Everything has gone according to plan for both the Chicago White Sox and the Houston Astros this season, as the two teams won their respective divisions to secure a spot in the playoffs. Now, the White Sox and Astros do battle in one half of the American League Divisional Series, which begins this Thursday afternoon at Minute Maid Park. Which side will gain an early advantage with a win in the series-opening showdown?

Nitrobetting is here to deliver the latest Major League Baseball news and coverage from the 2021 MLB playoffs and beyond. This time, let’s take a look at the opening bout between the Chicago White Sox and the Houston Astros in Game 1 of the ALDS. Be on top of all the developments by tuning in to the MLB odds, previews, and predictions for all the exciting postseason baseball action ahead. Be sure to check out for our Baseball betting odds and daily sports betting odds and lines at our online crypto sportsbook!

White Sox vs. Astros 2021 MLB ALDS Game 1 Information

• When: Thursday, October 7, 2021, 4:07 PM ET
• Where: Minute Maid Park, Houston, Texas
• TV: FS1, FS1-INT
• Radio: WLS-AM 890 (White Sox) // 790AM KBME (Astros)
• Live Stream: MLB.tv
• MLB Odds: White Sox (+152) / Astros (-182)

READ MORE: Red Sox vs. Rays 2021 MLB ALDS Game 1 Odds, Preview, and Prediction

Why bet on the Chicago White Sox?

With wins in six of their last seven regular-season games, the Chicago White Sox are entering the postseason in fantastic shape. Hall of Famer manager Tony La Russa has the Windy City franchise riding high towards a 93-win campaign; the team’s first 90-win season since 2006.

There are plenty of tough outs to be found in the White Sox’s batting order. Unfortunately, their biggest bat, former AL MVP Jose Abreu, is questionable to play in Game 1 dealing with non-COVID flu-like symptoms. That being said, The Sox have to count on their stellar pitching that finished second in the AL in ERA to win the series opener.

Luckily, All-Star righty Lance Lynn (11-6, 2.69 ERA) is slated to take the mound on Thursday. Lynn has a decent 5-4 record and ERA of 4.80 in 26-career postseason games, as he’ll look to bounce back from his six-run, four-inning stinker of an outing against the Astros in his only start against the NL West champs this season.

Why bet on the Houston Astros?

It’s been 16 years since the Houston Astros were swept by the White Sox in the 2005 World Series, back when Houston was still in the National League. The Astros now have a chance for redemption with a stacked offense that led the American League in batting average in the 2021 regular season.

Carlos Correa is having one of his best seasons in the majors and will receive some votes for AL MVP in the process. The other pieces from Houston’s maligned 2019 run to the World Series are also playing at a high level, with the likes of Jose Altuve, Alex Bregman, and Yordan Alvarez all getting things done without any controversy.

But what matters most for the Astros is winning Game 1. They’ll counter Chicago’s Lynn with a Lance of their own in Lance McCullers Jr. (13-5, 3.16 ERA). McCullers bagged two wins against the White Sox this season, allowing just three runs whilst striking out 14 White Sox batters in 13 combined innings of work.

White Sox vs. Astros MLB Betting Trends

• The White Sox are 4-2 in their last six road games.
• The Sox won five straight contests before losing their final game of the regular season.
• The run totals have gone under in six of the White Sox’s last nine games in general.
• The Astros went 5-2 against Chicago this season, along with a four-game sweep of the White Sox in mid-June.
• The Astros are just 4-5 in the last nine games wherein they were favored to win.
• The totals have gone under in six of Houston’s last seven postseason games.

White Sox vs. Astros Series Betting Prediction

Considering McCullers’ success against the White Sox earlier this season and the tentative status of Abreu for Game 1, Houston seems to have a huge edge over Chicago this Thursday. On the other hand, the Sox also have good enough momentum on the road to close out the regular season to instill a little more confidence for their backers counting on them to pull off the upset against baseball’s biggest villain of the past half-decade.

READ MORE: 2021 World Series Odds Update (Oct. 2021)

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*All odds stated are subject to change without prior notice.