MLB Baseball
2021-10-12 - Houston Astros at Chicago White Sox
A Sports Betting Pick by FirstDown
United States : Major League Baseball PlayOff Divisional Round
Tuesday 12th October 2021 - Scheduled 1:07pm
6:07pm (British Time)
Preview
It looked like this Divisional Round Series was going to be completed on Sunday as the Houston Astros led Game 3 with a 2-0 lead behind them. Some big hits from the Chicago White Sox were able to turn things around and there have been suggestions that the Astros have stolen signs, but the White Sox have to make sure they remain focused and give themselves a chance for one more shot to win a game in Houston before the end of this season.
The only way a Game 5 back in Houston will be needed is if Chicago can hold serve at home again, but it is a tough ask for a team that would have invested plenty into winning Game 3. They will be turning to a pitcher who has played really well in 2021, but the White Sox will have to keep Carlos Rodon on a pretty short leash after there were concerns about his arm strength down the stretch.
Carlos Rodon has a 13-5 record and a 2.37 ERA for the Chicago White Sox and this has easily been the best season of his career. However, Rodon has not pitched since the end of September so he can rest his arm and make sure he has something left in the PlayOffs.
In two starts against the Houston Astros, Carlos Rodon has allowed a single run in 14 Innings thrown, although it should be noted that the White Sox are 1-1 in those starts. Carlos Rodon has had a strong career pitching against the Houston Astros in seven previous starts against them, but he did give up two runs in less than a single relief Inning in Rodon's sole PlayOff appearance last season.
Houston will try and counter with Jose Urquidy and hope they can end this Series without the pressure of a Game 5 decider. Their starting pitcher has a 8-3 record with a 3.62 ERA in 2021 having started twenty games so far this season.
Jose Urquidy may be unbeaten in his last ten starts for the Houston Astros, but he can be thankful to his batting line up. He has given up at least two runs in five of his last six starts, while Jose Urguidy gave up two runs in 7 completed Innings against the Chicago White Sox earlier this season and was given the decision win.
The Houston pitcher has considerably more PlayOff experience than his opponent and Jose Urquidy is pitching in the post-season for the ninth time. He has started four of the previous eight appearances and Jose Urquidy held teams to a single run in three of the four PlayOff games he played in last season.
Chicago have won their last three home games against the Houston Astros.
Prediction
There are some questions about both starting pitchers going to the mound, but the ones surrounding Carlos Rodon have to be worrying for the Chicago White Sox fans.
His struggles down the stretch means Carlos Rodon has not been asked to throw too many balls of late and he will be on a short leash.
Jose Urquidy has been a little inconsistent at times, but he has plenty of PlayOff experience and the Houston Astros may be able to bounce back from a poor outing on Sunday. The White Sox will be confident, but Houston may have a slight edge on the mound.
EDIT Monday Evening Update- Game 3 has been postponed and the rescheduled game will now feature Lance McCullers Jr taking on Carlos Rodon.
Unsurprisingly the odds have gotten tighter, but I think the experience of McCullers Jr is still worth backing Houston as the narrow underdog
The Pick :
Chicago White Sox 4-5 Houston Astros
FIXED ODDS BETTING TIP :
I'll back Houston Astros to Win at +110 with Intertops
