Houston at Chicago (AL), 7:10 pm (CT)
TV: CSN Houston, MLB.TV
Radio: KBME 790 AM, KLAT 1010 AM
White Sox SBNation Blog:South Side Sox
Pitching Match
RHP Paul Clemens (4-4 / 6.36 ERA / 1.46 WHIP) vs. LHP Jose Quintana (7-4 / 3.76 ERA / 1.22 WHIP)
Preview
It's a strange feeling to watch the Astros win more then game a week, but I'm not complaining.
The Astros have ushered in the return of Pinky, better know as Paul Clemens.
Clemens is joining Houston's six-man rotation in place of Erik Bedard. This could mean happy trails to Bedard at the end of the season. More likely, the Astros are trying to find out what they have in the stables when it comes to pitching. Houston's farm system is bursting at the seems with prospects, which will result in a few quality players left exposed in the Rule-5 draft. Better to find out now, instead of when they are wearing another team's jersey.
It's only appropriate that Clemens pitches after a fellow member of the Michael Bourne trade, Brett Oberholtzer. As a starter in Triple-A Oklahoma City this season, Clemens was 3-2 with a 4.50 ERA over six starts. In his most recent start, he gave up seven earned runs over five innings in Round Rock on August 22. Four of those runs came off a grand slam by Chris McGuiness.
In May and June, Clemens recorded scoreless outings in 11 in of his 19 appearances. Before returning to the minors, Clemens had an ERA of 17.55 in the month of July. He gave up at least one run in four of his six appears that month, including six over a third of inning against Toronto. During in his time in the majors, Clemens did make one appearance against the White Sox. He struck out Alejandro De Aza and gave up a double to Alexei Ramirez.
On the mound today for the White Sox is Jose Quintana. Quintana has a record of 3-2 with a 3.56 ERA since the All-Star break. Quintana has the most no-decision in the Majors this season, he currently at 15. In his most recent start, Quintana held the Royals to three runs over seven innings. He allowed four hits, walked one, and struck out seven. In his one start this season against the Astros on June 17, Quintana wasn't able to get out of the fifth inning. The Astros scored two runs over five hits and two walk; pushing the left-hander to 104 pitches in 4.2 innings.
The hot hitting Jason Castro is 2-for-3 with two double against Quintana. Brandon Barnes is also 2-for-3 in his career against tonight's White Sox starter. Jose Altuve checks in at 1-for-3 with two strikeouts. Chris Carter is has two walks in two plate appearances.