Astros ALDS Game 1: How To Watch, Odds, What To Watch For

HOUSTON, TX — The Houston Astros open postseason play with Game 1 of their American League Division Series against the Chicago White Sox on Thursday afternoon at Minute Maid Park.

The Astros went 5-2 against the White Sox during the regular season, but the two teams haven't played since the first series after the All Star Break in mid-July.

The Astros announced Lance McCullers Jr. (13-5, 3.16 ERA) will start the opening game of the series, while the White Sox will counter with Lance Lynn (11-6, 2.69 ERA).

Here's what you need to know for Astros-White Sox on Thursday. Betting lines are from DraftKings sportsbook.

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How To Watch

• First pitch: 3:07 p.m. Thursday
• TV: Fox Sports 1
  • Xfinity: Ch. 114
  • Spectrum: Ch. 74
  • DISH: Ch. 150
  • DirecTV: Ch. 219
• Radio: Sportstalk 790 AM/94.5 FM; KTRH 740 AM/99.1 FM; ESPN Radio (Sirius XM 80); TUDN 93.3 FM/1010 AM (Spanish broadcast)

Odds (DraftKings Sportsbook)

• Moneyline: Astros -145; White Sox +125
• Run line: Astros -1.5; White Sox +1.5
• Run line: Over 8 -105; Under 8 -115
• Moneyline (to win series): Astros -130; White Sox +110
• Futures - World Series Champion: Astros +450; White Sox +700

What To Watch For

The Astros were second in Major League Baseball in team on-base plus slugging during the regular season, posting a .784 OPS. Houston was first in on-base percentage at .339. The Astros' prowess at the plate helped them to a league-leading 863 runs scored, making them an elite offense by any measure.

Houston had no trouble putting up runs against the White Sox during the regular season, averaging five per game and outscoring Chicago 35-23 across seven games.

In his lone start against the Astros this season, Lynn gave up six earned runs in four innings, far worse than his sparkling 2.69 ERA in the regular season. McCullers had little trouble against a strong White Sox offense in two starts, allowing just three earned runs over 13 innings with 14 strikeouts.

The Astros can gain a significant advantage not only for Game 1 but the series if they can get to Lynn quickly and force Chicago to deploy an elite bullpen featuring Liam Hendriks, Craig Kimbrel and Ryan Tepera earlier than it wants.