The Chicago White Sox and Houston Astros will play Friday night at Minute Maid Park. First pitch from Houston is at 8:10 p.m. ET. The Astros are -170 moneyline favorites and the total is 7.5 runs scored.
Chicago will send right-hander Lance Lynn to the mound for his first start of the season. The 35-year-old was 8-7 with a 3.99 ERA and 1.14 WHIP last year. Lynn is 5-7 in 14 career appearances versus the Astros with a 4.41 ERA and 98 strikeouts.
Houston will counter with Cristian Javier. The 26-year-old rising star was 11-9 with a 2.54 ERA, 194 strikeouts, and a 0.95 WHIP last season. He earned a win in his first career start versus the White Sox last season, giving up two hits and one earned run in five innings of work.
The Astros won the 2022 season series (4-3) with the White Sox. Chicago won three of th e first four games but Houston won the last two, including a 21-5 drubbing on August 18.
The 2022 White Sox were a disappointment, finishing 11 games behind AL Central champion Cleveland with an 81-81 record. It won't be easier to overtake the Guardians and hold Minnesota at bay this season, but Chicago could threaten for the division crown if it can stay healthy and play up to its potential.
The White Sox are led by shortstop Tim Anderson, who is the heart and soul of the team. When the 29-year-old is patrolling short, Chicago feels like it can play with anybody. After appearing in only 99 games last season, Anderson will be counted on to solidify the White Sox lineup and provide a steadying presence in the clubhouse with José Abreu gone. Yasmani Grandal, Eloy Jiménez, Luis Robert Jr., and Yoán Moncada provide the Sox with a threatening lineup when they're all available.
We've got something to prove.
Our new chapter starts ??????. pic.twitter.com/Cu8bS76Hti— Chicago White Sox (@whitesox) March 30, 2023
If it feels like Friday's starter Lynn has been around forever, he has. This will be his 13th big league season with his fifth team, and following an impressive showing at the World Baseball Classic, he's out to prove he's underrated.
“If you need last year to have a chip on your shoulder, then you got one,” Lynn said. “I've had one my whole life.”
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