Game No. 150 Preview: Houston Astros vs. Chicago White Sox

Houston Astros (91-58) vs. Chicago White Sox (60-89), Sept. 19, 2017, 7:10 PM CT

TV: ATT SportsNet SW
Radio: KBME 790 AM, La Nueva 94.1 FM
Online: MLB.TV, MLB.com Free Game of the Day
White Sox SBNation Blog: South Side Sox

Pitching Matchup

RHP Collin McHugh (2-2, 3.61 ERA, 1.27 WHIP, .298 BABIP, 4.85 xFIP) vs. RHP Lucas Giolito (2-2, 2.56 ERA, 0.95 WHIP, .160 BABIP, 4.53 xFIP)

Preview

One job is done for the Houston Astros. The Astros are the 2017 AL West Champions. But one more job still needs to be completed: Can the Astros catch the Indians in the AL standings?

The Astros are only 1 ¹⁄₂ games behind the Indians the AL standings. A three-game series against the White Sox can go a long way to finding out if up for the task. The White Sox is a young, talented team that is far inferior to the current version of the Astros.

In game one, Collin McHugh makes his first start since dealing with fingernail issue on his thrown hand. The nail came off the nailbed on his middle finger but McHugh appears ready to pitch now.

McHugh had a strong return after dealing with dead arm issues to start the season, he was 2-2 with a 2.94 ERA in six starts during August. He had his shortest start in 2017 in his one September start, allowing three runs on four hits over three innings against Oakland.

McHugh is 0-4 with a 5.79 ERA in four career starts against the White Sox, including seven earned runs allowed over 5 1/3 innings in 2017.

Lucas Giolito was key in the Adam Eaton trade with the Nationals. He is making his sixth career major league start with the White Sox. He is 1-1 with a 2.41 in three previous September starts.