2021 MLB playoffs: White Sox vs. Astros odds, ALDS Game 1 picks, predictions from expert on 33-14 run

The Chicago White Sox won their last World Series title in 2005, sweeping the then-National League Houston Astros. That had been the only playoff matchup between the two franchise until Thursday when they meet in Game 1 of the American League Division Series. Houston, champions of the AL West, was 5-2 in the regular season against AL Central champion Chicago, but the clubs haven’t seen each other since July 18. First pitch in this 2021 MLB playoffs matchup is at 4:07 p.m. ET from Minute Maid Park in Houston. It’s a matchup of AL Cy Young contenders in the White Sox’s Lance Lynn (11-6, 2.69 ERA) and Houston’s Lance McCullers Jr. (13-5, 3.16).

Houston is listed as a -130 favorite (risk $130 to win $100) on the money line in the latest White Sox vs. Astros odds from Caesars Sportsbook, while the over-under for total runs scored is eight. Before making any Astros vs. White Sox picks, you need to see what SportsLine expert Matt Severance has to say.

Severance, SportsLine’s breaking news writer, multi-sport handicapper and an Early Edge podcast regular, is 147-107 in his past 254 MLB picks, returning more than $2,400. Severance is 33-14 on his last 47 MLB picks involving White Sox games, returning nearly $1,600. Anyone who has followed him is way up.

Now, Severance has dialed in on White Sox vs. Astros and just released his coveted 2021 ALDS Game 1 picks and predictions. You can visit SportsLine now to see all of Severance’s MLB playoffs picks. Here are the MLB odds and betting lines for Astros vs. White Sox:

• White Sox vs. Astros money line: Houston -130, Chicago +120
• White Sox vs. Astros over-under: 8 runs 
• White Sox vs. Astros run line: Houston -1.5 (+150) 
• CHI: White Sox are 6-0 in their last six games vs. a right-handed starter 
• HOU: Astros are 20-8 in their last 28 Thursday games

Featured Game | Houston Astros vs. Chicago White Sox

Why you should back the White Sox

The White Sox closed the regular season strong by winning six of seven and may have the best bullpen in the majors, led by Michael Kopech and All-Star closers Craig Kimbrel and Liam Hendriks. Kimbrel was acquired around the trade deadline from the Cubs and thus hasn’t faced Houston this year. If the Sox lead after six innings, the game could be over with this trio. 

Lynn (11-6, 2.69) would have won the AL ERA title but fell a few innings short of qualifying – he finished with a 2.93 ERA in 11 road starts. The 34-year-old has been around the block, so the playoff stage will not be too much for the right-hander: Lynn has pitched a total of 54.1 postseason innings. Chicago comes off a loss in its regular-season finale, but that could be a good thing as the Sox are 5-1 in their past six after a defeat.

Why you should back the Astros

While Chicago was just 40-41 on the road, Houston had of the best home records in the majors at 51-30 and also swept four from the White Sox at Minute Maid Park from June 17-20. The Astros led the majors in runs scored (863) and were second in OPS (.783) and have a star-studded lineup led by former AL MVP Jose Altuve, ex-AL MVP runner-up Alex Bregman, Carlos Correa, Michael Brantley, Yordan Alvarez and 2021 AL batting champion Yuli Gurriel. All of those guys have plenty of postseason experience.

One of the best young pitchers in the American League gets the call on the mound in McCullers Jr., who finished 13-5 with a 3.16 ERA. He led qualified AL starters in opponents’ batting average (.205), opponents OPS (.628) and hits per/nine IP (6.76) while ranking second in ERA (3.16), tied for second in winning percentage (.722) and T-5th in wins (13). The Astros are 8-1 in their last nine ALDS home games.

How to make White Sox vs. Astros picks

Severance is leaning over on the run total and he has discovered a critical X-factor that has him jumping all over one side of the money line. He’s sharing that Astros vs. White Sox ALDS Game 1 pick only at SportsLine.

So who wins White Sox vs. Astros in the 2021 ALDS Game 1? And what critical X-factor makes one side of the money line a must-back? Visit SportsLine now to see which side of the money line to jump on, all from the MLB expert who has a 33-14 record in his past 47 picks involving the White Sox, and find out.

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