Astros hope another solid start on the mound against the White Sox.
Nearly three months into the season, the Houston Astros are in an unfamiliar situation.
Houston, nine games behind the American League West-leading Seattle Mariners, could be getting closer to finding its identity ahead of Thursday’s series finale against the host Chicago White Sox. The Astros seek to remain in contention for their ninth consecutive playoff participation.
Houston’s starting pitchers, Framber Valdez and Hunter Brown, allowed just three runs in the first two games of the series. Brown pitched six innings on Wednesday, giving up one run on seven hits and no walks while striking out six.
It was Houston’s third consecutive game of allowing two or fewer runs since a 13-5 loss to the Detroit Tigers on Saturday.
“He was really good, efficient,” Astros manager Joe Espada said of Brown. “He just keeps getting better and better each time he’s out there.”
Houston’s pitching staff has a 4.13 ERA, ranking 20th in the majors. The Astros’ starters have performed even worse, with a collective 4.48 ERA ranking 22nd.
On Thursday, rookie right-hander Spencer Arrighetti (3-6, 6.37 ERA) will aim to extend the Astros’ recent pitching success.
Arrighetti, who faces Chicago for the first time in his career, gave seven earned runs in 1 1/3 innings against the Tigers on Saturday.
Houston got an unexpected offensive lift on Wednesday. Cesar Salazar drove in two runs on two hits in only his second game of the season, after catcher Victor Caratini exited in the third inning due to calf discomfort.
“It’s just due to the preparation,” Salazar explained. “Our coaches do an excellent job of preparing us for the game… I’m just thrilled I was able to assist this team win and execute when I needed to.”
The White Sox will look for their first series victory since taking two of three from the Washington Nationals in mid-May.
Chicago has the worst record in the majors, but the team’s young core provides reason for optimism.
Although the White Sox are on track for their worst season in franchise history, Garrett Crochet has emerged as one of the league’s greatest rookie pitchers. The 24-year-old left-hander, who struck out eight on Wednesday, has 124 strikeouts and is one behind Los Angeles Dodgers right-hander Tyler Glasnow for the major league record.
The White Sox are particularly impressed by the growth of 25-year-old catcher Korey Lee.
“It’s coming along,” said Lee, who is currently batting.246 with six home runs and 18 RBIs in 57 games, including two hits on Wednesday. “Every day, I learn something new, whether it is pitch sequencing or communication with the pitcher. Just the confidence in the game-calling, knowing our pitchers and what we have to do each day.”
Chris Flexen (2-6, 5.35 ERA) will start for Chicago on Thursday. The 29-year-old right-hander suffered a loss to the Arizona Diamondbacks in Phoenix on Friday, lasting only 3 1/3 innings and allowing six runs (four earned) on nine hits.
Flexen has made nine career starts versus Houston, going 1-6 with a 4.71 ERA.
Leave a Reply