The Chicago White Sox will host the Houston Astros in the final four-game series on Thursday. Chicago entered this series as the more desperate team and answered the call winning 4-2 on Monday and 4-3 on Tuesday. Wednesday night's game was not complete at the time of this preview.
The Houston Astros lead the AL West by 11 games and are 2.5 games ahead of the Yankees for the top spot in the American League overall. The Astros are 17-13 in their last 30 games overall and in an excellent position dispute dropping the first two games in Chicago. The Astros bullpen is ranked second in MLB with a 3.04 ERA, but that's is where the Astros lost each of the previous two games.
Sliders are on the menu tonight. pic.twitter.com/bYx1nma8uF
— Houston Astros (@astros) August 17, 2022
On Monday, Houston led 2-0 heading into the bottom of the 8th inning before the White Sox scored four runs, with Rafael Montero allowing three hits, two walks, and three runs without retiring a batter. On Tuesday, the White Sox scored two runs in the seventh off Justin Verlander to tie the game at 3-3. Hector Neris came on in the bottom of the 8th and lost the game, allowing one run on two hits and a walk.
Houston has five players who have played in over 100 games this season, led by Yordan Alvarez (31 HR, 75 RBI), Kyle Tucker (21 HR, 77 RBI, 18 SB), and Jose Altuve (20 HR, 42 RBI, 10 SB). Alex Bregman (16 HR, 66 RBI) has been especially hot batting .337 with 20 RBI in his last 25 games.
Luis Garcia will be starting the series finale for Houston. Garcia is 9-8 with a 4.03 ERA and 1.13 WHIP this season. He is just 2-5 in 10 road starts but has a 3.07 ERA in those games. In one career start against the White Sox, Garica is 1-0 with a 1.29 ERA.&# 13;