Chicago White Sox at Houston Astros: 5 Bold Predictions

May 14, 2014; Oakland, CA, USA; Chicago White Sox shortstop Alexei Ramirez (10) turns a double play against Oakland Athletics third baseman Josh Donaldson (20) during the ninth inning at O.co Coliseum. The Chicago White Sox defeated the Oakland Athletics 4-2. Mandatory Credit: Ed Szczepanski-USA TODAY Sports

This weekend, the Chicago White Sox face the Houston Astros for three games, as the White Sox are coming off a win on Wednesday against the Oakland Athletics, along with an off day on Thursday.

For the White Sox, they enter this series with an overall record of 20-22, seven games behind the AL Central first-place Detroit Tigers. The Astros are 14-27 on the year, 11 games behind the AL West-leading Athletics.

As for the White Sox, if they struggle this series, then a lot of changes need to be made. The Astros aren’t just a young team, they are a VERY young team that will improve with time.

The White Sox have yet to sweep a series this season or win a series on the road, unless you count the two wins at Wrigley Field earlier this month. Chicago has also split a series on the road this season at Detroit.

Chicago has won two of their past seven games.

May 14, 2014; Oakland, CA, USA; Chicago White Sox designated hitter Jose Abreu (79, left) and shortstop Alexei Ramirez (10, right) hug after Abreu hit a three run home run against the Oakland Athletics during the eighth inning at O.co Coliseum. The Chicago White Sox defeated the Oakland Athletics 4-2. Mandatory Credit: Ed Szczepanski-USA TODAY Sports

Here are my “5 Bold Predictions.” I’m not saying they are the absolute boldest predictions or will be correct, but they are my bold predictions for this series.

Let us know what your predictions are for this series.

1. Adam Eaton will return Sunday and hit a home run
If Eaton does return to the lineup on Sunday (which is a possibility), he will give the spark the White Sox need in this lineup, as they are lacking some sort of energy, and maybe Eaton is the guy to do so.

This season, Eaton has one home run in 25 games played.

Adam Eaton could return Sunday

2. Alejandro De Aza will be the player of the series for the White Sox
Even though he’s batting just 1.84 on the season, with a .237 on-base percentage, this could be the series that will get him out of this rut.

This series lines up well for De Aza, because they are facing a group of young players who are trying to improve at the big league level. This is the perfect opportunity for De Aza to improve his overall numbers and maybe get hot at the plate.

3. How about this … the White Sox sweep the series
This is bold because the White Sox couldn’t even sweep, much less win, a series against the Arizona Diamondbacks earlier this month. The White Sox haven’t swept a three-game or four-game series all season and have a losing record on the road.

This is the time for the White Sox to prove they are capable of actually sweeping a series against a team with just 14 wins on the season.

4. Conor Gillaspie will have at least two hits in each game played this series
In however many games Gillaspie plays in this series, he’ll get at least two hits in those games, plus as an added bonus, he won’t have a zero-hit night.

In five of the last six games played, Gillaspie has at least one hit in five of those games, going 0-for-3 against the Diamondbacks on May 11. On May 14, he went 3-for-4, and the rest of those games he had one hit.

With those stats, Gillaspie will take the next step and gain multi-hit games in however many games he plays this weekend.