The Houston Astros enter Thursday's game coming off of a huge shutout win. Hayden Wesneski gave the Astros the length they desperately needed. He was able to give the Astros seven shutout innings, allowing just one hit while striking out five and walking two.
A.J. Blubaugh worked around trouble in the eighth to hold on to the lead, and Josh Hader came in to close things out in the ninth, his 22nd save of the season. Between Wesneski, Blubaugh, and Hader, the Astros had a dominant performance on the mound and were able to secure a shutout win.
The Astros have the opportunity to take three out of four Thursday night, and it would be the necessary boost they need to hold on to the division lead. The Astros are now 71-69, with the Rangers two games back. Another win would not only give them a little cushion, but it would also give them three back-to-back series wins.
As always, they need the pitcher to set the tone for the game in order to be successful. Lucky for Houston, they have their ace today.
Chicago White Sox @ Houston Astros
1:10 PM CT | Daikin Park
Chicago enters at 73-66, while Houston sits at 71-69, still holding onto the top spot in the AL West.
Hunter Brown (4-3, 3.33 ERA, 86 SO) takes the mound for Houston, and he's coming in hot. In his last outing against the Mets, he struck out 10 over 6⅔ innings, becoming the first Astros starter since Aug. 10 to work six full innings, a real sign of stability for a rotation that's needed length all season. Hunter Brown is the guy to deliver and set the tone.
Luis Castillo (4-10, 5.31 ERA, 106 SO) takes the mound for the White Sox. He's a three-time All-Star, but this has been the worst season of his career. Chicago acquired him from Seattle at the trade deadline hoping a change of scenery would turn things around, but it hasn't happened yet, he's posted a 5.89 ERA across his first four starts with his new team.
This is definitely something the Astros need to capitalize on. They have their ace, and they're up against someone who is struggling. That being said, you never know what you're going to get from this team. It's almost like they have a better chance losing to the easier opponent.
A win Thursday night would give the Astros a little cushion, and some serious confidence with three back-to-back series wins, especially since two of those teams were the Yankees and the White Sox. But it is never safe to assume with this team, so we will just have to wait and see.
