Chicago @ Houston preview
Minute Maid Park
Last Meeting ( Jun 14, 2013 ) Chi. White Sox 1, Houston 2
The Chicago White Sox vie for a rare road victory Saturday as they continue their series against the Houston Astros. Chicago has lost 10 of its last 11 contests away from home, including the opener of the four-game set on Friday. Adam Dunn gave the White Sox a lead with a sacrifice fly, but shortstop Alexei Ramirez made two critical errors in the fifth inning that led to both of Houston's runs and ace Chris Sale's third consecutive loss.
Jose Altuve recorded an RBI and two of the five hits registered by the Astros, who have won two in a row following a six-game losing streak. Houston has scored a total of 15 runs in eight games since posting an 11-7 victory over the Baltimore Orioles on June 5. The White Sox scored at least four runs in seven of their previous eight contests prior to Friday's one-run output.
TV: 7:15 p.m. ET, FOX
PITCHING MATCHUP: White Sox LH John Danks (1-2, 4.13 ERA) vs. Astros RH Lucas Harrell (4-7, 4.52)
Danks will be making his fifth start after beginning the season on the disabled list as he recovered from shoulder surgery. The 28-year-old is coming off a dominant outing on June 8, when he held the Oakland Athletics to one run and three hits over eight innings while retiring the final 21 batters he faced. Danks lost his only career start against Houston as he allowed four runs (three earned) in 5 2/3 frames on June 8, 2007.
Harrell has won only one of his last eight starts despite yielding fewer than two earned runs four times in that span. The 28-year-old limited the Kansas City Royals to two hits over seven scoreless innings on Sunday but was forced to settle for a no-decision. Harrell surrendered five runs in 7 1/3 frames in his only career meeting with the White Sox on June 10, 2012, but picked up the victory.
WALK-OFFS
1. Chicago 1B Paul Konerko needs three home runs to tie Cal Ripken Jr. (431) for 42nd place on the all-time list, while Dunn is three blasts away from pulling even with Billy Williams (426) for 46th place.
2. Houston agreed to terms with RHP Andrew Thurman, its second-round pick in last week's First-Year Player Draft.
3. Danks is the second of four left-handers the White Sox have scheduled to start against the Astros.
PREDICTION: White Sox 4, Astros 2