time to continue our MLB odds series and make a White Sox-Astros prediction and pick.

The Astros ran away with the opening match of this series, winning 6-1 thanks to an excellent bullpen performance from Lance McCullers Jr. The right-hander threw 6.2 innings of shutout baseball and gave up just four hits.  However, expect White Sox manager Tony La Russa and his men to come out motivated and try to steal a game before heading back to Chicago.

Here’s how sportsbooks have set the White Sox-Astros Odds.

MLB Odds: White Sox-Astros Odds

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Chicago White Sox +1.5 (-183)

Houston Astros -1.5 (+163)

Over 8 runs (-105)

Under 8 runs (-115)

Why The Astros Could Cover The Spread

Houston will likely have Framber Valdez on the mound for Game 2. The left-hander started 22 games in the regular season, where he had an 11-6 record with a 3.14 ERA. Valdez went 1-1 against the White Sox this season and gave up a total of six earned runs and 13 hits in 13.1 innings pitched against the American League Central side.

The Astros are one of the best hitting teams in baseball and showed that in Game 1. They finished the regular season with the best team on-base percentage at .339 and led the MLB in RBIs with 834.

Houston becomes even better at the plate when facing a right-handed pitcher, and Chicago is expected to start a righty for Game 2. The Astros have a team batting averaging of .266 against right-handed pitchers (1st in MLB).

Individually, Yordan Álvarez has the most power on the team with 33 home runs and 104 RBIs. Álvarez went 2-3 yesterday, with one was a home run.

Why The White Sox Could Cover The Spread

Chicago plans to give Lucas Giolito the start for Game 2. The right-hander started 31 games in the regular season and had an 11-9 record with a 3.53 ERA. Giolito played one of his best games of the season against the Astros this season. He pitched all nine innings and gave up just one earned run and three hits.

The White Sox are a good team offensively, but when they face a left-handed pitcher, they become great. According to actionnetwork.com, Chicago was top five in terms of wOBA and wRC+ against left-handed pitching during the regular season.

Tim Anderson is the most influential player for the White Sox. He went 1-4 in Game 1, but a solid game out of him in Game 2 could set the tone for the remainder of the series. Anderson finished the regular season with a team-high 163 hits and 18 stolen bases. He also connected for 18 home runs.

Final White Sox-Astros Prediction & Pick

The Astros showed their dominance in Game 1 and have a far more playoff experienced lineup. However, the White Sox have a more favorable pitching matchup this afternoon and will be eager to even the series in Game 2.

That said, you can find solid value on the White Sox in the early innings while Giolito is on the mound.

FINAL WHITE SOX-ASTROS PREDICTION & PICK: Chicago White Sox First Five Innings ML  (-106)