Chicago White Sox (93-68) vs. Houston Astros (95-67)
October 8, 2021 2:07 pm EDT
The Line: Houston Astros -127 / Chicago White Sox +107; Over/Under: -8.5
(Get latest betting odds)
The Chicago White Sox and the Houston Astros meet Friday in MLB ALDS Game 2 action from Minute Maid Park. This will be the second installment in a best-of-five playoffs set. In the series opener on Thursday, Houston struck first with a dominant win. Check back all season long for free MLB picks at Sports Chat Place.
Chicago had a strong run in the 2021 regular season, finishing 93-69 overall and a nice 53-28 at home. In their first postseason action during Thursday’s ALDS Game 1, the Sox gave up five runs in the first four innings during an eventual 6-1 defeat. Starter Lance Lynn put up 3.2 innings with five earned runs on six hits and two walks.
For the starter gig in Friday’s Game 2, the White Sox are going with Lucas Giolito. In his 178.2 innings this year Giolito has 145 hits, 74 runs (70 earned), 27 homers, 52 walks, 201 Ks and a 3.53 ERA.
Over on the Astros’ side, they put together a strong regular season in 2021 as well. Houston finished 95-67 overall and won the American League West by five games. On Thursday, Houston put up 10 hits in the victory. Lance McCullers put up 6.2 clean innings with four hits, four Ks and no walks.
The Astros will send Framber Valdez to the mound in the Game 2 start. This year in his 22 starts Valdez went 11-6 with a 3.14 ERA and 125 Ks in 134.2 innings of work.
The White Sox are 4-0 in their last four Friday games and 6-1 in the last seven overall. Chicago is 2-5 in the last seven playoff games and 1-4 in their last five road playoff games.
Meanwhile, the Astros are 46-21 in their last 67 Friday games and 152-74 in their last 226 home games. Houston is also 2-5 in their last seven in game two of a series.
PICK: I’m probably going to stick with the Astros in Game 2. That’s somewhat dependent on Valdez having a good start, though. He’s coming off an up-and-down appearance versus the A’s on October 1, finishing on 5.0 innings with four earned, four hits and a walk during a loss. Over his last seven starts Valdez is 3-2 with a 3.09 ERA and 15 earned runs in 43.2 innings. If all goes well Valdez shouldn’t have a whole lot of trouble while he’s out there, but Chicago could make things interesting if they get the bats going early. Giolito should hold it down on the other side as well. I like this one to be a lower-scoring, tight game—especially early.
