With continued success brings change, which is the spot the defending World Series champion Astros are in as they head into Opening Day 2023 without Justin Verlander, who is off to the Mets. Change is not always loss though as one of Houston’s biggest offseason signings Jose Abreu gets to square off against his former team the White Sox right out of the gates.
Before Betting on Opening Day White Sox vs Astros
Chicago has some change coming into the season, and they feel it will be for the better replacing 78 year old Tony LaRussa at manager with Pedro Grifol. The Sox do lose Abreu though, the 2014 Rookie of the Year and the 2020 MVP so somebody will have to step up in a leadership role in the clubhouse.
Houston is transitioning out of the Verlander era and have handed the ball over to Framber Valdez for Opening Day. Valdez was great last year going 17-6 with a 2.82 ERA, finishing 5th in AL Cy Young Award voting. Valdez won both of his starts vs. the White Sox last season.
The White Sox go with Dylan Cease on Opening Day in Houston, with the right-hander coming off a 14-8, 2.20 ERA season. Cease is on the up-and-up in his career, but may not get a ton of run support on Thursday in a game with an O/U of 7.
Chicago vs Houston MLB Offshore Betting Odds
| Offshore Sportsbook | Moneyline | Total | Run Line |
|---|---|---|---|
| BetOnline | SOX (2.41) | Astros (1.65) | 7 | Sox +1.5 (1.67) | Astros -1.5 (2.40) |
| Bovada | SOX (2.34) | Astros (1.63) | 7 | Sox +1.5 (1.63) | Astros -1.5 (2.35) |
| BetUS | SOX (2.37) | Astros (1.6) | 7.5 | Sox +1.5 (1.61) | Astros -1.5 (2.45) |
| SportsBetting.ag | SOX (2.41) | Astros (1.65) | 7 | Sox +1.5 (1.67) | Astros -1.5 (2.40) |
| Pinnacle | SOX (2.36) | Astros (1.68) | 7 | Sox +1.5 (1.62) | Astros -1.5 (2.46) |
| MyBookie | SOX (2.29) | Astros (1.63) | 7 | Sox +1.5 (1.58) | Astros -1.5 (2.39) |
Opening Day White Sox vs Astros Prediction & Pick
The defending World Series champions get their rings on Thursday, and the White Sox will oblige in the celebration. Chicago will be in the hunt for a division title just because the AL Central is so bad, but they aren’t going into Minute Maid Park and getting a win on Opening Day.
