Houston Astros vs Chi. White Sox Picks and Predictions August 18th 2024

From Minute Maid Park in Houston, we have an AL matchup between the White Sox and Astros. The Astros are the heavy favorite on the money line, with their odds sitting at -400, while the White Sox are at +320. The over/under line is currently 8 runs.

First pitch for Sunday’s matchup is set for 2:10 PM ET. Framber Valdez is starting for the Astros, while the White Sox are going with Ky Bush. Chicago is 5th in the AL Central, and they have a record of 30-94, while the Astros are 1st in the AL West at 66-56.

Ky Bush will be making his 3rd start of the season for the White Sox, and he is still looking for his first win. His first start was a loss to the Athletics, and he took a no-decision in his last start vs. the Yankees. Bush has yet to go 5 innings in a start this year, and he has given up 2 homers in 8 2/3 innings of work.

Chicago’s offense has been the worst in the league this season, averaging just 3.1 runs per game. They are also last in on-base percentage and OPS. Overall, they are batting just .220 and have the worst isolated power mark in the league. The White Sox are hoping that Andrew Vaughn and Luis Robert Jr. can keep up their power numbers, as they are tied for the team lead with 14 homers apiece.

Over his last eight games, Andrew Benintendi has gone 9/33 with three homers and six runs scored. This has raised his season-long batting average to just .216. Gavin Sheets has also been swinging a hot bat of late, going 15/32 in his last eight games.

Framber Valdez has been pitching well for the Astros, as he has won his last four starts. Most recently, he faced the Rays on August 12th, where he picked up the win, going 5 2/3 innings and giving up just one earned run. In that outing, he had nine strikeouts. Valdez’s record for the season is 12-5, and his ERA is 3.38. So far, he has made 21 starts, one of which was a complete game. Valdez has 12 quality starts this year and is averaging 8.4 strikeouts per nine innings. For the season, he has allowed 11 homers and is averaging 2.89 walks per nine innings.

Yordan Alvarez has been the Astros’ top power threat this season, as his 25 home runs are the best on the team and 11th in the league. He is also hitting .306, which is 3rd best on the team. Catcher Yainer Diaz has also been a big run producer for the Astros, as his 68 RBIs are the best on the team, and he is batting .296.

Over his last three games, Alex Bregman has gone 4/14 with two homers and two RBIs. Kyle Tucker and Mauricio Dubon are both on three-game hitting streaks coming into today’s game. Tucker is also tied for 2nd on the team with 19 homers and has 40 RBIs.

The Houston Astros are gearing up to take on the Chicago White Sox in the final game of their three-game series on Sunday. After a solid 6-1 victory on Saturday, the Astros are looking to keep their hot streak alive and strengthen their postseason position. All eyes will be on Framber Valdez, who’s been in incredible form, as he takes the mound for Houston.

Framber Valdez Leading the Charge

Framber Valdez has been a powerhouse for the Astros lately. With a 12-5 record and a 3.38 ERA, Valdez has been almost unbeatable, especially in his last nine starts where he’s gone 7-0 with a 2.68 ERA. The Astros have won all nine of those games, and Valdez has been racking up the strikeouts, fanning 34 batters over his last four starts with a 2.36 ERA during that stretch.

Valdez has had success against the White Sox in the past, posting a 2.93 ERA over seven career appearances. However, in their last meeting on June 18, he allowed two runs on just two hits but struggled with his control, walking five batters in a 2-0 loss. As he takes the mound on Sunday, Valdez will be looking to continue his recent dominance and shut down the White Sox.

Astros’ Optimism with Verlander and Tucker’s Return

The Astros could be getting even more good news soon. Veteran pitcher Justin Verlander is close to returning from the injured list after a successful rehab stint. Verlander, who has been out since June 16 with neck discomfort, is set to throw a bullpen session before Sunday’s game, signaling that he’s almost ready to rejoin the rotation.

Adding to the excitement, right fielder Kyle Tucker, who has missed 60 games with a right shin contusion, is also nearing a return. Tucker looked sharp in live batting practice on Saturday, hitting several pitches out of the park, which is a great sign for his imminent return to the lineup.

Astros manager Joe Espada shared his confidence in Tucker’s progress, saying, “He swings the bat, he’s able to rotate, and he was hitting some balls out. It’s fun to watch.”

White Sox Lean on Rookie Ky Bush Amid Bullpen Struggles

The White Sox, on the other hand, are dealing with some challenges, particularly in their bullpen, which has struggled with consistency and lacks clearly defined roles. Rookie left-hander Ky Bush will make his third career start on Sunday, hoping to give the White Sox a boost. Bush has shown promise in the minors, but his major league experience has been a bit rocky so far. In his last outing against the Yankees, he allowed two runs on six hits and seven walks over 4 2/3 innings.

As the White Sox continue to juggle their bullpen, interim manager Grady Sizemore acknowledged the difficulties: “We don’t really have a true set of guys in certain roles… We’re just going game to game with who’s available and who needs rest.”

Game Implications: Astros Poised to Continue Winning Streak

The Astros are looking to keep their momentum going and secure another series win, which would further solidify their postseason positioning. With Valdez on the mound and the potential return of key players like Verlander and Tucker, Houston is in a strong position to keep rolling.

For the White Sox, the focus will be on managing their bullpen effectively and seeing how rookie Ky Bush handles the powerful Astros lineup. This game is a chance for the White Sox to evaluate their young talent and bullpen arms as they look ahead to the future.

Astros Eyeing Another Win, White Sox Seeking Stability

As the Houston Astros and Chicago White Sox prepare to clash in the series finale, the stakes are clear. The Astros, led by the dominant Framber Valdez, are looking to extend their winning streak and solidify their lead in the AL West. Meanwhile, the White Sox will be relying on their rookie pitcher and a patchwork bullpen to try and stop Houston’s momentum. With the potential returns of Justin Verlander and Kyle Tucker on the horizon, the Astros are set for a strong finish to the series.

Looking at the Astros to come out on top in this one, and we are leaning towards taking them on the money line. As for how we would play the over/under line, we would go with the over, as this is our 2nd highest projected scoring game of the day. Houston’s offense has the 2nd best team hits projection, and Framber Valdez has the 6th best innings pitched projection among today’s starters.