ODDS ANALYSIS
Interestingly the last opponent for both teams before the series started was the Baltimore Orioles. The Sox split a makeup doubleheader Thursday while Houston lost the rubber game of a three-game set Wednesday. You might remember 10 seasons ago Chicago swept Houston to win its first World Series title in 88 years.
Continuing their 11-game road trip the Sox enter the weekend 2-3 through the first five games and 9-15 overall. The Sox are down 5.37 units on the moneyline in their 24 away games and overall they are 16-30 in the red 20.9 units on the runline.
The Astros have been a surprise holding down the AL’s best record for much of the season making them extremely profitable at the betting window. The Astros are in the black 12.45 units overall on the moneyline. While the under is 15-9-1 in Houston’s 25 home games, the over has cashed five times in the last six starts made by Roberto Hernandez.
PITCHING MATCHUP
Chicago’s John Danks (2-4, 5.69 ERA) gave up six runs on seven hits in five innings at Toronto on Tuesday. He was lucky to escape with a no-decision as the Sox dropped a 10-9 decision. The lefty has struggled most of the season pitching beyond the sixth inning twice in his nine starts and has allowed three or more earned runs seven times.
Danks has been awful against Houston in his career going 0-3 with a 9.15 ERA and 2.03 WHIP giving up 34 hits and eight home runs in 20.2 innings. He was tagged for 12 hits and seven runs in 4.1 innings in his last outing against the Astros.
Roberto Hernandez (2-3, 4.77 ERA) surrendered seven runs in five innings but got a no-decision when the Astros beat the Tigers. He allowed nine hits and failed to hold a three-run first inning lead, but his mates rallied. His spot in the rotation could be tenuous if he doesn’t pitch better.
Hernandez, formerly known as Fausto Carmona, has faced the Sox 19 times with 17 starts over his career, mostly during his time with Central Division foe Cleveland, and is 9-6 with a 5.60 ERA. He’s allowed 14 home runs over 99.2 innings.
QUOTE TO NOTE
“We didn’t play perfectly; we don’t have to. I love the way our guys compete and I’m proud of the effort. Get home to Houston and continue playing well. If we haven’t figured this out by now, our guys are going to fight to the end and they’re going to play the whole game.” – Astros manager AJ Hinch
LIVE BETTING or SITUATIONAL BETTING
You can’t blame the White Sox for looking ahead to a day off on Monday and that might factor into how they play this game. The Sox had a scheduled off day for travel on Thursday – they did travel but it wasn’t off. The Sox and Orioles played a double-header to make up the games postponed from April due to riots in downtown Baltimore. So the Sox will play their 18th game in 17 days when they take the field Sunday, travelling from Toronto to Baltimore Wednesday and then to Houston Thursday night. “Supposed to be an off day for us,” manager Robin Ventura said. “It is what it is. Now we’re all tired.”
PROP TALK
Houston’s Evan Gattis takes the all-or-nothing approach when he steps into the batters box. Gattis is hitting just .218 entering the weekend and got there with a three-hit game at Baltimore to end a road trip. He swatted his 10th home run of the season against the Orioles and 20 of his 36 hits have been for extra-bases. Sox starter John Danks has surrendered nine homers on the year in 49 innings and Gattis has hit seven of his 10 at Minute Maid Park. This is the perfect storm and Gattis goes yard off Danks.
ANALYSIS AND PREDICTION
Houston leads the majors in home runs and Chicago starter John Danks has surrendered 62 of them over the last three seasons. The Astros are a strong team at home; the White Sox have struggled on the road. The Sox are finishing up a tough stretch of games and travel that had them play 18 times over 17 days while the Astros enjoyed a day off before opening this series in their yard.
In other words it doesn’t look good for the White Sox. But the Astros have been vulnerable recently and Roberto Hernandez hasn’t exactly been stellar, so we’re saying there’s a chance for the Sox. However, Houston’s bullpen has been very good and they will shut the Sox down after Hernandez exits.
Houston 7, Chicago 5
The MLB lines for this contest will first be released by BookMaker Sportsbook. BookMaker is going to have multiple betting options available for this nationally-televised baseball matchup. Live wagering during commercials offers an adjusted moneyline, individual inning run totals and next hitter results. Log in and start gambling during the game now!
Access live betting lines from your mobile device at BookMaker Sportsbook! You can wager on sporting events as they unfold on television with BookMaker’s live betting platform. Real-time spreads, totals, props and moneyline odds are all available by clicking here so start betting with BookMaker today! The ballgame pitting the Chicago White Sox versus the Houston Astros will commence Sunday, May 31, 2015, at 2:10 p.m. ET at Minute Maid Park. You can watch the contest live on the MLB Network.
