Chicago @ Houston preview
Minute Maid Park
Last Meeting ( Jun 10, 2012 ) Houston 11, Chi. White Sox 9
After salvaging the finale of their six-game road trip, the Houston Astros attempt to put together a winning streak when they host the Chicago White Sox in the opener of their four-game series on Friday. Houston, which was perfect on its previous six-game trek, lost the first five contests on its most recent trip before rallying for a 6-1 triumph at Seattle on Wednesday. The Astros scored all six of their runs in the ninth inning after totaling six over their previous five games.
Chicago kicks off a 10-game road trip in search of its fourth win in five contests after having Wednesday's series finale against the Toronto Blue Jays postponed due to rain. The White Sox won three in a row before suffering a 7-5 home loss to Toronto in 10 innings on Tuesday. Chicago was one out away from a fourth straight victory, but closer Addison Reed allowed a game-tying home run by Jose Bautista and Toronto took advantage of a wild pitch and an error to score twice in the 10th.
TV: 8:10 p.m. ET, WCIU (Chicago), Comcast SportsNet Houston
PITCHING MATCHUP: White Sox LH Chris Sale (5-4, 2.68 ERA) vs. Astros LH Erik Bedard (1-3, 5.34)
Sale is looking to rebound after suffering back-to-back losses to the Oakland Athletics. Before yielding four runs over 7 1/3 innings in his last outing, the 24-year-old allowed a total of two runs over 30 frames in his previous four starts. Sale dominated in his only career outing against Houston on June 9, 2012, scattering four hits over eight scoreless innings while striking out seven.
Bedard was handed his first loss since April 26 on Saturday as he surrendered six runs and eight hits over 4 2/3 innings at Kansas City. The 34-year-old veteran had gone 1-0 in his previous seven starts and allowed fewer than three runs in the previous six. Bedard, who has yet to receive a decision in five games - three starts - at home, is 3-2 with a 3.90 ERA in nine career outings against Chicago.
WALK-OFFS
1. The Astros are 1-38 when trailing after eight innings, thanks to Wednesday's ninth-inning rally.
2. Chicago DH Adam Dunn is 8-for-15 with four home runs and seven RBIs over his last four games.
3. Bedard has 64 career wins, while the rest of the Astros' rotation has combined for 65.
PREDICTION: White Sox 8, Astros 2