Houston will try to extend their eight-game run with three more wins against the Chicago White Sox.
The Astros have three games against the Chicago White Sox at Minute Maid Park starting tonight at 7:10 PM CT.
Houston returns home on an eight-game winning streak to face the Chicago White Sox three times. It’s the second and final series this year between the two teams. Houston won two-of-three in Chicago from June 18 through June 20. In the series finale, Houston won 5-3 behind three-hit games from Alex Bregman and Yordan Alvarez. Spencer Arrighetti earned no decision, while Taylor Scott (3-2, 1.69) earned the victory in relief. Josh Hader pitched the ninth for his 11th save. Alvarez (15) also went deep.
I’ve been seeing it for a while. Yordan, how big he is, the difference he makes in our lineup when he’s around, he’s a game-changing player. He made a statement right off the bat. — Joe Espada on Alvarez
Houston just completed a 10-game road-trip, winning nine of them and including the final eight. In the series finale against the Rays on Wednesday, the Astros took 10 innings to defeat Tampa Bay by a 2-1 final score. Ronel Blanco earned no decision, striking out four and allowing two hits and no walks over six innings. Josh Hader (5-6, 3.48) pitched the ninth and 10th without allowing a baserunner, striking out three. Mauricio Dubón’s 10th-inning RBI-single was the eventual game-winner, and only Houston’s second hit of the game.
We took care of business. We beat some really good teams on the road and we played really well. Close game. Another one-run ballgame. Well-pitched, made plays when we needed to and some big hits when we had to. Big win. — Espada
The White Sox are historically bad this season, and have lost 26-of-28. Despite that, they took the opener against the New York Yankees before losing the final two. On Wednesday, the Bombers won 10-2 behind homers from Juan Soto (34), Aaron Judge (43) and Austin Wells (9). Dominic Leone (0-2, 6.63) earned the loss.
Obviously it got a little out of hand in this game, but every other game I felt like we were in it and really gave ourselves a shot to win. So it’s been fun the last four days. — Andrew Benintendi
Standings
Houston Astros: 65-55, .542, first in the AL West, three games ahead of the Seattle Mariners. Sixth in the American League, a half-game behind the fifth-place Kansas City Royals. Eleventh in MLB. On pace for 88-74. Last 10: WLWWWWWWWW. Fangraphs projects 88-74 with an 84.3 percent chance at making the postseason.
Chicago White Sox: 29-93, .238, fifth in the AL Central, 43 1⁄2 games behind the Cleveland Guardians. Fifteenth in the American League and 30th in MLB, 17 games behind the second-to-worst Colorado Rockies. On pace for 39-121. Last 10: LLLWLLLWLL. Fangraphs projects 45-117 with a non-zero chance of making the playoffs, (but not much higher than zero).
GameTimes and Starting Pitchers
Friday, 7:10 PM CT: Garrett Crochet (6-9, 3.65) vs. Spencer Arrighetti (5-10, 5.14)
Saturday, 6:10 PM CT: Chris Flexen (2-11, 5.34) vs. Hunter Brown (10-7, 3.96)
Sunday, 1:10 PM CT: Cy Bush (0-1, 5.19) vs. Framber Valdez (12-5, 3.38)
Heroes and Zeroes (five highest and lowest collective WPA versus the Tampa Bay Rays)
Heroes
Josh Hader 74.4
Ronel Blanco 36.4
Tayler Scott 21.3
Mauricio Dubón 20.9
Yusei Kikuchi 19.5
Zeroes
Bryan Abreu -10.4
Jake Meyers -10.4
Chas McCormick -17.1
Jose Altuve -18.4
Zach Dezenzo -23.8