I'm backing the home team with my White Sox vs. Astros predictions and MLB picks for Game 2 of the AL Wild Card Series today at 5 p.m. ET on Peacock.
The bad news is it's do-or-die for the Houston Astros against the Chicago White Sox. The good news is they're sending ace Hunter Brown to the hill, and he's pitched as well as almost anybody in the majors leading up to this game.
I'm expecting another excellent performance from the right-hander at Daikin Park on Wednesday, Sept. 30.
TOP PICK
White Sox vs. Astros prediction: Houston Astros
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I’m on the Houston Astros to 62%.
Hunter Brown was flat-out elite in September, posting a 2.27 xFIP while striking out nearly 13 batters per nine innings.
He did an outstanding job keeping the ball down, inducing grounders at a better than 62% clip. His ability to put the ball in the dirt will help him navigate a powerful Chicago White Sox lineup.
Sean Burke limped to the finish line. His 4.79 xFIP in September is cause for concern, as is his 11.7% walk rate.
The Astros are the better bet to grind out runs.
COVERS INTEL: Brown sits in the 97th percentile in ground-ball rate this season. He's well-equipped to take the air out of Chicago's at-bats and neutralize their home run prowess.
White Sox vs. Astros combo
I love Houston’s chances of evening this series, so I’m double-dipping with the Astros as the first leg of this combo, and piggybacking with the Under on Brown’s earned runs. He allowed only seven hits over his last three regular-season starts, and will get the hook if and when he runs into trouble.
The two legs correlate nicely. If Brown keeps runs off the board, the Astros have a great chance of earning the win.
Jeremy Pena is a hit machine who piled up 11 hits over eight regular-season meetings with the White Sox.
White Sox vs. Astros combo
- Houston Astros moneyline
- Hunter Brown Under 1.5 earned runs
- Jeremy Pena Over 0.5 hits
White Sox vs. Astros player prop: Hunter Brown Over 14.5 outs
Brown faced the White Sox twice in the regular season. He completed at least six innings in both starts, combining for 13 innings while allowing just two runs.
He has an encouraging track record against Chicago and enters at the top of his game. The Astros will let him chew up innings and pitch deep as long as he gives them reason to.
If all else is equal, they want to try to preserve the bullpen for a potential Game 3.
White Sox vs. Astros weather
This game will be played indoors.
White Sox vs. Astros odds
- Moneyline: White Sox 42% | Astros 59%
- Run line: White Sox +1.5 (63%) | Astros -1.5 (39%)
- Over/Under: Over 7.5 (50%) | Under 7.5 (50%)
White Sox vs. Astros trend
Houston is 5-0 in Brown's last five starts against the AL Central. Find more MLB betting trends for White Sox vs. Astros.
How to watch White Sox vs. Astros and game info
| Location | Daikin Park, Houston, Texas |
| Date | Wednesday, Sept. 30, 2026 |
| First pitch | 5 p.m. ET |
| TV | Peacock |
| White Sox starting pitcher | Sean Burke (11-7, 3.34 ERA) |
| Astros starting pitcher | Hunter Brown (6-4, 3.19 ERA) |
White Sox vs. Astros latest injuries
Odds are correct at the time of publishing and are subject to change.
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