Yordan Alvarez will be looking to extend his 31-game on-base streak as the Houston Astros (19-18) match up against the Chicago White Sox (13-26) at Guaranteed Rate Field on Friday for the first of a three-game series.
The Astros are kicking off the final series of their nine-game road trip. They won two out of three in their last series against the Angels, taking the finale 5-4 on Wednesday at Angel Stadium of Anaheim. Jeremy Pena was 2 for 4 with two RBIs.
The White Sox are back home for a nine-game homestand after finishing up a seven-game road trip (3-4). They lost three of four against the Royals in their last series, dropping the finale 4-3 on Thursday at Ewing M. Kauffman Stadium. Andrew Vaughn went 2 for 3 with one run and one RBI.
HEAD-TO-HEAD
The teams have split their games this season 2-2, as the White Sox evened the season series with a 6-3 victory in their most recent meeting on April 2 at Minute Maid Park. Mike Clevinger threw five scoreless innings – striking out eight – to get the win.
ON THE MOUND
J.P. France (0-0, 0.00 ERA) is slated to start for Houston. The RHP threw five scoreless innings in his last start, a 7-5 road defeat against the Mariners on Saturday. He gave up three hits while striking out five and walking one in the no-decision.
Righty Michael Kopech (1-3, 5.97 ERA) gets the ball for Chicago. It’s his first appearance of the season against the Astros. Kopech made two appearances against the Astros in 2022, both as the starter, striking out six and walking three over 11 innings (0-2, 5.73).
In his last start on Sunday, Kopech got the win on the road against the Reds. He threw six innings and gave up four runs on eight hits, striking out two and walking one in the 17-4 triumph.
AT THE PLATE
The Houston offense is averaging 4.4 runs per game for the season, with a slash line of .238/.306/.366. Alvarez leads the team in OPS at .946. The left fielder is slashing .283/.388/.558 with eight home runs, 34 RBIs, and 19 runs over 31 games.
Against right-handed pitchers like Kopech this season, the ‘Stros have a .650 OPS, fourth lowest in MLB. Alvarez also is the team’s strongest performer against right-handers with a .914 OPS in 72 at-bats.
Chicago is slashing .238/.302/.386 for the season and averaging 4.3 runs per game. Luis Robert Jr. leads the team with ann .815 OPS.
The center fielder has eight home runs, 23 RBIs, and 24 runs scored with a slash line of .254/.322/.493. Chicago is averaging 6.0 runs per game in the last five with a higher slash line (.261/.316/.426).
The Sox have a .676 OPS against right-handers in 2023. With a .797 OPS over 116 at-bats, Vaughn has been their best hitter against right-handers.
HOME AND AWAY
Houston is 11-7 away from Minute Maid Park in 2023, scoring 4.6 runs per game while allowing 3.6 runs. Chicago has gone 6-10 at Guaranteed Rate Field this season, averaging 4.6 runs per game while surrendering 7.1.
Chicago is 6-4 in the last 10 meetings at Guaranteed Rate Field despite an average scoreline favoring Houston (6.2-5.6).
STANDINGS UPDATE
The Astros are third in the AL West, three games behind the division-leading Rangers. The White Sox are fourth in the AL Central, seven games behind the Twins.
SportsTips’ NHL Pick:
Houston Astros (-150)
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*Odds correct at time of publication, courtesy of BetMGM.
