Astros Joe Espada After a rocky stretch in their recent homestand where they won just four of nine games, the Houston Astros have bounced back with a strong performance as they prepare to host the Chicago White Sox on Friday for the start of a three-game weekend series.
The Astros concluded a successful 8-1 road trip with a dramatic 2-1, 10-inning win over the Tampa Bay Rays on Wednesday. Following a sweep of the Boston Red Sox, the Astros completed another sweep of the Rays, extending their winning streak to eight games. This surge has increased their lead over the Seattle Mariners in the American League West to three games, thanks to the Mariners’ 2-1 loss to Detroit on Thursday. Just two months ago, the Astros were trailing the Mariners by 10 games on June 19.
Houston’s upcoming six-game homestand offers a chance to continue their impressive form. They will enter the series against the White Sox with their best record of the season, 10 games over .500.
Astros manager Joe Espada praised the team’s recent performance, saying, “Heck of a road trip. We took care of business. We beat some really good teams on the road, and we played really well.
On Friday, rookie right-hander Spencer Arrighetti (5-10, 5.14 ERA) will take the mound for the Astros. Arrighetti struck out a career-high 13 batters in a 5-4 win over the Red Sox on Saturday, allowing just two runs on two solo homers and one walk over seven innings. This performance marked his third consecutive quality start, improving his record to 1-2 with a 2.84 ERA and 33 strikeouts over 19 innings during that stretch. His win against Boston ended a six-start winless streak.
Arrighetti faced the White Sox on June 20 but did not receive a decision, giving up three runs on five hits and four walks in 4 1/3 innings of the Astros’ 5-3 win.
The White Sox will counter with left-hander Garrett Crochet (6-9, 3.65 ERA), who is currently sixth in the majors with 167 strikeouts. Crochet has allowed three or more runs only three times in his last 18 starts, during which he is 5-5 with a 2.77 ERA and a .210 opponents’ batting average. Despite this solid stretch, he has struggled in his recent outings, going 0-4 with a 4.20 ERA in his last 10 starts.
Crochet will be making his third career appearance and second start against the Astros. He is 0-2 with a 5.68 ERA against them, including a 4-1 loss on June 19, where he gave up three runs on nine hits and one walk while striking out eight in six innings.
In their last game, the White Sox suffered a 10-2 defeat to the New York Yankees on Wednesday, despite holding a 2-1 lead heading into the seventh inning. Their bullpen faltered, with relievers Justin Anderson, Dominic Leone, Chad Kuhl, and Steven Wilson allowing nine runs while recording only seven outs.
White Sox interim manager Grady Sizemore defended his bullpen, stating, “I trust all those guys. It wasn’t their night; it happens with a good lineup. I thought we made some good pitches. You’re going to have those nights. They’ve been good the previous four games. It’s one of those things that happens.
