10/25/2005 Tuesday's MLB Picks
Chicago White Sox +159 over Houston Astros (1.0 Units)
This is a very unpopular pick because everybody and their momma is jumping on the Astros. Coming home in a must-win down 2-0 and with Roy Oswalt on the mound who is 3-0 this postseason, everybody has every reason to love the Astros. Everybody believes this series is so close and so evenly matched that they are pounding the Astros in the hopes that it is a close series. The Cardinals were in the same position last year against a hot-streaking Red Sox team and we saw what happened to them. We went a perfect 4-0 in last year's World Series and would not be surprised with another win by the White Sox. If the Astros pulled out game 2 with a win, our pick would be with the Astros but we have to follow momentum in these playoffs. I also mentioned the fact that World Series home teams win about 66% of the time over the past 7 seasons but we are going against that notion. The White Sox are on a momentum high and are clearly the far superior team offensively, defensively, and pitching. Even though Interleague home favorites are really strong, NL interleague home favorites are actually not that great. Being a favorite or an underdog is highly decided by who is pitching, their record and their ERA. Buehrle is great and would have been dominant in the NL with a better ERA than Oswalt. He is not getting the respect he deserves nor are the White Sox as they are at +159. You also have to take into account the fact that Brad Lidge is a little tweaked, so is the entire Astros bullpen.

Chicago White Sox - Houston Astros UNDER 7 +100 (1.0 Units)
We are finally playing the over/under here. The DH and the US Cellular field weather contributed to two overs. Do not expect that trend to continue as we travel to Houston. In fact, we get to have the Under here at even money at most books. Oswalt and Buehrle are both playing dominant baseball right now. I would not be surprised with a 3-1 type of game 50/50 going either way.