A stretch that saw the Chicago White Sox drop eight of 12 games and had fans calling for the ouster of manager Tony LaRussa was silenced for the time being following a three-game sweep of Detroit where the Sox outscored the Tigers 27-6.
Viewed as the best team in the AL Central at the start of the season, hard times on the injury front have befallen Chicago with a number of players still awaiting their return. It was assumed the Sox would go on a roll once healthy, but that time may never come with the revolving door to the trainer’s room still open. The Sox and AL West leading Houston Astros wrap up a weekend set on Sunday Night Baseball with the hosts running Cristian Javier to the bump.
Chicago White Sox vs Houston Astros Date & Time
The AL matchup between the Chicago White Sox and Houston Astros takes place on Sunday, June 19, 2022 at 7:08 p.m. ET from Minute Maid Park. The game will air live on ESPN with betting options for every game on the 2022 MLB schedule available at BookMaker.eu.
Chicago White Sox vs Houston Astros Odds
Chicago White Sox (Check Back Later)
Houston Astros (Check Back Later)
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Season So Far
The just completed series with the Tigers was welcome relief for the Sox reducing some of the panic that had set in over the weeks. We can’t say they’re out of the woods yet though doing the same against the Astros might get us there. Despite all that they’ve been through on the injury front, the Sox are still a threat in the AL Central with no team distancing itself from the pack.
Sweeping Detroit could be a turning point in their season. The Sox put up big numbers offensively racking up 22 hits and 13 runs in Wednesday’s shutout. They also got two starters back to bolster the rotation. Still, it hasn’t been a pretty sight on the mound with relievers picking up a lot of innings over the last few weeks. In a seven-game stretch that ended Wednesday the pen logged 42.2 of the 66 innings pitched. The offense has picked up the pace averaging 8.43 runs and cashing the OVER six times in seven games ahead of the weekend.
The Astros may have gotten too comfortable with their big lead in the AL West dropping home series to Seattle and Miami and losing the first of a three-game set to Texas. That little 2-5 stretch quickly ended with a pair of wins over the Rangers to close that series. Despite that little funk Houston has a huge cushion in the division while quietly putting together the second-best record in the AL at 39-24.
Including their four-game series win in the ALDS, Houston won eight of 11 games with the White Sox last season, including all six at Minute Maid Park outscoring Chicago 42-13 in those games. They are 8-4 against the OVER in the last 12 meetings.
Probable Pitchers
The Sox got Lance Lynn and Vince Velasquez back in the rotation with both pitching in the Detroit series. Sunday’s spot belongs to Michael Kopech, however, it’s unknown if he’ll be ready to pitch after leaving his last start in the first inning with knee discomfort after throwing only 13 pitches. LaRussa said Kopech might be able to pitch on Sunday. Kopech (2-2, 1.92 ERA) agreed. “We’re going to take it day by day but it’s looking like I can be back out there soon,” he said.
Kopech is the anchor of a staff that’s dealt with injuries and poor performance much of the season. He allowed two runs or less in eight of his previous 10 starts and was coming off one of his best outings. In his win over the Dodgers, Kopech tossed six innings of one-hit shutout ball striking out eight. And two starts before that he blanked the powerful Yankees on one hit over 7.0 frames. If Kopech is unable to go we’ll most likely see a bullpen game.
Cristian Javier (3-3, 3.20 ERA) is slated to take the bump for the Astros. The fireballing righty is looking to find his spot with the team after pitching in relief most of last season. He opened in the pen this year making three appearances before moving to the rotation. He matched his longest outing last start going six innings against Texas allowing two runs on five hits with seven punchouts.
His third start of the season was a disaster giving up seven runs and eight hits over 3.2 innings in a loss to Washington. He’s been good in five starts since posting a 3.20 ERA with 33 strikeouts over 25.1 innings. Command has been an issue with nearly 3.5 BB/9. Javier is facing the White Sox for the first time in his career.
Chicago White Sox vs Houston Astros Predictions
The Sox desperately needed Thursday off after their bullpen was taxed. And making things worse is closer Liam Hendricks going on the IL. We don’t know if Kopech is healthy enough to start and that plays a big role in handicapping this one. Either way the Astros have been strong all season finding ways to win games, and they’ll do it again on Sunday night.
Prediction: Houston Astros / OVER
