Houston Astros (39-54) at Chicago White Sox (45-51), 7:10 p.m. (CST)
TV: CSN Houston, MLB.TV
Radio: KBME 790 AM, KLAT 1010 AM
White Sox SBNation Blog:
Pitching matchup
RHP Scott Feldman (4-6, 4.33 ERA, 1.37 WHIP) vs. RHP Jose Quintana (5-7, 3.24 ERA, 1.20 WHIP)
Preview
The matchup between the White Sox and Astros still brings back distant memories of a fall classic gone bye. The realization of playing in the same league now only compounds those feelings of dread and woe. Jose Altue and Jose Abreau aim to change the storyline with their impressive play this season. Atluve leads the league in hit (130), and is in the top-five in doubles (29) and stolen bases (41). Altuve is batting .381 with 17 stolen bases in his last 17 games. While Abreau is third in the American League in OPS (.972) and RBIs (73), while leading the league in home runs (29) and slugging (.630). This will be the first time the Astros see Abreau, who was sidelined for in May starting with a roadtrip to Houston at the time.
Veteran Scott Feldman takes the mound for the Astros to lead them into the second half of the season. Feldman's stats in July leaves something be desired on the whole - 11.1 IP, 17 H, 9 ER, 3 BB, 8 K. But, he did hold the Angels to just two over six innings in his first start of July. The Red Sox chewed him up earlier with the pitchcount in his final start before the All-Star break - allowing 11 hits and seven runs.
Tyler Fowlers should be happy to see Feldman, he is 5-for-9 with two doubles in his career against the Astros' righty. Alexei Ramirez, Adam Dunn, Alejandro De Aza, and Gordon Beckman don't have great track records against Feldman but they do have 15-plut at-bats against him in their careers.
Jose Quintana makes his second start agains the Astros this season - May 16 he held the Astros to two runs on seven hits over five innings. He has given up just three runs over his last 14.2 innings. At home he has a slightly higher ERA of 3.50, compared 3.06 on the road.
The Astros veterans Jason Castro and Matt Dominguez both have squared up Quintana well in their careers. Castro is 4-for-8 with two doubles. Matty D is 4-for-9 with one double. Houston is yet to homer in 53 at-bats against Quintana, so time to threw out the old chestnut that they are due.