The Houston Astros and Chicago White Sox will play the third game of a four-game series on Wednesday night in a potential playoff preview.
Despite winning the first two games of the series, the White Sox are home underdogs on Wednesday with a moneyline of +125, while Houston’s moneyline is set at -145. The game also has an over/under of eight runs.
With Tuesday’s win, the White Sox are now rocking a five-game winning streak. It’s one of the few genuine signs of momentum the Sox have created this season, as they were sitting at .500 before the streak began. Those five wins have taken Chicago within one game of the lead in the AL Central and one game of a Wild Card spot.
As for the Astros, they have no pressure on them whatsoever right now. Despite going 5-5 in their last ten games, Houston has a commanding 11-game lead atop the AL West.
Of course, the Astros still need to focus on holding off the Yankees for the best record in the American League, which comes with home-field advantage in the playoffs.
A Perfect Dozen
Lefty Framber Valdez will go for his 12th win of the season on Wednesday. In 22 starts for the Astros this season, Valdez is 11-3 with a 2.73 ERA and a 1.13 WHIP, having a brilliant season despite being overshadowed by Justin Verlander.
Valdez is coming off seven scoreless innings against the Rangers in his last start and has helped the Astros win four of his last five starts.
Of course, the Astros have scored just five runs over the first two games of their series with the White Sox. On the other hand, the Astros had scored at least six runs in five of their previous six games, so Houston’s lineup can catch fire in a hurry.
Alex Bregman and Kyle Tucker, in particular, have been swinging hot bats lately, helping to make up for Jose Altuve’s slump and Yordan Alvarez cooling off.
Mike’s Show
Michael Kopech will get a chance to continue Chicago’s win streak on Wednesday. The young righty is 4-8 with a 3.18 ERA and a 1.18 WHIP over his first 21 starts of the season.
He threw six shutout innings against the Tigers in his last start, and the White Sox have won four of the last six games Kopech has started despite struggling with him on the mound for most of the season.
Of course, the Chicago lineup isn’t exactly clicking on all cylinders right now, averaging a modest 4.2 runs per game during the team’s five-game winning streak.
Tim Anderson is on the IL, which isn’t helping, while the White Sox aren’t showing much power lately. However, Yasmani Grandal and Jose Abreu have come alive lately, with AJ Pollock and Eloy Jimenez also starting to come around.
Ride the Wave
Chicago’s pitching has been good lately, and there’s every reason to think that will continue with Kopech on the mound. As mentioned, the Astros haven’t been at their best lately.
Even if Houston losing three in a row seems unlikely, the White Sox have all of the value as home underdogs on Wednesday.
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