It can be assured that Chicago White Sox fans have a bit of a hatred for the Houston Astros. The Astros are the team that eliminated the White Sox from the playoffs last year and this is the first time that these two teams have met since then.
There will be a sense of revenge coming from the Sox and their fans as they hope that Chicago earns at least a couple of victories over the Astros in the upcoming series.
Friday marks the first game of a three-game series against the Astros in Houston. The White Sox will be putting their best foot forward when it comes to pitching in this series as they have one of their best heading to the mound for the first one.
Lucas Giolito will start off the series Friday night by going up against Framber Valdez. Giolito has himself an ERA of 3.88 and a record of 4-2. He’s recorded a total of 70 strikeouts. Valdez comes in with a record of 6-3, 61 strikeouts, and a 2.64 ERA. This should be a great match-up and one that leans slightly towards favoring the White Sox.
Of course, Giolito is going to need to get some help from his offense so let’s hope they continue the hot streak they have been on and produce some runs. They are going to need a lot of them against this potent Astros offense.
Saturday’s late afternoon game will feature Johnny Cueto against Justin Verlander. Cueto comes into the game with a record of 0-3, an ERA of 3.53, and 28 strikeouts. Verlander comes in with a record of 8-2, an ERA of 1.94, and 78 strikeouts.
It looks like the advantage in this one goes to Verlander but if the White Sox avoids letting the game get out of hand and Cueto does a decent job keeping Houston quiet, the White Sox might win this game.
Of the three games on the slate this weekend, the second game looks like it might be the most difficult for the White Sox to win because of Verlander. Anything is possible.
The third and final game of the series takes place Sunday evening as the White Sox will send a pitcher yet to be determined up against Christian Javier. Javier has an ERA of 3.20, 63 strikeouts, and an ERA of 3.20.
It’s likely that we will see Michael Kopech on the mound in this one but that all depends on how well his knee is going after having it drained the other day. If he doesn’t go then it could be a bullpen day for the Sox. That can be either good or bad.
The Chicago White Sox needs to beat the best in order to become the best.
There are a couple of very winnable games for the White Sox in this series. With some revenge on their mind, as well as a desire to win to keep pace with the Minnesota Twins and the Cleveland Guardians, the White Sox just might get a series victory this weekend.
At the very least, winning one game will be important but two would be momentum building and three would be special.
Getting revenge on the team that ousted them from the playoffs last year would certainly be grand.